Double Header: Andrew Robson Trio + Dave Macrae Trio

Andrew Robson Trio 8.30 – 9.30pm

…Robson’s swinging ability and surety of command…never losing focus… 4 stars – John McBeath, The Weekend Australian

The Andrew Robson Trio, originally formed in 1990, has been together for 16 years with the present line-up. Offering brilliant new Australian music composed by alto saxophonist and leader Andrew Robson, the trio has released three critically acclaimed CDs, Scum 1997 and Sunman 2000 and most recently, Radiola (2007) on Andrew’s own label Lamplight Records.

What makes the performances and recordings so special is the sensitive/ empathic/ alive, ‘in the moment ‘ interplay between all three players, who listen as well as they play. Tonight, Ben Waples replaces Steve Elphick on bass.

Andrew Robson (saxophone) Brendan Clarke (bass) Hamish Stuart (drums)

Dave Macrae Trio 10.00 – 11.00pm

New Zealand-born pianist Dave Macrae began his musical life playing the violin and the trombone, before finding his forte on the piano. Based in Australia for the best part of the last 50 years, he established himself as a serious contender in the creative world and joined forces with some of Australia’s jazz greats, established and emerging, among them, Graham Lyall, Don Burrows and Bob Barnard. His lengthy and significant alliance with saxophonist, Bernie McGann, drummer, John Pochee and N.Z. bassist, Andrew Brown – this band’s powerful performances, featuring some highly inventive marimba playing from Dave, are still regarded as landmarks in Australian modern jazz history.

Lengthy periods in the 1970s working in the USA and London saw Macrae’s career develop further as he played with the great Buddy Rich Band, then toured the world with legendary Jazz icons, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus and Anita O’Day, while in the UK, his reputation and new found broad knowledge of the electronic keyboards placed him in great demand with the pioneering jazz /fusion British Band, Nucleus. During the formative years of fusion music, Dave MacRae’s input was invaluable and led to work with other great British bands of the 70’s such as the Mike Gibbs Orchestra, Backdoor and the indefinable Matching Mole. He also appeared regularly at Ronnie Scott’s Club with Ronnie’s Quintet, Clarke Terry, Chet Baker, Clifford Jordan, long time collaborator, Joy Yates and many illustrious others.

Since his return to Australia in 1985, Dave MacRae continues to perform and record mainly with his own trio and visiting internationals and Joy Yates, at Jazz festivals and venues throughout Australia and New Zealand. In 1990, Southern Roots, an album of his original works was recorded with Lloyd Swanton on bass and Alan Turnbull on drums. He has been at AIM since 1998 teaching keyboard, piano, ensembles and improvisation classes and also works as a musical director. Some history, his first CD containing music recorded over the last 8 years in trio or solo format, has received glowing reviews.

Dave Macrae (piano) Gary Holgate (bass) Nick Cecire (drums)