One of the great jazz suites to have emerged from Sydney in recent years : A modern music show based on the story, music and culture that developed as a direct consequence of the Mutiny on the Bounty and the clash of Tahitian and English cultures which developed into the language and song of the of the Pitcairn and Norfolk islanders.

http://www.mutinymusic.org/ 

Rick Robertson – Soprano and Tenor Saxophone
Phil Slater – Trumpet
Matt McMahon – Piano, Fender Rhodes Piano, Hammond Organ
Alexander Hewetson – Acoustic and Fender Bass
Simon Barker – Drums and Log Drums
Aykho Akhrif – Percussion

Chuck is a legend of the Sydney jazz scene.

It's his 80th birthday.  His last concert was at Colbourne Ave one year ago, the week of his 79th.  Unfortunately since then his shoulder has become so painful that he can't play any more.  So, to celebrate Chuck's birthday, and his contribution to the Sydney scene, we've invited some of Sydney's great pianists to perform in his honour, along with his long-time collaborator James Ryan:

Jex Saarelaht (flying up from Melbourne for the occasion)
Kevin Hunt
Adrian Keevil
Matt McMahon

Hopefully the man himself will show up.  

With her roots firmly planted in the fertile ground that lies between soul and jazz, Virna Sanzone has long been regarded as one of this country’s finest singers. Renowned for her heart on sleeve lyrics and her remarkable improvisational approach, Virna has worked with a broad spectrum of Australian greats, from Paul Kelly to Paul Capsis. 

She will be accompanied by one of her conservatorium compatriots, Matt McMahon.  Voice and piano.  jazz.

About the music:

The ensemble plays original material by the composer, drawing on stylistic influences ranging from melodic explorations of Ornette Coleman, harmonic forms of Wayne Shorter, modal inventions of Miles Davis and hard-bop progressions of Joe Henderson to culminate in a unique jazz quintet sound.

About the members:

Alfredo Lopes (Leader/Composer/Saxophone)

Alfredo Lopes has been involved performing and writing jazz repertoire since his studies at Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 1993. He is now working on a Doctorate of Musical Arts at Queensland Conservatorium of Music, working with jazz composer and educator, Dr Stephen Newcomb. He has worked with and co-led music ensembles with some of Australia’s best jazz musicians including: George Golla, Judy Bailey, Craig Scott, Alan Turnball, Mark Isaacs, Paul Mac Namara, Bernie Mc Gann, John Morrison, Jeff Usher, Matt Mc Mahon, Sean Wayland, Jan Rutherford, Cathy Harley and Sharny Russell.

Mike Kenny (Trumpet)

Since completing an Associate Diploma in Jazz Studies at the Sydney Conservatorium in 1992, Michael has become a recognised artist on the local jazz scene; performing with the likes of Mike Nock, Judy Bailey, Rod White, Tim Oram Big Band, Son Veneno, Club Havana, Buzz Band and Wycliffe Gordon (USA). As band leader and principal composer, Mike formed the ten-piece jazz ensemble Selah in 1995. Selah produced two CDs and toured country NSW, Victoria, and overseas to Turkey in 2001 and Kazakhstan in 2002. This year Mike will release a live album with sextet – ‘Mike Kenny’s Lab Band’.

Matt Mc Mahon (Piano)

Matt McMahon is a pianist/keyboardist /composer based in Australia. He leads the Matt McMahon Trio and co-leads "Band of Five Names" with Phil Slater and Simon Barker. Matt won the national Jazz award in 1999 and the Freedman Jazz Fellowship in 2005. He has played/recorded with Dale Barlow, Greg Osby, Phil Slater, Katie Noonan, Vince Jones, Bobby Previte, Dave Panichi, Steve Hunter, Jazzfolk, Guy Strazzullo and many others, playing at concerts and festivals throughout Australia and Asia. His recent albums include Paths and Streams and Ellipsis, both recorded for the Kimnara label.

Jonathon Brown (Double Bass)

Over a number of years, Jonathon Brown has worked as a freelance bassist in the Sydney music scene. He has been a member of the Matt McMahon trio for fifteen years, playing some memorable performances at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Sydney Opera House, and Jazz in the Domain. He has also played with Mark Issacs, Dale Barlow, Zac Hurren, Katie Noonan, Stephen Magnusson and Steve Clisby.

Troy Lever (Drums):

In one combination or another, Troy has played with a multitude of veterans of the Sydney jazz scene and taught in correspondingly respected institutions. After a virtual hiatus of some years and inspired by all sources of passionate, pursuant musical erudition, Troy emerges yet again to combine his explorations in this fresh group of old friends.

Listen to Alfredo here : alfredo.bandcamp.com

This year, Matt released his first album of solo piano pieces, paying tribute to his (greatgreat) grandparents, William and Mary. It's great. Matt has won the Wangaratta award and the Freedman fellowship, and lectures in piano at the Sydney Conservatorium. 

Gary is a magical piano and accordion player, whose two recent projects "Sanctuary" and "Bungarribee" have brought focus to his composing and band-leading talents. This week we're going to remember what a simply amazing player he is.

Passionfruit Trio is an electro-acoustic guitar/piano/percussion group that engages its audience with infectious rhythms, compelling melodies and inspired improvisations through a unique exploration of Afro-Brazilian-jazz-funk possibilities. A performance at Wangaratta Jazz Festival was described by John Shand as: "Electrifying" S.M.H. Audiences have described the trio performances as ‘superlative’ or with comments such as ‘ your music make me happy’.

The trio includes multi-awarded master guitarist/composer Guy Strazz, renowned pianist/composer Matt McMahon and percussionist/composer Fabian Hevia. Repertoire include works by Miles Davis, Tania Maria, Gismonti, Pixinguinha, Hermeto and the trio.

They are joined by the gifted singer, Edo Santoni, whose musical connection to Strazz and McMahon is deeply rooted through Guy’s Passionfruit band, and Edo’s own projects. Guy and Matt’s debut album, 2@1, was released on the Birdland label and received an AIR Nomination  for best jazz release in 2009.  A rare opportunity to enjoy this superb band in the intimacy, and relaxed atmosphere of the church.

The program includes works by Miles Davis, Tania Maria, Gismonti, Pixinguinha, Hermeto and the trio.

It is easy for piano and guitar to trip over each other harmonically, but these two, amongst the most lyrical players in the land, sing from the same hymn book. John Shand SMH.

Music at its most fundamental and most thrilling SIMA.

One of the numerous beautiful themes is Zawi, an ode to pianist Jo Zawinul, where a flowing, unobtrusive melody achieves a carefully cultivated sense of peaceful relaxation. John McBeath, The Australian

www.facebook.com/passionfruittrio

A rare chance to hear a duet project Matt and Christina put together a few years ago.

Astor Piazzolla was a prolific writer of ‘Neuvo Tango’ and drew from a wide range of influences including folksong, jazz, dance music and contemporary harmony. The six ‘Tango Etudes’ for alto saxophone were written shortly before his death. Only recently has a sketch for its harmonization been discovered. Tango ognaT’ uses Piazzolla’s music as a launching pad to explore, dissect and reconstruct the Tango and its influences with a distinctly Australian flavour.  Featuring original compositions by Matt as well as arrangements of folk and dance music with origins as diverse as Ireland and Argentina,  ‘Tango ognaT’, is neuvo Australian Tango for alto saxophone and piano.

Matt McMahon (piano)
Christina Leonard (alto sax)

Two of Australia’s most acclaimed contemporary instrumentalists and long time collaborators, Guy Strazz and Matt McMahon, present a program of acoustic jazz for guitar and piano. They are joined by the gifted singer, Edo Santoni, whose musical connection to Strazz and McMahon is deeply rooted through Guy’s Passionfruit band, and Edo’s own projects. Guy and Matt’s debut album, 2@1, was released on the Birdland label and received an AIR Nomination  for best jazz release 2009.  A rare opportunity to enjoy this trio project in its making in the intimacy, and relaxed atmosphere of the church.

"It is easy for piano and guitar to trip over each other harmonically, but these two,  amongst the most lyrical players in the land, sing from the same hymn book”.
John Shand SMH.

“Music at its most fundamental and most thrilling”
SIMA.

“One of the numerous beautiful themes is Zawi, an ode to pianist Jo Zawinul, where a flowing, unobtrusive melody achieves a carefully cultivated sense of peaceful relaxation”.
John McBeath, The Australian

Spike Mason on sax, Matt McMahon on piano.  Two great musicians with a long history of playing together and a deep love of improvised music.  Matt and Spike can both draw from a huge catalogue of standards and each has a long list of original compositions.  It is an important day for me, and I know it will be a perfect night of music.