SIMA presents The Colours of Jazz: NOW

Journey with us through the vibrant colours of jazz, from textural sonic exploration, high energy grooves and exhilarating spontaneous dialogue, through to evocative meditations on melody & rhythm.

Within the stunning Utzon Room, two new world premieres from Paul Cutlan and Novak Manojlovic reveal the expansive nature and colour of jazz today, and alludes to the possibilities of where it could take you.

The event takes place July 23rd at the Sydney Opera House, featuring Novak Manojlovic “PLACES, PEOPLE” and Paul Cutlan trio Trichromy “Colour Therapy”.

Trichromy’s “Colour Therapy”

Over the last 10 years, multi-instrumentalist Paul Cutlan has focussed his creative energies as a leader on larger groups — either showcasing his writing for strings, or exploring the repertoire of jazz giants like Coltrane or Eric Dolphy. For his first dedicated trio in almost 20 years, Paul is collaborating with two eclectic and talented young artists — bassist Jacques Emery and drummer/percussionist Holly Connor. They each excel in traversing a spectrum of sound-worlds, from meditative sonic exploration, through to elaborate, high energy grooves. Through their interactions, this new trio Trichromy is dedicated to the exploration of beauty, colour, emotion and freedom.

Specially commissioned by SIMA and receiving its premier performance, Cutlan’s brand new suite “Colour Therapy” is a transportive work traversing layered sound worlds, leading the listener through a meditation on an intricate and varied colour mosaic.

Novak Manojlovic’s “PLACES, PEOPLE”

Novak Manojlovic is a Sydney-based pianist and composer. percussion. Inspired by a deep dive into chamber and film music, his album “PLACES, PEOPLE” is a collection of works that seek to consecrate memory into song. Here are devotionals to the places and people which prevail, and all that which does not go quietly.

This special performance will mark the vinyl release of their debut eponymous record, recorded at Eugene Goossens Hall and released on ABC Music in 2021. The ensemble will present the record in full – a contemporary, genre-spanning exploration which was “conjure[s] images before your eyes”. – John Shand, SMH.

The album features Manojlovic on piano and guitar, Yuhki Mayne and James Armstrong on violin, Beth Condon on Viola, Jack Ward on cello, and Jacques Emery on guitar and percussion. The ensemble will present the record in full – a contemporary, genre-spanning performance – as the official launch of the 2021 ABC Music release.