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Title: |
Affectations |
| Composer: |
Andrea Keller |
| Performed by: |
Bennetts Lane Big Band |
This is a wonderful example of the composer’s complete understanding of but not being restricted by the jazz idiom. Affectations throws off the shackles and is unpredictable. It has a great sense of exploration which keeps the listener curious and looking for more. Within the jazz framework, Andrea uses many different elements in interesting ways with the composed and performed elements beautifully integrated and all working towards the same end. Affectations is a superb example of the amazing musicianship and writing skills of this composer.
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Title: |
Dissolve for two pianos
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| Composer: |
Tom O’Halloran |
| Performed by: |
Tom O’Halloran and Graham Wood |
The judges highly commend the composer for this amazing integration of contemporary classical composition with jazz. It will no doubt attract both traditional classical and jazz audiences and musicians alike with future performances. Tom O’Halloran is an extraordinary figure on the Australian Jazz landscape and this is exemplified in the detail of this work. The playful starts ending in disintegration with different harmonic variations and the masterful integration of all elements make this a masterful work. There is a wonderful synthesis of the composed and improvised sections with creative ideas unfolding throughout.
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Title: |
Unknowness 1
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| Composer: |
Peter Knight |
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Performed by
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Peter Knight (trumpet and laptop), Adam Simmons (contra bass clarinet),
Frank Di Sario (double bass), Erik Griswold (prepared piano), Vanessa
Tomlinson (percussion), Joe Talia (drum kit and electronics)
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The work displays great compositional skill with atmosphere and pace. It is a difficult piece to categorise and challenging but that is part of the joy of listening, not knowing what it is or where you are going but being taken on that journey. In Unknownness 1, the composer provides an excellent compositional framework whilst allowing the players’ improvisations to inform the composition. Peter Knight is making an important contribution to the future directions of jazz composition.
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Title: |
River Meeting Suite |
| Composer: |
Jeremy Rose |
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Performed by:
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Compass Saxophone Quartet plus Bobby Singh and Sarangan Sriranganthan
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This work demonstrates the composer’s interest in the cross over between jazz and new music. There is a true integration between the Indian music tradition and the jazz with each element informing the other. It draws on the history and the culture of the singer, crossing between the traditions of Indian, Jazz and Classical music styles. The composer provides a platform for the shared elements of improvisation in both Indian and western Jazz music and utilises sonic possibilities that are unique and beautiful.