Some thoughts behind my music

A relatively New Band of mine, Collider, will be performing this weekend at the closing party for the Melbourne JaZZ Fringe Festival closing party Big Arse Sunday SUnday the 8th May at 303

Collider is a band that consists of trombone, tenor saxophone, drums and a string section of violin, viola and double bass. It creates a very unique and interesting sound.

Band Members are

Myself – Trombone

Adam Simmons – Sax

Andrea Keeble – Violin

Jason Dunn – Viola

Ronny Ferella – Drums

Anita Hustas – Double Bass

The other interesting aspect of the band is that everyone in it is a very strong composer in their own right which has allowed us to pursue a different approach to how the band chooses to perform. Rather than getting a bunch of tunes up we have decided to approach each future performance as an opportunity for one member of the ensemble to compose for the band. In the past both Adam and myself have composed music for various concerts and Andrea and Anita have composed work for performances at The Womans JaZZ Festival. On June 22 we will be presenting new work by Ronnie and Anita as part of th La Mamma Music series.

I have also had my head down writing for the group. My new work is a really stripped back approach to composition. I am attempting to focus in on the purity of sound and therefore trying to pair back anything I have written that is unnecessary. The idea of a purity of sound also has certain religious connotations to me, something I have avoided for a long period of my life but feel ready to tackle now. The obvious reference points for this new music I am struggling with would be Messiaen and the stark music of Morton Feldman.

For a review of the bands recent gig here is a link from AusJaZZ.net