BAZ

BAZ is the new project by Aaron Flower, simply titled by his affectionate nickname.

Taking first place in the 2007 National Jazz awards sees him at the forefront of modern jazz music in Australia, and as John Shand (SMH) wrote …it was his artistry that won him the award.

His supremely lyrical playing has led him to work with jazz artists such as Vince Jones, Eddie Bronson and Dale Barlow, James Morrison and Elana Stone. He also co-leads a host of projects including the power trio the Alcohotlicks, the country inspired bands Zoe & the Buttercups and Sidecar.

The slightly unconventional line up of this new project sees a further maturing in Flower’s writing to a more ensemble driven and through composed approach. The addition of the lap steel brings a great depth to the dynamic range allowing space for a blissful tonal blend with the upright bass.

Thoughtfully restrained for the most part there is also plenty of room for Aaron’s electric guitar to take flight and wail atop muscular flourishes from the drums.

The music is decidedly filmic, playful, slightly melancholic but overall uplifting and beautiful, even at its most trashy and discordant moments. With one tune entitled A Bit like Bach there are some obvious classical references, along with a healthy touch of Bill Frisell, more compositionally than stylistically.

James Muller has always been a strong local influence on Flower’s playing, but there is also a detectable blues influence coming from Stevie Ray Vaughn. Other influences are as wide ranging as Albert Collins, Jim Hall, Jimi Hendrix and Joe Pass.

The band’s rhythm section comprises long time collaborators Zoe and James Hauptmann (upright bass and drums respectively). Joined on tenor sax by their old musical friend Karl Laskowski, the ensemble is completed by newcomer, Bruce Reid on Lap Steel.

Flower’s compositions are as masterful as his playing and the band moved freely through different moods, textures and time feels from the irresistible upbeat swagger of A Bit Like Bach, to the world-weary beauty of Mahler – Jessica Nicholas, The Age.