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ABC Jazz Home > Features > Stonnington Jazz 2010 Wrap Up

Stonnington Jazz 2010 Wrap Up

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Jun 1, 2010 Updated Jul 26, 2010

Get the low-down on the recent Stonnington Jazz 2010. We've got some audience reviews and pictures from those lucky enough to attend.

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Here's a couple of listener reviews.....

McGann Brilliance - by Frank Williams

On paper this concert was one not to be missed with such a fantastic line up of Australian jazz talent playing in the one group.

From the beginning of the concert to the very end Bernie McGann on alto sax, Mark Fitzgibbon on piano, Sam Anning on double bass, Allan Browne on drums and Julien Wilson on tenor sax were "on fire" and thrilled the audience with riveting bebop style jazz.

The first set comprised tunes from Thelonious Monk, Paul Desmond and Bernie McGann's own composition "Spirit Song".
The second set comprised several tunes including Dizzy Gillespie's "Tin Tin Deo" and Bernie's own compositions "Brownsville" and "D-Day".

By closing your eyes and listening to the brilliance of Bernie it was easy to imagine that you were witnessing the bebop sounds of Charlie Parker and the smoothness of Paul Desmond with Bernie's own unique style all wrapped into one.

Bernie's trading of solos with Julien Wilson and all other members of the group throughout the concert were full of rhythm, expression, energy and excitement.

To pick a highlight of the evening would be Bernie's composition, "Brownsville". During this number Chapel off Chapel was "full on and pumping" with the brilliance of Bernie and his group confirmed by the huge applause at the end of this tune from the very appreciative audience.

Festival Review - by Elaine Kwok

Sometimes you get lucky and end up with way more than you hoped for... 'You Are My Sunshine', the most unlikely duet of Joe Chindamo on accordion and Lucky Oceans on pedal steel, turned the Malvern Town Hall crowd inside out.

That's the special gift of jazz, free-styling talent talking in musical rhymes, stringing together sublime and magical sounds in moments of invention. Several memories stand out among the many.

Joe Chindamo's Coen Brothers Project was stellar, their inventive interpretations of the music from the Coen Brothers' films simply fantastic. "Man of Constant Sorrow" rocked, the themes from "Fargo" and "Millers Crossing" tugged deep on emotions, while the trio of Joe, Lucky and Alex Pertout built a whole new "Hotel California" from their instrumental odd shop. Fantastic.

Tina Harrod had earlier taken the hall by storm, her soul-filled, heart on sleeve lyrics and urgently pointed delivery a counterpoint to the silky smooth nuances of her band. Their parting note, "Riverman", was a gem.

Ten Part Invention took to the stage to play their own compositions at Chapel off Chapel without bandleader and drummer John Pochee. As expected the ensemble's horns blew up a storm, but stand-in drummer Ronnie Ferella (with no notice) was the show stealer, caressing the beat and driving the band like he'd played with them for the last 24 years. His two-part rhythmic dance with pianist Paul McNamara simply unforgettable.

Way Out West lived up to their name, bridging cultures, beats and tones. Their opening track began with Dung Nguyen on Dan Bau, think seductive Vietnamese monochord meeting a whammy bar, if you can. The musical eclectica continued with Dung on Moon Guitar and Dahn Tranh. Ray Pereira's percussive colours filled out this fragrant mix.
District Six explored a series of rolling motifs before breaking loose on "A Curious Anomaly" and taking a new direction on "The Light and the Breeze".

Bernie McGann shoehorned rocking riffs from his alto sax, the standout being "Tin Tin Deo" in homage to Dizzy.

Stonnington's Jazz Festival was a week and a half of treats, superbly presented by Stonnington's team. Kick yourself if you missed it.

Chindamo Charms with Coen Brothers Project - by Frank Williams

The support act for this fine concert was the very soulful Tina Harrod from Sydney. Tina excited the audience with original tunes and powerful lyrics from her albums 'Worksongs' and 'Temporary People'. Tina's style has been compared to the legendry Nina Simone and this was evident with the emotion and expression Tina gave to each of her songs.

Tina's band consisted of the remarkable talent of Jex Saarelaht on piano, Jonathan Zwartz on bass and Hamish Stuart on drums. The delightful solo performances by Jex, Jonathan and Hamish added to an enjoyable first half of the concert.

This Joe Chindamo performance was a Coen Brothers movie theme spectacular with wonderful performances by Joe on piano and accordion, Kristian Winther on violin, Lucky Oceans on steel guitar, Geoff Hughes on acoustic and electric guitar, Sam Anning on bass, Ray Jayaweera on drums and Alex Pertout on percussion.

All the tunes were arranged by Joe and performed perfectly by all members of this fabulous line-up of talent. Even bluegrass music made the wonderfully diversified song list.

Of all the themes played 'You Are My Sunshine' stood out as a highlight with the sounds of the steel guitar played by Lucky Oceans. I personally would like to have heard more solo from the steel guitar as it is such a delightful sounding instrument.

Joe and his band received a standing ovation from the appreciative full house audience rewarded by a beautiful solo medley performance by Joe on piano to close another memorable Stonnington Jazz concert.

Hard Swingers Rock Chapel off Chapel - by Frank Williams

The first half of this concert was the delightful Sarah McKenzie and her Sextet.
This was my first experience seeing Sarah McKenzie and she immediately won me over with her fine jazz singing and piano playing.

Sarah is a young Diana Krall, with a great singing style, swinging piano and a lovely personality to match. Her band was very impressive and in the groove. I particularly liked the playing of Hugh Stuckey on electric guitar, who performed some great solos in similar style to Diana Krall's guitarist, Anthony Wilson.

It was obvious that Sarah has a great love of the playing by her bassist Sam Anning. Sam's playing was to his normal high standard and he will be missed when he moves shortly to the USA to advance his career as a world class bass player.

Highlights were Ella Fitzgerald's jazz standard, 'You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To', and Sarah's own compositions, 'Don't Take Me' and 'I Have The Blues Tonight'.

Sarah joked with the audience as to which band attracted the full house for this concert. In my view you won Sarah!

The second half of this concert was Paul Williamson and Friends which did not disappoint with Paul's energetic and exciting tenor and baritone sax playing and his vocals.

The long standing Combo made up of Paul, Tim Neal on Hammond organ and Mike Jordan on drums played with their exciting upbeat rhythm. Paul's friend James Black (Rockwiz fame) joined the band on piano and guitar and added his enormous talent with brilliant piano solos.

The performance of other friends Ben Gillespie on trombone and Craig Fermanis on guitar added to a stellar performance by this high energy band. The guitar playing by Craig in the Percy Mayfield tune 'The Voice Within' was brilliant.
Paul's final friend to join the group to add even more energy to the session was the great Gil Askey on trumpet and vocals. Gil is now in his mid-eighties and continues to play and sing with enormous energy and to excite the audience in his 'Satchmo' style. Gil's enormous passion for music and his rendition of 'Wonderful World' never fails to draw the audience into participation.

Highlights were Paul Williamson's own composition, 'McGruff' and Paul's rendition of 'Red Hot Go' dedicated to the mighty Essendon Bombers being myself a Bomber supporter!