Craig Scott and Brendan Clarke

Double-bassists.  Double double bass.  The gentlemen of the F clef.

It's the last in our explorations of improvising duets, and we're finishing on a low note.  Expect the resonant deep tones and sit back and enjoy the vibrations.

You heard it right folks, it's a duo of double bass.

“Steven Barry, a young New Zealander, has brought his dazzling skills as a pianist and composer to Sydney. He shrugged aside cliche, deployed scintillating articulation, and gave his colleagues such ingenious raw material as the Bartok-inspired Clusters. Boneham's solos were a lesson in how vigour may be harnessed to sensitivity, while Firth layered rhythmic puzzles into the grooves without rendering them academic, and soloed with panache...” John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald

Steve Barry crossed the ditch in early 2009 and has quickly become one of Sydney’s most sought-after pianists, having worked with many prominent Australasian and international artists including John Hollenbeck (USA), Theo Bleckmann (USA), George Coleman Jr. (USA), Arun Luthra (USA), Tricia Evy (FRA) and the Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra.

Joined by the heavyweight rhythm section of Alex Boneham on bass and the incredibly sympathetic Cam Reid on drums, the Steve Barry Trio focuses on lyrical melodies, deep grooves and group interaction, and demonstrates a unique collective rapport.

Steve Barry (piano) Alex Boneham (bass) Cameron Reid (drums)

Possibly Australia's most influential living jazz musican, Judy has taught and performed with generations of performers, helping to create the sound and culture of Sydney's jazz scene.  It's more than two years since they last played for us, and the ABC has just released a 4CD box set of Judy's recording projects.  She will play for us with her long-time trio : Craig Scott on bass and Tim Firth on drums.

STOP PRESS! Tim Firth has injured his arm, so it's another duet!

John and Brendan, both steeped in the jazz tradition, great improvisers who have worked together for years, will perform this very rare duet show.  2 sets of Jazz and Bebop compositions, mixed with Standards from the Great American Songbook.

It's Liz Frencham, totally solo.

Since Jigzag's huge final show at Notes last year Liz hasn't played her own songs in Sydney.  Bring your wine and chocolate for a night of heart-warming songs and that most rare and beautiful thing, a girl standing alone with a double bass, singing.  This will be a preview of Liz's new solo album (recorded but not mastered), and a small peak into next years "you & me vol 2".

LizFrencham.com

Hewetson.  McMahon.  Slater.  Barker.
need i say more? ok i will...

Alexander Hewetson, the original bass player in the highly successful 90’s jazz groove outfit D.I.G, also played and recorded with funksters Swoop between 1992 and 1998.  With Climbing Tree he brings his unconstrained grooves and evocative compositions to three of the defining voices of Sydney's jazz scene, trumpeter Phil Slater, pianist Matt McMahon and drummer Simon Barker.

Climbing Tree launched their debut album Tree Music with us back in february 2009 and have been regular visitors ever since.  I love them.  This music is good.  really really good.  if you're think trumpets are too loud, or bands without singers aren't interesting, or modern jazz is boring, come and have your mind changed.

here's what they say:

Climbing Tree are very happy to be back at Colbourne Ave, looking forward to the warm surroundings and friendly atmosphere of Café Church. Climbing Tree’s debut album Tree Music showcases Alexander Hewetson’s talent as a composer with the highly evocative music featuring all original compositions. Alexander’s group showcases three of Australia’s finest musicians in trumpeter Phil Slater, pianist Matt McMahon and drummer Simon Barker, with whom he previously played for about ten years in the group Baecastuff. The group played an integral part in the arrangements and Alexander notes that “sometimes the arranging and writing becomes one and the same thing, especially with such great musicians as these.”

Tim and Mark both used to live in Sydney.  then they both left.  they've since performed together at Pori Jazz and Umbria Jazz and in Melbourne, but this will be the first time they've hunted on their old turf for the beautiful equality only an improvising duet can bring.

"even in a country so richly endowed with superior jazz pianists, Tim Stephens is one of those at the very top of the pile" john shand

with his old friends Spike Mason (sax), Richard Maegraith (sax), Tim Firth (drums)

We love it when Mark comes home for a visit.  He says his new album, Centrical, "moves freely from beautifull stripped down ballads to aggressive, distorted horn textures and loops" - they are playing different aspects of the music at Jazzgroove on Tuesday and everyone's favourite secret Jazz venue on Wednesday - on Thursday we're getting the beautiful stripped down set, see if you can get to all three!

Rodrigo studied bass, electric bass, and composition at the University of Brazilia, Escola de Musica de Brazillia, and the Conservatoruium of Gustav Hitter.

In this country, you're most likely to have seen him with Lolo Lovina. That would have made you very happy, but this is a rare chance to hear him close up.

The third in our series of bands led by bass players:

Possibly Australia's best female double bass player, with heartwrenching songs and a voice like honey. Now working in Melbourne, Liz will be joined by local pianist Nick Southcott and Newcastle guitarist Robbie Long (current Australian flat-pick guitar champion) for an evening of stupendous revelations and unearthly delights.