Tom O'Halloran Trio + Eddie Bronson Trio

Due to an unfortunate last-minute cancellation, the Dodo Sosoko Trio will not be performing. SIMA is thrilled to present the Tom O’Halloran Trio, fresh from their exciting debut at Jazz:Now 2007 at the Sydney Opera House.

Tom O’Halloran’s Green Hills and White Clouds is a vibrant set of original piano trio jazz which draws on non-jazz elements too. It’s a feast of memorable melodies and nice grooves, with improvisatory spark and superb sound quality – Doug Spencer, ABC Perth.

Tom, originally from Perth and now living and working in Sydney, is completing a Master of Music (Composition) degree at the Sydney Conservatorium. Since living in Sydney, Tom has worked as conductor/pianist for the new musical theatre piece The Hanging of Jean-Lee at the Sydney Opera House, which was recorded by the ABC and Sunday Arts. He works with many brilliant local artists including trumpeter Phil Slater, bassist Cameron Undy and singers Max Sharam, Geoff Duff , John Morrison’s Big Band, Virna Sanzone and Hugo Race (Bad Seeds). Tom has also performed at The Newcastle Jazz Festival and is a seminal member of the group VOID, who reperformed at Rome’s Celimontana festival in 2006. He was selected (by the artist herself) to perform his original compositions as support for the American jazz star Natalie Cole, at the Perth Convention Centre in September of 2004 and was also a nominee of the 2003 Freedman Foundation Jazz Fellowship, where he gave a resounding performance at the Sydney Opera House to critical acclaim from the Sydney Morning Herald.

Tom’s study of composition has been undertaken with tutelage from Trevor Pearce and Michael Smetanin and with them he has been working on chamber pieces influenced by composers from the Avant Garde such as Ligeti, Berio, Crumb and Nono. Tom also conducted Liszt’s Les Preludes with the Fremantle Symphony Orchestra in their end of year concert of 2004. He appeared at the Fremantle International Jazz Festival in 2002 and conducted Graham Wood’s commissioned work, Joan. In 2000 he was selected to be WA Conducting Intern with the West Australian Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Peter Moore. During his time there he premiered a new work by James Ledger at the Perth Concert Hall. Of that performance, Neville Cohen in The West Australian wrote: “If O’Halloran’s conducting last night is anything to go by, this young musician has a lot going for him.”

Tom has led his trio since 1994 and this is his new Sydney version, which made its debut at the Jazz:Now festival last month at the Sydney Opera House. Expect a set of exquisite originals that seduce and capture the heart and imagination from international touring artist / pianist / conductor / composer Tom O’Halloran.

Pianist,composer and conductor Tom O’Halloran led his trio in a sparkling set full of rhythmic teamwork, subtle or sudden gear shifts, zipping pace and dancing lyricism that has characterized the jazz piano trio tradition – John Clare.

Tom O’Halloran (piano) Cameron Undy (bass) Evan Mannell (drums)

Eddie Bronson Trio

Back at the Sound Lounge after his July quintet performance, tonight sees Sydney’s legendary saxophonist Eddie Bronson (pictured, left) perform a high-energy set of original, spontaneous, free jazz with two local in-demand young musicians – Mike Majkowski and James Waples – both of whom are making an impact on the jazz scene and perform regularly with other great artists, including Mike Nock.

Expect spiritually uplifting, passionate and connected music as Eddie leads the trio through a brilliant hour of improvisation at its best.