Music: Recent Episodes
Eastside Radio 89.7FM
We love the arts, jazz music, world music, the blues, soul music, Hip Hop, funk and electronic sounds. Many of our presenters and producers are working musicians, DJs, and artists at the forefront of Sydney’s creative music scene.
In this podcast you can listen to Alan Field interview me (Clara, Intern) about my experience at the station. And because when one intern leaves another arrives, the radio station welcomes Kate, who also speaks into Alan’s microphone. In French we say “Toutes les bonnes choses ont une fin”. This can be translated into “All [...]Read More... from Dis-Moi Au Revoir
Clayton Doley is an Australian musician and singer-songwriter, and an internationally renowned organist/keyboard player. For the last 10 years he has been touring around the world with his own projects as well as backing up others’. You can catch him and many other musicians playing at the Cronulla Jazz and Blues Festival from the 29th [...]Read More... from Interview With Clayton Doley on His New Album
David Theak is a respected saxophonist, composer and bandleader on the Australian Jazz Scene. He is a lecturer in the jazz unit at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. In his free time, he is also the artistic director of the Sydney Con Jazz Festival. David joined Matt McMahon and Dan Barnett from Blow to speak about the organisation of [...]Read More... from 2024 Sydney Con Jazz Fest Artistic Director
Mario Biondi is Italy’s number one soul singer and he is set to make his inaugural Australian tour in May 2024. He approached music at a very young age, debuting at 12, singing around Sicily. Later on he discovered his passion for Black Music in the albums of James Brown; Aretha Franklin; Earth Wind and Fire; Lou [...]Read More... from Mario Biondi Interview
Our own Aussie Winnie Su found her love for the piano at the age of 7 by listening to her neighbours playing next door. She was awarded her Licentiate Lmus.A Diploma at the age of 14, having made her concerto debut at 12. She has numerous awards to her name, not least of which is [...]Read More... from Alan Field Interviews Winnie Su On Monday Drive
Neil James Murray is one of the founding member of the Warumpi band that has performed for 20 years and produced 3 ground breaking albums and held down a successful solo career since 1989. He was awarded the 2017 Port Fairy Folk Festival Artist of the Year and is regarded as one of Australia’s finest singer songwriters. Neil [...]Read More... from Neil Murray from Wurumpi band
Australian vocalist and composer Gregg Arthur follows in the footsteps of Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, and Tony Bennett as one of the great interpreters of The Great American Songbook. He joined Eric Gyors and Virginia Lowe from Wenesday Drive to speak about his experience on stage, his last album and artists with whom he has [...]Read More... from Gregg Arthur’s Great American Songbook
Rebecca Scott combines a busy schedule of working as a music therapist and teaching privately with her role as a tutor for the Open Academy. She joined Dan Barnett from Blow to speak about the Open Academy program and her career as a musician and encourages anyone who wants to make music to sign up ! [...]Read More... from Rebecca Scott Vocal Coach @ The Con
PJ Morton is an uncommonly versatile soul singer, songwriter, performer and producer based in New Orleans. He is known for his own R&B, gospel, and pop albums, as well as extensive studio work for other performers. PJ Morton joined Joe Johnson from Love Soul to speak about his music mantra, his fascination with Prince and [...]Read More... from Interview with PJ Morton on Love Soul
Hamed Sadeghi is a Multi-ARIA award nominee composer and Tar (Iranian lute) virtuoso. With his band comprised of 6 world-class musicians, they create a soft and gentle music inspired by the Persian philosophy of sophism. Hamed joined Trevor and Ben from Found Sounds Lost Horizons to explain why his show is called Empty Voices, how [...]Read More... from Interview of Hamed Sadeghi About His Show Empty Voices
Patterson Hood is one of the founding member alongside Mike Cooley of the alt-country rock band Drive-By Truckers. Patterson began writing his songs at the age of eight and found much of his inspiration in his father’s, the famous David Hood, extensive record collection. Drive-By Truckers take to the stage at Bluesfest Festival on Thursday [...]Read More... from Interview With Patterson Hood From Drive-By Truckers
When Annette Brown was 15 years old, she was desperate to get on stage. One day, she finally met a “special teacher” that believed in her and let her took the stage of the Sydney Opera House. Since then, she has never forgotten that day. That is exactly what Sydney Eisteddfod is about. The cultural [...]Read More... from Sydney Eisteddfod : Interview With General Manager Annette Brown
On this episode of Changing the Face of Jazz, Mick Paddon is in conversation with Jodie Michael. Jodie Michael was the recipient of the 2013 Jann Rutherford Memorial Award. After gaining experience playing in jazz ensembles at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music, Jodie earned multiple scholarships. After touring the USA with her local Jazz Orchestra, [...]Read More... from Changing the Face of Jazz with Jodie Michael
On this episode of Changing the Face of Jazz, Mick Paddon speaks with Ellen Kirkwood. Ellen Kirkwood is an award-winning composer, trumpeter, bandleader and educator. She an Australian-born person of British heritage, living on unceded Wangal Country in Sydney’s Inner West. [...]Read More... from Changing the Face of Jazz with Ellen Kirkwood
On this episode of Changing the Face of Jazz, Mick Paddon speaks with Hilary Geddes. Hilary Geddes is a guitarist, improviser and composer based in Eora/Sydney on Gadigal Land. She is the 2021 Freedman Jazz Fellow, a 2021 ABC Jazz Scholarship, and the 2019 recipient of the Jann Rutherford Memorial Award. Hilary is the bandleader [...]Read More... from Changing the Face of Jazz with Hilary Geddes
We follow up each episode of The Intersection with an interview with an expert on the topic. Our special guest for Episode 4 is historian and musicologist Kay Dreyfus. Her 2013 book,,’Silence and Secrets – the Weintraub Syncopators in Australia’, introduced many people to this extraordinary story. [...]Read More... from Ep 4, Part 2: Kay Dreyfus on Enemy Aliens
The Weintraub Syncopators were the hottest jazz band in Weimar Germany. But after the Nazi party passed the first anti-Jewish laws, the Syncopators decided to embark on what was perhaps the longest world tour by any band in history. It ended in an internment camp in rural Australia. This episode traces an epic journey of [...]Read More... from Ep 4, Part 1: Enemy Aliens
In this Podcast Bondi Nights´Earl speaks with the Ladies that hosted the Hot Jazz Picnic. It was live in the episode of Bondi Nights on February 7, 2024. Lana and Madison revealed how they prepared for the event and spill the tea about how well they know Jazz music. [...]Read More... from Interview with Hot Jazz Picnic hosts Lana & Madison
Ralph is back touring Australia. The “Streets of London” singer/songwriter sits down with David Barr to talk about his music and perform some songs. Ralph will be playing at The Concourse Chatswood on Friday 9 February as part of his Streets of Oz Tour 2024. [...]Read More... from A Chat with Ralph McTell
Interview by Joshua Duffy Scott Saunders is the founder of Sydney’s explosive 90s Groove outfit dig (Directions In Groove), a prolific film television and theatre composer, and a music teacher with a master in philosophy (music) publishing a study titled “An Aesthetics of Groove.” Scott has returned to the scene with a new Soul Jazz [...]Read More... from A Vinyl Direction in Groove w/ Scott Saunders
Our special guest is historian and activist Gary Foley. A Gumbayngirr man, Gary Foley has been at the forefront of Indigenous activism for over fifty years and was a key figure in the Bicentennial protests. [...]Read More... from Ep 3, Part 2: Gary Foley on 1988
1988 in Australia. On the musical front, it was seriously divided between the mainstream music industry and the alternative/underground scene, yet both sides had their eyes on the international stage. But there was a bigger issue; 1988 marked the Bicentennial of the British invasion of Aboriginal lands. Indigenous activists were waiting to protest any celebrations. [...]Read More... from Ep 3, Part 1: 1988
Shellie Morris, the powerhouse Indigenous singer-songwriter, effortlessly blends tradition with innovation, creating a sonic journey through her ancestral roots. Hailing from the Yanyuwa, Garrwa, and Gurdanji communities, Morris’ soulful melodies carry the weight of Indigenous stories, bridging the past and present. In the run up to, and immediately after Australia Day, Shellie and Elliott discussed [...]Read More... from Indigenous Singer-Songwriter, Shellie Morris Speaks with Elliott Wallace: Waralungku by Arrkula Yinbayarra
Our special guest is journalist and broadcaster John Highfield. Best known for his 35 years on ABC Radio, it is not so well known that John was a teenage employee of the Lee Gordon organisation in the early 1960s. His recollections are fascinating. Playlist Chubby Checker: The Fly [...]Read More... from Ep 2, Part 2: John Highfield on Lee Gordon
Australia may have “turned to America” during WWII, but culturally, it was still doggedly British. This changed in the 1950s. We look at one arbiter of the change – Lee Gordon – an American with a shady backstory who arrived in Sydney in 1953 and within a year had created the Australian concert circuit! And [...]Read More... from Ep 2, Part 1: The Ginchiest
Our special guest to discuss the themes of the White Australia Blues episode is historian Deirdre O’Connell. She has written at length on the Sonny Clay tour and its background. Her extraordinary 2021 book, ‘Harlem Nights – the Secret History of Australia’s Jazz Age’ was hugely influential in the making of this episode. This interview [...]Read More... from Ep 1, Part 2: Deirdre O’Connell on White Australia Blues
The Immigration Restriction Act of 1901 heralded the White Australia Policy. This culture of whiteness would inevitably affect music in Australia. In this episode we look at the 1928 tour by Sonny Clay’s Colored Idea, the first African-American jazz band to tour Australia. We also look at ways the White Australia Policy continued to affect [...]Read More... from Ep 1, Part 1: White Australia Blues
Since 1974 the Open Academy at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music has opened the doors of the Conservatorium to the community through a wide range of programs, courses and workshops for school students, musicians, music teachers and to all those who are interested in learning more about music. Join Dan and Matt from Eastside’s ‘Blow’ [...]Read More... from In Conversation with the Conservatorium Open Academy
A series focussing on the intersection between music and history, The Intersection traces the evolution of ideas, social norms and cultural forms in Australia – and the characters and events behind them. Sometimes shocking, with dramatic twists along the way, be prepared for an immersive journey into the surprising moments that shaped our lives and [...]Read More... from The Intersection – Trailer
[...]Read More... from atone: From Hulme Crescent 24hr Party People to Sydney’s 90s Club Scene
Ausmusic T-Shirt Day is an annual day of fun and awareness on Thursday 30 November to celebrate Aussie music and raise urgently-needed funds for music workers in crisis. Funds raised from the campaign go towards helping Support Act continue its crucial work supporting musicians, managers, crew and music workers through crisis relief, mental health and [...]Read More... from Interview with Clive Miller; CEO of Support Act about Aus Music Month and Aus Music T-Shirt Day
HOT JAZZ PICNIC HAS NOW BEEN POSTPONED TO FEBRUARY 2024. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION. Katie Thorne is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who was born and raised in rural NSW (Wiradjuri Country). She describes her music as “sing-in-the-car songs, cry-on-the-walk-home songs, songs so personal I can’t quite believe I’m sharing them.” Her unique sound blends jazz with [...]Read More... from Interview with Katie Thorne – Hot Jazz Picnic
Trombone player, and band leader Alex Silver is featured in the Changing the Face of Jazz series . The series focuses on young women instrumentalists who have been making their names in jazz in recent years. Alex tells how, when faced with a choice between playing glockenspiel and trombone in a school band, she opted [...]Read More... from Changing the Face of Jazz With Alex Silver
Bass player Jess Dunn is the featured musician in this Changing the Face of Jazz. Jess says of herself that she came to playing music fairly late, by which she means her late teens. She progressed from a hand-me-down electric bass to a stand-up acoustic one and then developed a taste for jazz. She graduated [...]Read More... from Jess Dunn Making Jazz in Australia
The podcast episode features a conversation between Mick Paddon and Renata Arrivolo. Mick is filling in for Phil James on the show "Philosophy of Jazz." Renata Aravolo, a jazz pianist, is the special guest. They discuss the Open Academy at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, focusing on adult education and various courses related to jazz. Renata shares her journey from being a student at the Open Academy to becoming a professional jazz musician.
She talks about the welcoming and community-oriented atmosphere at the Open Academy, the range of courses offered, and the opportunities it provides for people of all ages to explore and develop their musical interests. Renata also mentions the joy of playing jazz and the importance of interaction and conversation in jazz music. The episode highlights the value of the Open Academy as a pathway for aspiring musicians to pursue their passion and develop their skills.
Tessie Overmyer is a saxophonist primarily playing the alto sax. She has been making a huge impact on the Sydney and Australian jazz scenes in the past couple years. In this profile she describes taking up the alto at school (though she might have been an oboe player if one had been available) . She was introduced to jazz through listening to Charlie Parker solos when she was still at school. She decided that she wanted to make a career in music after her experience as a young musician playing at the Newport Jazz Festival
But she only really discovered the world of Australian jazz when she went to the Sydney Conservatorium. Now playing in large and small ensembles she is immersed in Australian jazz, and names Johnathan Zwartz as a major influence. In the next couple of years, her next move will probably be to study in the USA or Europe
Before she speaks, we hear a live recording Tessie made of her trio playing a piece called Midnight at Central. After she has been speaking, we hear another live recording of Tessie's from the same trio: Tessie on alto, Chloe Kim on drumset and Jacques Emery on bass. This piece is called Ecky Thump. While she is talking there are snatches of the self titled album from the quintet JIEM, which she co-leads with Miles Rooney
The profile was produced by Mick Paddon, from an interview he conducted with Tessie. It was first broadcast on the 20th July 2023 on his weekly radio show on Eastside , Time and Space, which airs from 12 midday to 14.00.
This podcast is the most recent in a series titled Changing the Face of Jazz. For the past five years Mick has been producing these profiles of Australian, female jazz instrumentalists, as a follow on to his radio documentary, Music Has No Gender. They are musicians who are changing the way we see jazz, even if not the way we hear the music
In the latest Episode of Found Sounds Lost Horizons, Blues and Soul singer Eugene "Hideaway" Bridges visits our Studio at the Bondi Pavilion. Together with Trevor and Ben, Eugene talks about his upcoming concerts in Sydney and in Australia. Eugene also plays some of his songs live on his guitar.
Presented by Kathryn YangTikTalk with Kathryn discusses the impacts of Tik Tok on the Music industry, revealing the good, the bad, and the ugly. It's a Kathryn-one-time-production and throughout the Podcasts she delves into the ups and downs of virality and Gen-Z's behaviour on TikTok, as well as dropping a few recent top hits!
24.11.2022 Thursday 9:30pm - 11:00pm Presented by Sumaya Sultana Gossip About the Grammys is a one-time production in light of the recent reveal of the 2023 Grammys nominees. Sumaya delves into past controversies about the Grammys and also covers this years Grammys and specific categories to look out for. Throughout the program she drops in different songs from these events which means that listeners have some tunes and new songs to enjoy as well!
One of the most gorgeously distinctive voices I’ve heard in a while, Lady Blackbird has proved a serious force with her debut album 'Black Acid Soul'. Self-describing as a "true lover of music;” since launching Lady Blackbird she has drawn comparisons to Adele, Amy Winehouse and Celeste while also professing inspirations in the form of Billie Holiday, Gladys Knight, Tina Turner and Chaka Khan.
Her debut is an album of re-imagined neo-soul classics from the likes of Nina Simone, The Three Degrees, The Voices Of East Harlem as well as a couple of stunning original pieces. She worked with Grammy-nominated producer Chris Seefried and recorded in the legendary Studio B (aka Prince’s Room) at LA’s Sunset Sound.
She joined Chelsea Deeley (The New Thing - Mondays 9-10:30am) via Zoom to chat all things 'Black Acid Soul', the song selection process, her collaborators and her love for Brittany Howard.
More information about Lady Blackbird:
Website Bandcamp
Changing the Face of Jazz, is a series of profiles of women, jazz instrumentalists. The featured musician in this edition is saxophonist, clarinetist and flautist Loretta Palmeiro. Loretta has been a member of and soloist in a wide range of ensembles which have made an important impact on Australian music, including the Sirens, the Divergence Jazz Orchestra, and the quintet which is one of her main projects personally, Spyglass Gypsies. And the diversity in the music these ensembles play shows how broad Loretta's musical interests are. From her first experiences in playing the violin, Loretta moved on quickly to the piano and was attracted to the saxophone, literally, by the sounds she heard drifting across her school playground. For this profile, Loretta has provided original music not available on CD: a version of Softly as in a Morning Sunrise, in a duet with guitarist Richard Ashby; a live recording from the Divergence Big Band; and improvised duets recorded with pianist Mark Isaacs when they called their collaboration Some of Two Parts. This profile in Changing the Face of Jazz was produced by Mick Paddon and originally went to air on Eastside Radio as part of Jazz Made in Australia on February 13th, 2017.
Chloe Kim is a drummer. In this profile she beings by telling us why she describes herself as a drum kit specialist rather than a percussionist. Chloe started playing music when she was very young. She switched to the drums as much, as she tells us, for the look of the kit as for the sound. She started playing and listening to jazz when she move to Australia from her home in Korea when she was in her teens. She studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music where is now completing a Masters Degree, as well as teaching drum kit. She shares the advice she would now give to a young teenage woman who is thinking of studying and making a career in music.
Chloe has recently been focussing on solo drumming. Before we her her talk, there is a section of her recording , Recovery- drum solo for Korea. There is another section of the same piece at the end of the profile. While she is talking, we hear sections of a piece from her new album. The piece is titled Repetition. The album, How to Get Through, was released in May of this year.
The profile was first broadcast in Mick Paddon's weekly show, Time and Space, on July 15th
This podcast is part of the series, Changing the Face of Jazz, which Mick Paddon has been producing since 2017
Nadje Noordhuis is a trumpeter, flugel horn player and educator. In this profile we hear her describing how she started playing music at a very early age but was introduced to jazz much later. Her ears were opened to the music by the legendary Kenny Wheeler. Moving from Australia to New York she talks about the challenges of making her way in the jazz scene in NYC. And her search for female role models. She also talks about the advice she gives to the young female musicians she teaches .
Before we hear she speaks, we hear a track of her music , Le Fin, from her 2012 album called simply Nadje Noordhuis. At the end of the profile we hear another track from that album titled Magnolia. All the music being played through the profile is also from that album
The profile was produced by Mick Paddon, from an interview with Najde at the 2021 Sydney Conservatorium Jazz Festival. It was first broadcast on the 8th July 2021 on his weekly radio show on Eastside , Time and Space, which airs from 12 midday to 14.00.
This podcast is the most recent in a series called Changing the Face of Jazz. Mick has been producing these profiles of female jazz instrumentalists who have come to prominence in recent years, as a follow on to his radio documentary, Music Has No Gender. They are musicians who are changing the way we see jazz, even if not the way we hear the music
Sydney based jazz guitarist Hilary Geddes has been announced as the recipient of the Freedman Jazz Fellowship for 2021. The highly prestigious Fellowship is awarded annually to musicians under 35 years old. The intention is to give established musicians financial and other support in taking their next, significant career steps. In 2020, Eastside's Mick Paddon recorded a detailed interview with Hilary. They discussed her music and her musical education. They talked about her musical influences and the challenge in finding female role models among jazz guitarists. Hilary has previously been a recipient of the Jann Rutherford Award which is intended to give young female musicians assistance in establishing themselves . So in the interview Hilary talked about the gender disparities in tertiary music courses, though she says things are changing. Her currently listening reflects her broad range of musical interests and influences. From the interview, Mick put together a profile of Hilary which includes music from live performances by the Hilary Geddes Quartet recorded by Eastside's Peter Nelson The profile first aired on 89.7fm at 13.00 on Thursday October 29th 2020 as part of Mick Paddon's weekly show Time and Space.
Vienna Dreaming has been a work in progress by saxophonist and composer Matt Keegan for a number of years. He has composed this suite of music around the life of his great grandfather, Heini Portnoj. Heini, himself a musician and composer, became a refuge from his home in Vienna, when Austria was annexed by the Nazis in the 1930s. He escaped to Australia with his wife Annie and her child Elizabeth, Matt Keegan’s maternal grandmother. Matt recorded the suite , which then consisted of six pieces, in 2018. It was released on CD as Vienna Dreaming but has not previously been performed live.
Matt is now giving the first live performance of the suite as part of the SIMA Summer season, Jazz Now, at Mary's Underground on February 28th. And he has added new pieces to the suite, focussing on Heini's experiences of living in Australia.
Mick Paddon interviewed Matt about how he transposed a family narrative into a suite of music and about the live performance of the new version of the suite. Part way through the interview, we hear a piece from recorded suite, the Femina, Matt's imagining of the Viennese club where Heine was musical director for 9 years. At the end of the interview we hear a more sombre piece from the suite, the Not Knowing, expressing the thoughts and emotions a refuge will have experienced leaving family and friends behind.
The interview was first broadcast on Mick' s weekly show on Eastside radio, Time and Space, on February 18th.
Coupe has written the definitive biography on one of Australia's greatest rock icons. His book, 'The Man, The Music and the Life in Between', describes insights about the highs and lows of Kelly's career from humble beginnings to the everlasting legacy we now know today.
The Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra has begun their 2020 and 7th concert season, with plans to impress the public with a series of concert performances, programming and engaging education programs. Thomas Adams got the chance to talk with Nicole van Bruggen, co-artistic director/principle clarinet, on Jazz Impressions to find out what's coming up this concert season. ARCO's concerts coming up this week include The Voyage of Musical Discovery Motivic Development on 4th March and The Impresario on the 5th & 6th March.
To Find Out More Click Here
On Monday, 24 February 2020, Gypsy Hot Club's host, Hannah Murray, had the amazing opportunity to sit down and discuss this year's International World Cabaret with the talented and versatile performer, Dahlia Dior. Dahlia Dior is an international artists that has performed along with the likes of Ray Charles, Matt Monro, Blood Sweat and Tears, and Metropolitan Opera star Jan Peerce. She will be taking her talent to the International World Cabaret to the Camelot Lounge on 1 March.
On 16 January 2020, The Gypsy Hot Club with Hannah Murray was enthused to interview KermesZ à l'Est. KermesZ à l'Est is a band known for "Balkan melodies, metal, math rock, electro and free jazz" and have been rocking out at many art festivals around Europe for 10 years. This band will be performing at this year's Womadelaide on 6-9 March.
In association with Sydney Festival, Iron in the Rose is a musical adaptation of Robert Hugh's the fatal shore.
An eclectic mix of jazz orchestral sounds and visual projections, Jazz Impression's Thomas Adams spoke with Jeremy Rose about what audiences can expect.
Iron In The Blood is showing at the City Recital Hall on January 23.
For tickets and more info head to the City Recital Hall website here.
American singer, pianist and music revivalist, Michael Feinstein talks his recent performances, his favourite music and choosing his repertoire with Dan Barnett from Thursday's show, Blow.
Michael recently performed at the Sydney Opera House and in Melbourne with guest Aussie musical theatre star Bobby Fox. In which they re-imagined some absolute classics from The Great American Songbook.
Local Sydney singer/songwriter, Lannigan aka Ben Roach, joined Friday Drive for a live and exclusive performance of his brand new single, 'Where Do We Go From Here?'.
The song is the first single from Lannigan's second EP, 'I Don't Know', due for release in early 2020.
Lannigan discusses songwriting, playing in a band and a sticky situation with a potato gun.
You can find 'Where Do We Go From Here' by clicking here, and keep up with all things Lannigan here and here.
In 2019, Dean Bourne entered his 22nd year of performing and paying the ultimate tribute to Roy Orbison showcasing all his massive hits together with a special celebration of ‘The Traveling Wilburys’.
Listen to Stuart Rubin from A Taste Of Honey on Monday 4th of November interview Bourne about Orbison's music and the legacy he left behind for generations of rock n' roll fans. Plus there's a special live performance in studio honouring the iconic performer.
Brazilian singer and guitarist, Anna Setton, has performed all over the globe in iconic theatres and jazz festivals, from Rome to Barcelona and New York. Having shared the stage with peers like João Bosco and Toquinho, the beautiful São Paulo native modernizes the rich history of Brazilian music with a style that evokes the classics of the bossa nova tradition of greats Gilberto, Jobim, and Menescal.
Listen to Anna Setton's performance and interview with Matt McMahon about her debut album, visit to Australia, and more, all on BLOW!
We tried a different sound over here on The New Soul Scenario and we had indie artist Jack R. Reilly in the studio to chat about his new single 'I Don't Like To See Us Like This' and his gig at The Hideaway Bar tonight (18/10).
Jack is a singer/songwriter from down the South Coast who has been on the music scene since around 2013. He has supported artists such as Gavin Degraw and Andrew McMahon while they toured Australia and has played many a show in Sydney.
This afternoon we chatted to him about his musical sound, gigs and his influences.
Megan Washington is curating and performing We Are Twenty, the 20th birthday concert for the City Recital Hall and joining her on the line up will be Queensland innovators Topology, the Luke Howard Trio and Electric Fields.
Megan will be performing a brand new work with Topology based on the speeches of Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and joined Gemma in the studio on Thursday Drive to discuss the concert and what she's working on next.
The event will be happening on the 30th October at City Recital Hall. To buy tickets click here or go to their website for more details.
Declan Kelly joined Gemma in studio for a live performance and to discuss his upcoming album launch at the Red Rattler on Thursday the 19th of September.
Get your tickets here: https://sydneyfringe.com/buy-tickets?e=MTg2NDI
Listen to Gaz and Diana interview acclaimed jazz singer, Wilma Reading! Wilma has led a life worthy of a Hollywood film: boasting a 50-plus year career, she's starred in musicals and was the first Aboriginal that bandleader Duke Ellington ever met, yet remains relatively unknown in her home country. Now, she speaks with Gaz and Diana about the course of her career, her early experiences in Sydney, the Sydney International Women's Jazz Festival, and more, all on Tuesday Drive!
Virginia Lowe talks with SIMA GM Amy Curl and guitarist Hilary Geddes on The Lowedown about the 2019 Sydney International Women's Jazz Festival, what's being planned for it, and more!
Paco Peña is regarded as one of the world's most foremost traditional flamenco players. He will be touring Australia with his Esencias Tour 2019 starting in October. Chelsea from The New Thing had the chance to have a chat with him before coming to Australia!
Sandy Evans is one of Australia's most significant jazz musicians. She has a national and international reputation as a saxophonist, composer, band leader and educator. Her contribution to Australian music has been recognised in her award of the Order of Australia. Sandy has a long standing interest in Indian classical music, and completed a Doctorate on intercultural music bringing together jazz and the Carnatic music from South India. On August 24th she showcases her Indian musical interests in a programme of music titled Ahimsa- Meditations on Ghandi at the Sound Lounge in Sydney as part of the Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA) winter season. Eastside's Mick Paddon had an opportunity to have a long chat with Sandy about where this interest in the Indian musical traditions came from, how it has influenced her own music, and the Ahimsa project. Before Sandy speaks, we hear a piece from one her recorded collaborations, Passive Resistance, No Regrets, from the CD Kapture. After she has told us about the Ahimsa performance, we hear the last few minutes of Beam, Arch, Suspension from the CD Bridge of Dreams, which premiered at the Sydney Festival to a standing ovation at the start of 2019. Two other tracks from the Kapture CD, Robben Island and Explosion of Memory, play while Sandy is talking. The music and the interview were first broadcast on Mick Paddon's regular show Time and Space on Wednesday August 14th on Eastside Radio, 89.7fm
The catholics have been performing and recording for almost 29 years. Founder and band leader, Lloyd Swanton came into the Eastside Studios to talk with Mick Paddon from Time and Space about the band, its music and the upcoming gig on July 26th at Foundry 616 . Lloyd, until fairly recently a long time presenter on Eastside, talked about how the band was set up, the style of music they play, and how they hav maintained their energy and creativity over this long period. As we hear in the interview, the catholics unique sound is a combination of the music, mostly composed by Lloyd himself or saxophonist Sandy Evans; the instrumentation; and the musicians> Lloyd, Sandy and trombonist James Greening have been the ever presents in all the recordings by the band . The interview was first broadcast during Time and Space on Wednesday July 16th
Have you ever experienced a performance of taiko drumming? It's very exciting. You can feel the drumming beating in your chest. It's energetic, theatrical and uplifting. And Australia's own internationally acclaimed drumming ensemble, Taikoz, will be performing Japanese taiko in their production, The Beauty of 8, at The Joan in Penrith on 20 July and at NIDA on 27 July.
The Beauty of 8 is a juxtaposition of the sonic boom of six Odaiko grand drums, the haunting shakuhachi, movement and lavish costumes.
Angela Davis is a Melbourne based saxophonist predominantly playing the alto. In this most recent profile in the series Changing the Face of Jazz Angela talks about her attraction to the instrument, and how she started playing jazz. Her commitment to the music took her from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music to New York, via post graduate study at the University of Philadelphia. In New York she met some of the greats of the jazz saxophone and studied with Lee Konitz, a major influence on her style of playing. She returned to Australia to what she describes as the inspiring jazz scene of Melbourne where she recorded her most recent CD, Little Did They Know released just a couple of months ago. Angela reflects on the absence of female role models for her instrument and offers some advice for young women thinking of making a career studying and playing jazz. Before Angela introduces herself we hear her playing on Circuit for Three a track from her new CD. While she is talking we can hear two more tracks from that new CD in the background, Hymn for Haden and a piece written by Charlie Haden called Our Spanish Love Song Perhaps not surprisingly Angela ackowledges Charlie Haden as another one of her musical influences. After she has spoken we hear one more track in full, Till we Meet Again from her 2014 album Lady Luck This profile was first broadcast on July 10th 2019 during the Eastside show Time and Space introduced by Mick Paddon who has produced all the profiles in the Changing the Face of Jazz series
On Thursday 20 June 2019 classical trained soprano Sara Macliver joined Gemma on Thursday Drive to chat about her current performance; a song recital with Ian Munro on the piano titled Songs My Mother Taught Me - a selection of well-known and not-so-well-known songs to champion women, their stories and their music. A homage to women performed live this Saturday night at UNSW as part of their Winter Gala!
Don Was and Justin Seltzer at Eastside The President of Blue Note records, Don Was, has been in Sydney as part of his world tour celebrating the 80th birthday of this iconic jazz label. With Blue Note's Vice President Justin Seltzer, he joined Mick Paddon in the Eastside studios during Time and Space. Don Was made his name as a musician and as a record producer, working over decades with just about every major name in the rock and pop worlds including the Rolling Stones, Roy Orbison, Bonnie Rait, Brian Wilson and many more, as well as jazz legends such as Wayne Shorter, Charles Lloyd, Joe Lovano and Kurt Elling. He joined Blue Note as its President in 2011. On Time and Space Don Was talked about his approach to music and production, the musician driven philosophy Blue Note developed from its earliest recordings in the late 1930s which still informs the way they work today, and how he sees the future of the label. The podcast opens with a track from one of the albums Don nominates as his all time favourite recordings on Blue Note-the title track from the album Ode to Joe by Joe Henderson. It closes with another track from Don's selection, Wild Flower, from Wayne Shorter's Speak No Evil, an album which Don tells us in the interview has been important in helping him through some low points in his career. The interview was broadcast in Time and Space on Eastside Radio on June 5th of this year.
Matt McMahon chats to Billy Childs ahead of the Sydney Con Jazz festival taking place on June 2.
No other musician has shaken the foundations of folk, alt-country and rock n' roll more than Bob Dylan. His career spans 6 decades and has amassed a back catalogue of some of the world's most loved and iconic songs. Songs that made a generation and changed the world. Bob Dylan Revisited is a night filled whereby five renowned Australian artists bring you five unique perspectives on the work of the greatest living songwriter. John Waters and Wendy Matthews are two of the performers who recently visited Eastside Radio to talk with Phil James ahead of the show this Friday at the State Theatre.
Guitarist Bill Frisell has been described as one of the most important, pioneering and panoramic musicians at work today. A consummate jazz player, composer and improviser, over a career or more than 40 years he has performed with most of the jazz greats across a wide range of interpretations of jazz and appears on more than 300 recordings he has been voted “Best Guitarist” in American jazz magazine DownBeat’s annual critics’ poll no less than 15 times. In June he is visiting Sydney as one of the headline acts at the Conservatorium’s International Jazz Festival. Eastside’s Phil James had a chance to speak at length with Bill about hismusical influences, the ranges of musical styles he performs and about his upcoming trip to Australia. Before we hear Phil introducing Bill Frisell and his music, we hear Bill play solo guitar solo on a piece called In Line, the title track from the album of the same name. Part way through the interview we hear a piece entitled Soul Merchant from Bill Frisell’s Blue Dream Album. The interview finishes with a trio of Bill, Lee Konitz on alto and Dave Holland on bass playing Kind of Gentle, a track from Kenny Wheeler’s album Angel Song. The interview and the music were first broadcast on 89.7fm during the show Time and Space on Wednesday May 8th.
Famous musicians Dahlia Dior and Courtney Severini joined The Gypsy Hot Club host Hannah to chat about their get together and the creation of Cafe Continentale. The show they describe as Luscious Latin from Italy, Spain and Beyond.
Listen to them speaking about how they got into singing, their spectacular story of how they have met and their multilingual performance.
For more information click here.
Nora Fischer chats with Eastside’s Elsen Price about her experience joining the Silkroad Ensemble.
Nora Fischer is challenging the way we listen to the voice. The Amsterdam-based singer is renowned for her adventurous approach to live performance and her innovative projects fusing classical and contemporary repertoire. This can range from traditional concert programs to genre-defying collaborations — such as her debut album, HUSH. Using her voice as a versatile instrument, Nora’s repertoire ranges from Monteverdi to the many compositions that have been written for her in the present day.
Founded by superstar cellist Yo-Yo Ma, the Silkroad Ensemble is a collective of virtuoso musicians from over 20 countries. A vibrant, passionate and ecstatic celebration of world music, both instrumental and vocal, performed by outstanding contemporary musicians representing dozens of instrumental disciplines and artistic traditions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=34&v=VclfCvAG528 Performing at the Sydney Opera House on the 9th of March 2019:
- Jeffrey Beecher
- Mike Block
- Sandeep Das
- Nora Fischer
- Mario Gotoh
- Cristina Pato
- Shane Shanahan
- Mark Suter
- Wu Tong
For more information click here!
Angélique Kidjo from Benin has changed from the femme fatale of Afro-Funk to the new Mama Africa as successor to Miriam Makeba. In the Australian premiere of her latest project, she remains unpredictable: transforming the iconic Talking Heads album Remain in Light. Angélique chats with Eastside's Matt McMahon during his show Blow on the 7th of March 2019 about her new album and her upcoming performance at the Sydney Opera House for International Women's Day.
Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo is now one of the world's leading artists, with thirteen stunning albums to her credit. Considered "the only African diva" by Time Magazine, she is a true performer whose striking voice, stage presence and willingness to experiment have earned the respect of her peers. Angélique will be performing at the Sydney Opera House for International Women's Day on the 8th of March 2019.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq9IlxmRrBM Over the course of her career, Kidjo has successfully brought together the traditional sounds of her childhood in Benin with the RnB, funk, jazz and more.
At the Sydney Opera house she will present the Australian premiere of her latest project; the reinvention of Talking Heads’ classic 1980 album, Remain in Light. Recorded with the superstar producer Jeff Bhasker (Kanye West, Jay Z, Drake, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars and Taylor Swift), Kidjo’s powerful reimagining of tracks such as 'Once in a Lifetime' and 'Born Under Punches', picking up on the original’s Afrobeat undertones, has been described as “Visionary…illustrates Kidjo’s grand majesty” – NPR Music
For more information click here.
Jazz musician Sean Wayland sat down for a chat with Matt and Dan on their show Blow at Eastside FM on Thursday the 7th of February discussing the legendary Horst Liepolt.
Horst Liepolt, immigrated from Germany in 1951 and after a period in Melbourne, where he opened the club Jazz Centre 44, came to Sydney in 1960 and quickly established his reputation as promoter of jazz music. He managed the six nights a week schedule at The Basement popularising jazz music and giving young and experienced musicians the opportunity to play in front of an audience which was crucial to their development. The list of Australian musicians and groups which appeared at The Basement is a ‘who’s who’ of Australian jazz – Don Burrows, James Morrison, Judy Bailey, Mike Nock, Dick Hughes, Bob Bertles, the list goes on and bands such as Galapagos Duck, Conservatorium Big Band, Young Northside Big Band under John Speight, Jazz Co-op under Howie Smith as well as many smaller groups. International jazz stars Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Griffin and Freddie Hubbard played there as well as pop stars Prince and Neil Diamond to mention a few. He also established 44 Records label and released over 30 LPs of Australian Jazz. Horst died 9th January, 2019.
Sean shares some stories of his encounters with Horst and even managed to record some of his chats with Horst which he has posted to his youtube channel.
Click here to checkout Sean's website and listen to some of his music!
Elaine Chia the CEO of City Recital Hall joined us at Eastside FM for an interview by Virginia Lowe on Arts Wednesday. Chia tells Eastside how though she’s always had a passion for music, her degree was actually in interior architecture. During her time studying she worked at The Princess Theatre in Melbourne as an usher where she discovered her love for musical theatre. She landed a job with Cameron Mackintosh of The Phantom of the Opera which eventually took her to Sydney where her career then blossomed from there.
Located between Pitt and George Street, City Recital Hall or more commonly referred to as ‘Angel Place’ is home to a plethora of concerts exhibiting the talents of various artists, performers, presenters, ensembles and more.
For more information visit https://www.cityrecitalhall.com!
With it's hypnotic hip-hop vibe and punk-rock energy, BCUC taps in to the spirits of it's ancestors and the creative rebellious energy of it's hometown, Soweto. This outspoken and outstanding seven-member band uses ïncantations" in Zulu, Sotho and English, funky modulations and more to bring to the world the voice of their people. There are ritual song. around-the-fire hood songs, shebeen songs, church songs, all used as weapons of political and spiritual liberation. The Afrika portrayed by BCUC is not poor, but rich in tradition, rituals and beliefs. This band is about today and the future, infused with all that is the past. Singer Jovi joined PJ from Dial Afrika recently ahead of their performance at WOMADelaide in March 2019.
To Find out More About BCUC Click Here
Arts Friday's Angela Stretch talked to Denise Carlos from 'Las Cafeteras' about their political perspectives, identity and the power of music.
Las Cafeteras are a band of Mexican–Americans living in East LA and as the LA times described them, are “a uniquely Angeleno mishmash of punk, hip-hop, beat music, cumbia and rock.”
By blending traditional music with hip hop and punk they have kept two traditions alive-music from their homeland, and the punk and hip hop legacy of political protest. Catch them live at WOMADelaide in March.
For More Information Click Here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XqqsuLl8hU
Wolfgang Muthspiel is one of the most influential jazz guitarists of his generation. After graduating from the New England Conservatory and Berklee College of Music Wolfgang recorded multiple albums with his brother Christian and toured with musicians like Gary Burton and Mick Goodrick. Muthspiel and musicians Slava and Leonard Grigoryan are currently touring Australia. He talked to Thomas Adams on Jazz Impressions recently about performing in Sydney, discussing what inspired him to pursue a career in music and more...
Muthspiel and the Grigoryan Brothers are performing in Sydney's City Recital Hall on Friday February 15.
Joshua and Josh from the band Hello Tut Tut joined Hannah on The Gypsy Hot Club last night. Hello Tut Tut are fun, dynamic and daring when it comes to creating original music.
To find out more about them click here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a8qHc233AY
Keppie Coutts was recently on Cathy's show "The Last Walz" to talk about her upcoming new show "The Mysteries of Mad River – A Swamp-Folk Operetta". It is an eccentric, freudian, and sparkling piece of musical theatre, that is one-part cabaret, one-part murder mystery.
The show takes place on the 30th November at 7pm at the Randwick Town Hall Avoca Street as the final part of Randwick Council's 2018 Twilight Concert Series.
Tickets from : https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/keppie-coutts-the-mysteries-of-mad-river-a-swamp-folk-operetta-tickets-42030805270
Pianist/composer Helen Sung hails from Houston, TX, where she attended the High School for the Performing & Visual Arts. Now based in New York City, Sung has worked with a "Who's Who" in Jazz, including the late Clark Terry, Ron Carter, Wayne Shorter, Wynton Marsalis, and MacArthur Fellow Regina Carter.
Like many of New York’s top jazz pianists today (including Jason Moran, Robert Glasper, and James Francies), Helen Sung grew up in Houston, Texas and attended the Houston High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSVPA).
Sung’s latest project is a collaboration with the poet and former chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, Dana Gioia. Sung With Words (released 9/14 on Stricker Street Records) is the pianist’s first recording to feature all original music. There are tracks for which Gioia's poems serve as lyrics, as well as instrumental compositions inspired by words. Supported by a “New Jazz Works” grant from Chamber Music American and the Doris Duke Foundation, Sung and her group will premiere this work at The Jazz Gallery on Thursday, December 17th.
Check out the interview with Helen on Blow , where she discussed with host Matt in more detail about the process of Sung With Words, and shared a bit of her background and journey with us (from going from her classical roots to her new found sound of jazz).
Allysha Joy has been making a name for herself over the last few years. Alongside Horatio Luna, Ziggy Zeitgeist and the rest of her incredibly talented 30/70 family, their music has taken them around Australia, through Europe and even further through the waves of the internet, emphasised further by the backing of London-based label Rhythm Section.
But Acadie : Raw, the debut solo album from 30/70’s leading lady, showcases the musical mastery of Allysha Joy to the fullest.
10 tracks of soulful, jazz-tinged and often hip hop/r&b-influenced compositions, combined with Allysha’s signature husky yet powerful vocals; all of these elements cradle not only stories of love, but stories of self-empowerment, finding the truth, acknowledging your privilege, connection to nature and being conscious of others in every context.
I spoke with Allysha Joy prior to her pending return to Europe and prior to 30/70’s support slot for the incredible Kamaal Williams at his Oxford Art Factory show in November.
We spoke about her inspirations, being “hounded to create a radio edit” for her single ‘Know Your Power’, her love of Georgia Anne Muldrow and just how hopeful she is for the future in the wake of current social climate.
Mojo Juju is a Melbourne-based artist who has been present within the Australian music scene for well over a decade. She created music that harked to more bluesy, jazz-influenced traditions; which gained her a respectable fan base and an highly coveted record deal with ABC Music.
But with the release of Mojo’s riveting third solo album ‘Native Tongue’, the swell of support and attention has increased significantly. And on her own terms.
I start this interview by sharing my thoughts: that I think Mojo has possibly made one of the best albums of the year. A bold statement to some, but in my mind – this album is a powerful combination of important, personal stories that relate to often marginalised human beings; mixed with the unequivocally unique production and swagger of Mojo Juju’s sound.
Mojo recently dropped by Eastside Radio to chat with Chelsea Deeley (The New Thing, Mondays 9-10:30am) in-depth about this album.
There are stories told from the perspectives of Mojo’s great-grandparents and grandmother, which touches on her great-grandmother Pearl concealing the identity of Mojo’s grandmother’s biological father: an Indigenous man of the Wiradjuri people named Jackson.
There are stories from Mojo’s own experiences as a queer person and as a person of colour.
There are stories in which Mojo longs for a connection to her ancestry; stories that criticise those who hold political power in our world and stories that highlight the social detachment that human beings currently face, largely in part due to technology.
But that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface.
Ambre Hammond is a woman of many talents! Not only is she an international keynote speaker, who is the founder of humanitarian project “Girl Piano Truck” and a proud ambassador of the Peace Program for the United Nations Association of Australia, but she is also a talented classical pianist and composer!
Amber has performed throughout the world as a soloist, with orchestras and in collaboration with various international artists, and has released 6 albums. Her album launch is for her latest album, Night Flowers. Night Flowers was inspired by photographer James O’Toole, who captured 24 night-images of flowers in gardens around Sydney. Amber used these as inspiration and is now preparing for her album tour to share her wonderful music and photography collaboration.
Amber popped into Blow recently on Eastside Radio, where she discussed with host Dan Barnett in more detail about the behind the scenes making of her new album, giving us some insights into her future music creations.
Sydney Symphony Orchestra presents the Disney classic, Mary Poppins - in Concert.
The Oscar award-winning film will be played on the big screen, with the Orchestra performing every note of the charming musical score, including the favourites: Let’s Go Fly a Kite, Chim Chim Cher-ee and A Spoonful of Sugar. The conductor, Erik Ochsner, landed in Sydney just in time for 5 rehearsals and to have a chat with Nick Terry on Thursday Drive.
Live Interview with Juan Carmona talking about his coming up shows at the Sydney Opera House.
Authentic Flamenco tradition meets the Symphony Orchestra for an experience like no other!
Juan Carmona and his troupe of fellow artists: guitars, bass guitar, flute, percussion, singer and dancer. The Juan Carmona Septet will begin the concert with a mesmerising display of original Flamenco in the traditional style. After interval the orchestra will join them on stage for Juan Carmona’s “Flamenco Symphony” – vivid and intense.
The interview was first broadcast during the Monday Drive Show with Ruth Hessey on Eastside89.7fm
Choose this concert…If you love the passion and energy of Flamenco and to experience a stimulating blend of cultural traditions. What: Sinfonia Flamenca The Juan Carmona Septet with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Where: Sydney Opera House When: 6th, 7th and 8th August 2018
Live Interview with Jade de Silva writer and performer of the Show: "Stories And Songs Of The Big Mummas!"
The Big Mumma’s is a soulful journey from the women who started it all. Often going without any acknowledgement, their music was loud, raunchy and big. Many of their songs made famous by men. ‘You Ain’t Nothing but a Hound dog’ is probably best remembered as an Elvis hit but in actual fact it was first recorded by Big Mama Thornton. The Mumma’s are a force to be reckoned with and their stories are compelling, triumphant and tragic, however they will never be forgotten.
Starring the very blues, ballsy and brilliant Jade da Silva supported with a backbone of a gospel, soul and funk band like no other. Featuring such artists as Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Big Mama Thornton, Koko Taylor, Billie Holiday, Mavis Staples, Mahalia Jackson, Etta James, Betty Davis. Sharon Jones, Betty LaVette, Nina Simone and a few more.
The interview was first broadcast during Queer for your ears Show on Eastside89.7fm on the 16th August Where & When:
Camelot Lounge Marrickville - Saturday 1 September / Parramatta Riverside Theatre - Friday 7 September
Harmonica, mouth organ, harp - whatever you call it, it's an instrument that crosses many genres and despite its small size, is very complex. Andrew Banks, player and teacher, was Sylvia's guest on Arts Wednesday 8 August 2018. Listen to their conversation (with music) here.
The 18 piece Count Basie Orchestra is the real deal, a who’s who of the best swing players the world has to offer. Directed by veteran trumpeter Scotty Barnhart and featuring special guest vocalist, the remarkable Carmen Bradford, Gill Falson was lucky enough to have both performers pop into Playing Favourites ahead of their Sydney Opera House performance on Thursday the 2nd of August. Enjoy the insights into an ensemble that have topped the upper echelons of the international jazz world for decades.
There will not be too many Australian musicians who can list jazz legends Roy Haynes and Dave Holland as their collaborators in a jazz trio recording. Pianist and composer Mark Isaacs was thirty when he recorded the album Encounters with them in 1988. This year he celebrates his 60th birthday with a performance at the Camelot Lounge on June 21st with his reformed, Australian trio. Mark talked with Mick Paddon on Time and Space about his long, extensive and varied musical career. He describes himself as something of a prodigy who started playing the piano at age five, and produced his first compositions when he was twelve and intending, at that point, to be a classical composer and conductor rather than a performer. Jazz was one of the things that changed his mind when he returned to playing and performing on piano. As a prelude to the conversation we hear a solo piano interpretation by Mark of the jazz standard, Stella by Starlight from his CD Elders Suite. The podcast closes with his trio playing a version of Lennon and McCartney's the Fool on the Hill from Mark's Visions albums. Part way through the discussion we hear Mark playing with another one of the greats of 20th century jazz, Kenny Wheeler, also from his Elders Suite CD. The interview was first broadcast during Time and Space on Wednesday June 6th.
Music Has No Gender is a new 37 minute documentary produced, written and recorded by Eastside Radio's Mick Paddon from Thursday Drive. Its starting point is that while music doesn’t have a gender, musicians do. Sandy Evans, who has been described as a national treasure and awarded an Order of Australia for her contributions to contemporary Australian music, talks about her attempts in the early 2000s to give more opportunities for young women to study, play and make a career in jazz. Sandy reflects on what has changed in the past fifteen years. We also hear from four musicians who have participated in the initiatives Sandy helped develop: a drummer, a bassist, a saxophonist and trumpeter. The documentary is narrated by Jane Raffan from Eastside's Arts Monday programme. All the music is performed by the musicians who are interviewed: Sandy Evans, Jodie Michael, Ellen Kirkwood and, as members of the Sirens Big Band, Jess Dunn and Harri Harding.
The documentary was produced with the support of the Community Media Training Organisation and with mentorship from Sharon Davis
Music Has No Gender was aired for the first time on Monday 24th October on Eastside Radio as part of a special Jazz Made In Australia produced in anticipation of the 2016 Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival.
With a menagerie of traditional folk instruments surrounding her on stage, Julia offers a selection of new songs, written in a burst of inspiration this year. Last year Julia released her debut solo single ‘Melissa’ and toured it nationally, also supporting Abbe May and performing in a season at Melbourne Fringe Festival. Julia will soon release another new track, produced by Sarah Belkner. Hear a preview of it at Frontier Folk at The Record Crate in Glebe, Thursday 24 May.
"Diamond Duck" are James Daley (mandolin) and Brian Campeau (acoustic guitar) joined Cathy Kirkpatrick in the Eastside studio this week, for "The Last Waltz", performing songs live "Enemy of Reason" and "Middle of a Song" from their debut EP. Usually a duo, this performance will feature some very special guests including, Oliver Miller on Cello, Vanessa Tammetta on Violin, Gary Daley on Accordion and Azz Woo on vocals. Opening the night will the be the incredible "Bonniesongs": Bonnie Stewert's solo project. Her sweet ethereal vocals sail over the polyrhythmic backgrounds created between her guitar, percussion and vocal loops have been compared to artists such as Bjork and Joanna Newsom.
William Crighton dropped by Eastside FM for a chat with Cathy Kirkpatrick about his brand new ablum "Empire", and played "Happiness" and "Morning Song" live on The Last Waltz. This extraordinary artist was born in the Riverina, now living in Hunter Valley, songs are fuelled with enormous passion and hope for a better, brighter future.
SHOW : Sat 28 July, The Factory (Marrickville) .
2017 Freedman Jazz Fellowship Award winner Emma Stephenson has been living and working in New York for the past eight months. She was briefly back in Sydney in April to attend a couple of weddings which gave Mick Paddon, presenter of Time and Space a chance to catch up with her to ask about how she is managing in the New York jazz scene. Emma talked about the particular approach she has taken to playing piano and getting experience by playing and singing in bars while she writes songs and music preparing for an ambitious recording project with multiple singers. She is influenced by a wide range of song writers who share an interest in the words as much as the music. She shared her thoughts. about whether it is easier for a young female jazz instrumentalist to make it in New York or in Sydney.The interview was a follow up to the profile of Emma that Mick broadcast and podcast last year in his Changing the Face of Jazz series. Part way through the interview we hear pianist Fred Hersch play his interpretation of "And So it Goes" from his album Open Book, a piece chosen by Emma because, as she says, it almost brought her to tears when she heard Fred Hersch perform it. The interview closes with Emma's song "if the sun had a choice" performed by Gian Slater with Emma's Hieronymus Trio from their CD Where the Rest of the World Begins. The interview and the music were first broadcast during Time and Space on Wednesday May 2nd -content/uploads/2018/05/04214231/Emma-Stephenson-April-2018_mixdown.mp3"][/audio]
Published just a few weeks ago, Girls at the Piano, is , in part, a memoir of a young girl's infatuation with the piano which over the years into her adolescence becomes a burden rather than a source of pleasure. It is also the story of her grandmother, a singer and pianist who emigrated to Australia just after the first World War to escape personal humiliation from a marriage which wasn't. These very personal stories are interwoven with a social and cultural history of the relationship between women and the piano since the 18th Century told through fictional and real characters. The author, Virginia Lloyd, spoke with Eastside's Mick Paddon, about her personal journey, the importance that playing the piano still has for her, having rediscovered the vibrancy of playing through jazz, and how she uncovered her grandmother's hidden history. Virginia also shared three pieces of music from Australian jazz pianists. The interview is introduced by Barney McCall's piece "Poverty" taken from his album Moroolbark. Part way through Virginia and Mick take a break to listen to Paul Grabowsky's interpretation of the Lennon song "Julia" from the CD Tee Vee. As the interview closes they enjoy a track from Mike Nock's live recording, Big Small Band, titled "Current Reality" The interview and the music were first put to air on Jane Raffan's Arts-Monday on April 30th as part of Eastside's International Jazz Day broadcasting.
Transforming tradition with vigour, curiosity, humour and spark, this trio from Prince Edward Island wielding bodhrán, acoustic guitar and violin plays seamless, polished, barrel-drum-tight, rhythmically innovative and wildly entertaining music. Singing both French and English, they were awarded "World Music Recording of the Year" (2015) by East Coast Music Association, been nominated for two Canadian Folk Music Awards, and received "Root-Traditional Album of the Year" (2012) from Music PEI. Their new album "Auprès du Poêle" (2016) weave old-school Acadian roots (France-Canadian) with Breton, Irish and Scottish tune, filled with wicked grooves and cunning quirks, featuring both traditional and original songs.
This will be the trio's first tour in Australia, performing at Blue Mountains Music Festival, The National Folk Festival, Yackandandah Folk Festival and a series of special concerts across TAS, VIC, and NSW.
Wed 11 April : Metropole Hotel (Katoomba), 5:30pm Thurs 12 April : Petersham Bowling Club (Sydney), 7:30pm Fri 13 April : Moonshine Bar (Manly), 9:30pm
You can visit Ten Strings & A Goat Skin on their website and their Facebook page.
Be sure to listen to The Last Waltz every Tuesday starting at 1:30 p.m.
You can listen to the entire interview here.
SONGS PLAYED LIVE IN THE STUDIO :
1: "When First I Came to Caledonia" from album "Auprès du Poêle".
2: "Melody - Colin's Tunes"
Songwriter and vocalist, Tina Harrod, releases a breathtaking new album CITY OF LONGING.
Tina’s fifth album takes her songwriting and mind-blowing vocal skills to another plane. City of Longing is an emotionally charged, soul-wrenching set with real musical depth, performed by creative and adventurous musicians as well as being co-written and produced by brilliant composer/pianist Stu Hunter.
She came into Eastside Radio to chat with Dan and Matt from Blow ahead of the launch concert at The Clovelly Bowling Club, Clovelly, Wed 11 April.
Lamine Sonko & The African intelligence burst onto the Australian music scene back in 2014 delivering a crowd-stopping performance to over 50,000 at Federation Square in Melbourne. A big band sound of African roots music, jazz and reggae, the 10 piece ensemble capture ancient pulsing rhythms accented by talking drum and virtuosic electric guitar.
The band is fronted by the charismatic, Sonko, one of Australia’s most celebrated African artists. Praised for his compelling melodies and distinct percussive blend of the traditional and contemporary, Lamine is modernising West African music while maintaining the essence of ancient sounds and stories.
Sonko joins Eric Gyors on Drive. They talk the big band sound, African beats and Sonko plays some tracks from The African Intelligence show.
Mama Kin Spender on their musical affinity, finding remedy and taking risks with Golden Magnetic
“[Tommy and I] have been friends for about 16-17 years now. You get less than that for most major crimes these days…”
It’s a playful sentiment that echoes throughout Golden Magnetic, the debut album conceived by Mama Kin (Danielle Caruana) and Melbourne producer Tommy Spender.
But aside from being a stellar collection of tracks inspired by nature, connection, love and hope – the duo have been breaking out of the records physical confines by incorporating choirs from across the country into their live shows.
Set to hit Sydney’s favourite Basement in April, Mama Kin joined Chelsea on The New Thing to delve deeper into the origins of Golden Magnetic, future plans and how they find a sense of community within each choir they perform with.
Frances Madden has been described as a rising star of jazz. As a talented young vocalist and pianist, her shows feature original tunes consisting of irresistible swing, beautiful ballads, and smokey blues, as well as distinctive covers of timeless classics. Ahead of her upcoming show at The Basement, Francis was interviewed on Drive Friday with Gemma Purves and even brought in her keyboard for a special live performance.
UK saxophonist YolanDa Brown is touring Australia with her jazz, soul and reggae album Love Politics War. She joined Thursday Drive to speak about the real-life inspirations for her record and what it’s like being a musician, a mum, and also a children’s book writer. Listen to her interview below.
Find YolanDa Brown’s upcoming shows here and her incredible album here.
The forthcoming album 'Village Idiot' is Rapaport’s second solo album, the first being released in 2009. Village Idiot follows Rapaport’s 2012 mixtape ‘Patterns’, one of the first grime releases from an Australian MC.
Rapaport joins Conor Burke on Drive, they talk Australian Hip hop, the writing process and Taylor Swift. He also gives a live performance of tracks form 'Village idiot'.
Friends and well-established musicians Clotilde Rullaud (vocalist and flutist) and Alexandre Saada (pianist and multi-instrumentalist) perform together as Madeleine & Salomon. On International Women’s Day, they joined Nick Terry on Thursday Drive to speak about their album ‘A Woman’s Journey’. After revealing to Nick why he is (what the French call) a ‘bobo’, Clotilde and Alexandre explained how they first came to perform together, why they’re called ‘Madeleine & Salomon’ and the crucial moments of a woman’s life that are captured within their show.
‘A Woman’s Journey’ pays homage to American female protest singers such as Nina Simone, Janis Joplin and Billie Holiday, and was named ‘Best Album 2016’ by the French National Radio France Musique and by Jazz Magazine and Citizenjazz. Find the album here and catch Madeleine & Salomon’s chilling live performance.
Havana Meets Kingston is the brainchild of Australian producer Mista Savona (aka Jake Savona), and it brings together some of Cuba and Jamaica's most influential musicians into one recording studio to create a one of a kind, world first album.
Never in the history of music has there been an album that collaborates Cuban and Jamaican music into one sound that brings together roots reggae, dub and dancehall together with son, salsa, rumba and Afro-Cuban to create an amazing new sound.
David Barr from Drive Tuesday spoke with Mista Savona ahead of their national tour!
Austrian-born London-based musician Manu Delago is a multi-instrumentalist by design.
Yet it came to be that in a career spanning over 10 years, the Tru-Thoughts signee is most known for playing the Hang, a percussive instrument that creates sounds so unable to be pigeonholed.
It’s this flexibility that has led him to poignant collaborations with prominent names such as Björk, the London Symphony Orchestra and, most recently, Anoushka Shankar on her grammy-nominated album Land of Gold.
But aside from these musical match-ups, Manu has also been an extensive solo artist.
His latest work Metromonk is a stunning album, divided into two halves that he says could be divided as “up and down or mountain and city, or maybe Metro and Monk”.
Chelseas Deeley from The New Thing lucky enough to catch up with Manu back in 2017 and you can catch Manu alongside Anoushka Shankar at the Sydney Opera House on Sunday the 11th of March 2018.
Andrea Keller is a pianist, composer and educator who has won just about every jazz award available in Australia- three ARIA Awards, five Australian Jazz ‘Bell’ Awards, two Art Music Awards, an APRA Professional Development Award, and fellowships from the Freedman Foundation and the Australia Council. She has performs in every format from solo piano to big band. She has played with the absolute greats of Australian Jazz including Bernie McGann, Allan Browne and Ten Part Invention as well as with many international visitors. Originally from Sydney Andrea moved to Melbourne to study in the early 1990s. She is back in Sydney to perform for the SIMA 2018 Summer Jazz season with long time collaborator Tim Wilson on saxophone and bassist Christopher Hale.
Eastside's Mick Paddon interviewed Andrea Keller for his show Time and Space talking about everything from how she first made her move from the saxophone section of a big band to the piano stool, how she got into jazz, why she has been reluctant to call herself a jazz musician. She selected two pieces of music to be played during the interview. The first song is 'sea lady' by a British trio of vocalist Norma Winstone, pianist John Taylor and saxophonist Tony Coe from their 1986 CD Somewhere Called Home . the second piece is performed by another trio- Julien Wilsoon on tenor saxophone, Stephen Magnusson on guitar and Stephen Grant on piano accordion. The track 'blessed' is from their 2207 CD trio live recorded at Bennett's Lane club in Melbourne. The interview, with the music, was first broadcast on Eastside Radio, 89.7fm on February 14th.