Double Header: Leonie Cohen Trio + Jeremy Sawkins Trio

Jeremy Sawkins Trio 8.30 – 9.30

Led by Sydney-based guitarist Jeremy Sawkins, this is a relatively new group but with strong musical associations.

Jeremy and Hugh have had a long musical friendship going back to the 1980’s. Hugh was part of Jeremy’s trio Reflex Unit (with Toby Hall) in the early part of this decade, while Nic and Jeremy have been playing solidly in the free improvisation trio Improv Portal for the last two years (with saxophonist Sean Coffin).

The Jeremy Sawkins Trio features all original material and covers a broad area of contemporary jazz styles. Catch the debut of this dynamic unit for SIMA tonight.

Jeremy Sawkins (guitar) Hugh Fraser (bass) Nic Cecire (drums)

Leonie Cohen Trio 10.00 – 11.00pm

…A contemporary jazz ensemble of the highest order.….. Cohen plays absolutely beautifully. Superb – John Clare – SMH

Cohen is one of Australia’s foremost young jazz pianists and composers. She has performed extensively throughout Australia (Opera House, Spiegel Tent, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Bennetts Lane, Basement) and has toured Asia to great acclaim. She has performed with David Campbell, and regularly works with Christa Hughes and Edwina Blush.

Tonight, in the intimate piano trio mode, the band will play a mix of material from her brilliant CD Jerusalem (commissioned as a quintet by the ABC) as well as some original compositions and a smattering of standards.

Hugh Fraser has worked with Don Burrows, Ten Part Invention, Dewey Redman, Guy Strazz, Mike Nock, James Morrison, Kevin Hunt and many others as well as musical theatre, including playing live in Guys and Dolls and Cabaret. Hugh has also performed with internationals, including Lorna Luft, Bobby Shew and Richie Cole. He performs regularly with Rhonda Burchmore and has recorded CD’s for Australian Theatre Legends Judy Connelli and Geraldine Turner.

Simon Barker has performed throughout Australia, Europe, Asia, USA and Russia as a soloist and with many key artists and bands, including Australian Art Orchestra, Elvis Costello, the SSO, Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter, Paul Grabowsky, Joe Lovano, Ed Schuller and Scott Tinkler. He has recently toured Europe and the US with Lucinda Peters, Japan with the Makoto Kuria trio and JAJO, China with Peter Sherr and Korea with the Heo Jin Oh trio.

The Leonie Cohen Trio has been playing together since early 2000 and the ABC will record them in September, featuring Cohen’s compositions and arrangements. A very special evening of beautiful music – not be missed.

Cohen’s piano is glorious. Not only is her playing extremely tasteful and sure, her sound is beautiful – Greg Levine – Jazz Australia

Leonie Cohen (piano) Hugh Fraser (bass) Simon Barker (drums)