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
