Double-header: Kim Lawson Trio + Matt McMahon Trio
Kim Lawson Trio
Formed in 2008, The Kim Lawson Trio is fast becoming one of Sydney’s most unique trio voices. Featuring renowned bassist Steve Hunter and powerhouse drummer James Hauptmann, they have just released their debut album Alive and Kicking. The Trio delivers a set of meticulous compositions, each piece having its own identity, being tightly framed and concise, yet with space built-in for improvisation and the expression of each member of the trio. Although drawing from jazz, classical, funk and various other sources, with new compositions, a diversity of textures and emotionally dynamic playing, the trio succeeds completely in having its own sound.
Kim Lawson on saxophones, originally from Cairns, is quickly establishing a reputation for his tenacious and inventive improvising and huge sound. After studying under some prominent Australian jazz icons such as Dale Barlow, Judy Bailey, Dave Panichi and Craig Scott, Lawson has been playing, recording and touring in and around Sydney for over 7 years in a number of musical settings ranging from swinging jazz, Latin and funk ensembles to 18-piece big bands, here and in New York. Some of these groups include The Crusty Suitcase Band, Chuck Yates Trio, Kim Lawson Trio and The Hang among others.
Steve Hunter has been a renowned bass player and composer in the Australian and international jazz scene for over 20 years. He has released 8 albums as a leader and has over 100 of his compositions released on albums by other artists as well as his own. He has played and recorded with many of Australia’s finest players as well as with some of the world’s jazz stars such as Chick Corea, Billy Cobham, Bobby Previte among others. Hunter resides in Sydney and plays in several bands including his own Steve Hunter group, The Translators, The Subterraneans and the Kim Lawson Trio. Steve’s most recent release Dig My Garden was the biggest selling Australian jazz release of 2007.
James Hauptmann is one of the most in demand drummers in Sydney. A professional Sydney-based drummer originally from Canberra, he completed a BMus Jazz degree in 2003 at the ANU. Since the move to Sydney James has been playing, recording and touring in a variety of bands nationally and internationally, including Mark Isaacs Trio, Steve Hunter Band, Exposed Bone, James Ryan Trio, House of Reps featuring Dale Barlow, Elana Stone, James Muller Quartet and the Judy Bailey Trio.
Kim Lawson (saxophones) Steve Hunter (electric bass) James Hauptmann (drums)
The first time I heard Kim I was playing with him at an impromptu jam at someone’s house in early 2007. Immediately dug his natural musicality, great time feel, hip melodic ideas, soulful sound and maybe most importantly – a sense of when to flex his chops and when not to. Naturally, I was happy to join up with him and James Hauptmann to play some trio music. I think Kim’s a really unique and natural composer, and the music on ‘Alive and Kicking’ is truly some of the music I’m most proud of in 30-odd years of playing and recording. Steve Hunter
Matt McMahon Trio
Matt McMahon is a pianist / keyboardist / composer based in Australia. He leads his own groups and co-leads Band of Five Names with Phil Slater and Simon Barker. Matt has won the National Jazz award (1999) and the Freedman Jazz Fellowship (2005). He has played/recorded with luminaries including Dale Barlow, Greg Osby, Phil Slater, Katie Noonan, Vince Jones, Bobby Previte, Steve Hunter, Guy Strazz and many more and played concerts and festivals throughout Australia and Asia. The Matt McMahon Trio has been playing together for 14 years and are recording a new album later this year. They will perform some new pieces and pieces from their acclaimed album Ellipsis.
Regardless of tempo or rhythmic feel he commands a pianistic technique that enables him to express most ideas that occur to him and the range of these is vast. This is an essential acquisition for anyone who appreciates the best work by rhythm section trios. Music Forum
The recording quality is excellent and the music is as good as any current piano-trio jazz – John Shand, SMH
Matt McMahon (piano) Jono Brown (bass) Simon Barker (drums)
