SIMA’s SUMMER JAZZ 2018 at The Sound Lounge (Seymour Centre)

and Foundry 616 (Harris Street, Ultimo)

SIMA’S 2018 Summer Jazz presents an exceptional program of music at the Sound Lounge in the Seymour Centre along with an additional show at Foundry 616. Once again SIMA’s artistic director Zoe Hauptmann has assembled some wonderful musicians from both Sydney and interstate in a series of nights that explore the wide world of jazz. As Zoe herself explains:

“Expect to hear celebrated Australian jazz musicians, improvisers and outstanding up and coming young artists.”

With the season already underway following a standout performance from pianist and composer Felix Bornholdt there are six more opportunities to catch some truly exciting and inspiring music.

The Sound Lounge has long been one of Sydney’s favourite jazz venues with its superb acoustics and atmospheric nightclub setting. It’s fully licensed and has all the ambience of a classic basement style jazz club. Foundry 616 in Ultimo needs no introduction and has quickly cemented itself as Sydney’s leading jazz venue.

All feature artists start at 9.00pm with the opening artists at 8.00pm

Book for all shows and access the full Summer Jazz program at: www.sima.org.au

THE SOUND LOUNGE:

Saturday 20 January – MATT McMAHON TRIO – 20TH ANNIVERSARY PERFORMANCE: One of Australia’s finest jazz pianist and long time Eastside presenter Matt McMahon joins bassist Jono Brown and drummer Simon Barker to celebrate twenty years of making music together. As a trio, their music embraces song forms, original jazz pieces and the influence of many traditions as vehicles for collective musical conversation.

Opening the night ADRIAN LIM-KLUMPES (from the bands Tangents and Triuosk) explores the colours of prepared piano resonance and live electronic manipulations.

THE SOUND LOUNGE:

Saturday 27 January – SANDY EVANS TRIO – ‘CHANGING TIMES’: Aria Award-winning composer, saxophonist SANDY EVANS presents her new work ‘Changing Times’ with her longstanding trio of bassist BRETT HIRST and drummer TOBY HALL. Prepare to be awestruck by modern mastery, soaring saxophone lines and transcendental rhythms. The trio have performed to sell-out audiences at the prestigious JazzFest Berlin.

There’s a brilliant start to the evening when ANDREW ROBSON on alto saxophone and PAUL CUTLAN on bass clarinet present ‘Simpatico’. Expect captivating stories, spontaneous compositions and a universe of possibilities.

THE SOUND LOUNGE:

Saturday 3 February – FIVE BELLS (VIC), SONGS IN THE KEY OF AL: Since the legendary jazz drummer Allan Browne passed away, the remaining four members of the Allan Browne Quintet have been developing a new repertoire under the name ‘Five Bells’. As the Allan Browne Quintet they recorded five acclaimed albums, many of which took cues from literary works such as The Drunken Boat and Homer’s Odyssey. Now, in its first performance outside Melbourne, Five Bells is honoured to present ‘Songs in the Key of Al’ – a musical response to the poems and musings of Al himself – drummer, bandleader, composer, poet, and “the single most important jazz musician that Melbourne has ever produced” (Paul Grabowsky). With EUGENE BALL trumpet, PHIL NOY alto saxophone, GEOFF HUGHES guitar and NICK HAYWOOD double bass.

“Toward the end of his life, Allan suggested that he and I might perform some poems together at Wangaratta Jazz Festival…” In fulfilment of an old promise, writer JOHN CLARE opens the evening by performing some of his close friend Allan’s “witty and highly musical poetry”, while drummer EVAN MANNELL improvises textural and rhythmic dimensions.

THE SOUND LOUNGE:

Saturday 10 February – STEVE BARRY QUARTET – BLUEPRINTS & VIGNETTES ALBUM LAUNCH: Award-winning pianist, organist, composer and improviser STEVE BARRY presents his new album, ‘Blueprints & Vignettes’, a meeting point of classical modernism and melodic lyricism. With an all star band featuring STEVE BARRY piano and composition, JEREMY ROSE alto saxophone and bass clarinet, THOMAS AVGENICOS trumpet, MAX ALDUCA bass and DAVE GOODMAN drums.

JENNA CAVE and KEYNA WILKINS open the evening with ‘For This Moment’, a new collaboration between these two highly regarded musicians. Jenna is best known as director and resident composer of the 18-piece Divergence Jazz Orchestra, Keyna for her ground breaking Ephemera Trio. With Keyna on flute and Jenna playing alto saxophone, voice and loop pedal.

FOUNDRY 616:

Saturday 17 February – ANDREA KELLER, TIM WILSON and CHRISTOPHER HALE (VIC):

ANDREA KELLER and TIM WILSON have been performing together for over 20 years in ensembles such as the Bennett’s Lane Big Band and Paul Williamson Sextet. Their second duo recording, ‘Consider This’, won the 2017 Jazz ‘Bell Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. In this concert, Andrea and Tim are joined by new collaborator, virtuoso bass guitarist and “Australian jazz heavyweight” (Rhythms Magazine) CHRISTOPHER HALE. They’ll showcase solo, duo and trio performances. ANDREA KELLER piano, TIM WILSON alto saxophone, CHRISTOPHER HALE bass guitar

LAURENCE PIKE is best known for his duo albums with Mike Nock and his groups PVt and Triosk. Laurence has recently been developing a singular language alone at the drum kit, using the sampler to expand its sonic potential. Discard conventional notions of the role of the drummer, and explore an ecstatic musical space as he opens the night at 8pm.

THE SOUND LOUNGE:

Saturday 24 February – REUBEN LEWIS & I HOLD THE LION’S PAW (VIC), ‘ABSTRACT PLAYGROUNDS’ ALBUM LAUNCH: Led by Melbourne improviser and composer REUBEN LEWIS, I Hold the Lion’s Paw represents a larger collective that has made music together for several years, exploring the in-betweens of groove, group improvisation and transient compositional forms. Expect to hear anything from harmonious free-floating melodies, electro-acoustic noise, slowly shifting tectonic plates of sound, grungy grooves, afro-beat and free jazz. Featuring REUBEN LEWIS trumpet and composer, GEOFF HUGHES guitar, FREYA SCHACK-ARNOTT cello, DAVID BROWN electric bass, RONNY FERELLA drums and special guests.

DAMIAN WRIGHT and JAMES HAUPTMANN (BANDALUZIA). Acclaimed modern flamenco ensemble Bandaluzia is led by guitarist DAMIAN WRIGHT and features one of our most in demand jazz drummers in percussionist JAMES HAUPTMANN. Previously awarded “the Pick of the Sydney Fringe”, this will be an experience “like travelling, without moving your feet” (Lloyd Bradford Syke).

What: SIMA Summer Series 2018

Where: Sound Lounge & Foundry 616

When: 13 Jan to 24 February  2018

To Find Out More & To Book Online Click Here