Jazz
The Age
Saturday July 11, 2009
WHAT West End Composers CollectiveWHERE Bennetts Lane Jazz Lab, cityWHEN Tomorrow, 9.30pmCOST $18/$15, bennettslane.comKEEPING a 10-piece contemporary jazz ensemble together as an ongoing enterprise is no easy task, but the remarkable West End Composers Collective has risen to the challenge since forming in 2003. Led by pianist Steve Newcomb, the ensemble grew out of a series of monthly gatherings of young improvising musicians and composers in Brisbane; six years later, the band has released two fine CDs and is in the middle of its first national tour.The most recent recording, Driving Hat, features original compositions by one of the band's members, saxophonist Rafael Karlen, whose writing explores a range of moods and instrumental textures. For tomorrow night's concert, the band's regular line-up (five horns, guitar, vocals, piano, bass and drums) will be augmented by Melbourne trumpeter Eugene Ball, who has composed a new piece for this performance, and will appear with the ensemble as guest soloist. -- JESSICA NICHOLAS
© 2009 The Age