Master guitarist and experimental composer, Guy Strazz, returns with the exciting Eastern Blues Quartet to Colbourne Ave.  Experimental jazz nuanced with Indian classical music and Latin funk where the scintillating sounds of two guitars are driven by a hard swinging, vibrant rhythm section.

Comments from last month’s performance at Jazzgroove:

‘EBQ - Blending aspects of jazz, Indian, blues and Latin music. In fact, the word "aspects" is probably redundant, so completely are the component parts integrated, providing the players with unique rhythmic and melodic fields upon which to unleash their improvising skills’.  J. Shand SMH

‘Oh. My. God!’ Ben Panucci, director @ Jazzgroove

‘Brilliant!’ David Rasko (spectator and guitarist)


Eastern Blues takes influence from Ravi Shankar and the Coltranes to name just a few - an approach coupled with a strong sense of the improvisational elements of Indian music.
Impressive **** Jazz & Beyond

 
"Guy Strazz is amongst the most lyrical players in the land, the influence of the Indian sitar tradition can be traced beside that of the the combustive fire of Brazil and the explosive virtuosity of the likes of John McLaughlin and Egberto Gismonti" - John Shand, The Sydney Morning Herald.

Guy Strazz – electric guitar   
Aaron Flower – electric guitar   
Toby Hall – drum-kit   
Hugh Fraser – electric bass   

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

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

Guy Strazz: acoustic & electric guitars
Aaron Flower: electric guitar
Hugh Fraser: bass
Toby Hall: drums

Innovative master guitarist & composer, Guy Strazz, is in fine company for the launch of his new CD, Eastern Blues, with players such as Aaron, Hugh and Toby. This synergetic band will present a type of cross-cultural art-music improvisation and composition derived from  Latin jazz, funk and Indian music; influences that are integral musical expression of the Strazz World Jazz sound.

Currently completing a PhD on improvisation, his stellar career has seen him perform at national and international jazz festivals and receive APRA, AIR and IAP nominations and an APRA award as well as the Australia Council Music Fellowships. Read more at guystrazz.com, or check the great story while you listen at myspace.com/guystrazzmusic.


Performance time: one set only, followed by CD signing party afterwards
(BYO) anything you like - dinner, snacks, beverages, friends (glasses provided).

We hope that you can join us to celebrate this special occasion.

Playing Jazz spiced with Afro-Brazilian rhythms, the band includes long time collaborator and bass man, Hugh Fraser; distinguished emerging guitarist, Aaron Flower and American percussionist Chris Field.  Read more at guystrazz.com, or check the great story while you listen at myspace.com/guystrazzmusic

This is a special one-off FRIDAY concert, to celebrate the birthdays of Guy and Aaron!