JAZZ VISIONS: Alister Spence Trio + Remco Keijzer Band

Alister Spence Trio 8.30 – 9.30pm

The cutting edge of modern Australia defined – Sydney Morning Herald

The Alister Spence Trio comprises Alister Spence (piano), Lloyd Swanton (bass) and Toby Hall (drums, glockenspiel). The trio released their first album Three is a Circle in 2000 and received ARIA nominations for subsequent albums Flux (2003) and Mercury (2007). fit is the band’s fourth album.

Alister Spence is an outstanding pianist and composer in contemporary jazz in Australia. His playing is featured on more than 30 CDs, several of which have won ARIA Awards. Spence has played with many of the finest musicians in Australia including Bernie McGann, Sandy Evans, Don Burrows, Dale Barlow, Tony Buck and Phil Slater. In addition to writing and performing with The Alister Spence Trio, Spence lectures in Jazz Performance and Arranging at UNSW University.

Drummer Toby Hall is highly regarded in contemporary Australian jazz. He has been a member of The catholics and Peter Dasent’s The Umbrellas among others, and has performed with many of Australia’s finest jazz musicians including Bernie McGann, Andrew Robson, Paul Grabowsky, Mike Nock and Don Burrows. For over a decade Toby has been a member of trombonist James Greening’s outfit The World According to James, whose latest album Lingua Franca won Best Independent Jazz Album at the 2009 Jagermeister AIR Awards.

Tonight they are joined by special guest Mike Majkowski on bass.

The Alister Spence Trio’s fit explores the concept of ‘fitting’, or blending, textures, free improvisation, soundscapes and editing together to form an album that is both an artistic statement and an exploration of the possibilities of a highly attuned and experienced jazz trio.

The Alister Spence Trio is spellbinding and when these three long time collaborators get together a bewitching musical world unfolds. From shadowy insistent funk, to racing swing or trance-like ambient echoes this trio have it all. With members from The Necks, The Australian Art Orchestra and Wanderlust it is little wonder this band is making a name for itself overseas.

Tonight, hear a set of the music the trio is renowned for, with compelling projected imagery by film artist Louise Curham, set to the band’s music. Louise is highly regarded in the experimental film world for her work using ‘obsolete media’, hand worked super 8 films.

Alister Spence (piano) Mike Majkowski (special guest, bass) Toby Hall (drums)

Remco Keijzer Band 10.00 – 11.00pm

Since settling in Australia almost a year ago, Amsterdam-based saxophone player Remco Keijzer has made a fast entry into the jazz scene and has been playing all over Australia with his Remco Keijzer Quartet and his Sydney based Keijzer/McGuiness Quintet.

Tonight’s music features his original compositions, ranging from earthy grooving, insistently swinging to gently lyrical, but the experience ultimately all comes down to the ensemble – featuring some of Sydney’s finest. Whether breathing life into written material or creating something out of thin air, their magic is persuasive. With his quartet he will play his new originals best described as melodic, modern creative jazz.

Keijzer really shines, with unique, well-crafted compositions and soulful playing – Chris Potter

Remco Keijzer (tenor Saxophone) Matt McMahon (piano) Brendan Clarke (bass) Evan Mannell (drums)