CD Launch of the Andrew Dickeson Quintet at SIMA Sound Lounge (Sydney Improvisational Music Association)

The CD launch of Weaver of Dreams by the Andrew Dickeson Quintet at the SIMA Sound Lounge of the Seymore Centre in Sydney. The quintet features Andrew Dickeson on Drums, Eamon McNelis on trumpet, Alex Boneham on double bass, Roger Manins on Saxophone, and Steve Barry on piano. Some of my photos of previous gigs feature on the CD cover...

Jazz Angel

Trumpeter Eamon McNelis playing at SIMA Sound Lounge in the Andrew Dickeson Quintet 09-04-2011

I've Just Been Published!

Woo-hoo! I've just recieved my copy of "World Music Global Sounds in Australia" by Seth Jordan, featuring a photographic portrait by yours truly of Reggae Soulmaker Sound System legends JJ and Jono Roberts, on page 89. Thanks Brent Clough for making that match happen! My friend Afro Moses also gets a mention on pg 118 -119 - small world!

Afro Moses at NOTES in Enmore.

Afro Moses, who I made some photos with last year at the Opera House, sent me a ticket to his gig last night at Notes, a new music venue in Enmore, at 73 Enmore Rd. A singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist and teacher of music, Afro Moses was born in Ghana in West Aftica where he hit the charts as a teenager, becomming known as 'The African James Brown'. Moses makes the most joyful, spirited music, using traditional instruments played masterfully - the thumb piano, a beat-box, his voice - to share his message of unity and individual beauty and talent. At the Notes gig last night, Moses was supporting the tour-launch of another group based around Indonesian singer-guitarist Tommee to celebrate the release of his fourth album “Material is Thick”. Tommee is a renowned musician who has also toured with The John Butler Trio, Harry Manx and Blue King Brown as well performing in Indonesia, Canada, Europe and Japan. The group is a fabulous trio comprised of Tommee and his exciting new rhythm section, Rory Brown on Double Bass and the very fluid Walter Piccolruaz on the Pandeiro (electric Tambourine). Of course I took my camera along...

Photoshoot with Drummer Andrew Dickeson

The Canopus drum company were keen to get some images of some of their top drummers to use on their next round of promo posters, so after the 505 gig, I offered to do a shoot under more poster-conducive lighting conditions than the wonderful atmospherics of a live Jazz venue allow. Here's some of the pics done with Sydney drummer Andrew Dickeson.

FIG at Hot Lips in Enmore

The return of music to small venues in Sydney has been a welcome development in cultural activity in the city. Along with the ban on smoking in pubs, clubs and restaurants, it makes the whole idea of getting out to hear some great live music again an absolute pleasure. Local Inner-West band FIG played at Hotlips Cafe in Enmore early in October 2009. The line-up included the multi-talented: Bradford Robinson on guitar, Gregg Telian on saxophone, Pumps Haller on Percussion, along with their this-time-absent but reputedly amazing bass-player Sean Parker. The whole gang will be performing again in 2010, when FIG will be playing at Hot Lips @ 200 Enmore Road in Enmore on Tuesday 2nd Feb 2010 at 7:30pm. They will be playing some of their original material and invite you all to come on down and have a drink and some Italian food while soaking in their tunes.

505 Speakeasy Jazz

Saturday night was a very special treat - I had the pleasure and privelege of photographing at a session with some of the best current international Jazz performers at a small gathering, hosted at by Cameron Undy (acoustic bass) at Studio 505 in Surry Hills.

The line-up included: Jerry Weldon (tenor saxophone) & Neal Cain (acoustic bass) from Harry Connick Jr's band, with Sydney's Andrew Dickeson (drums) & John Harkins (piano), plus special guest perfomances by New York drummer George Coleman Jr and two other musicians (on soprano saxophone and trombone) who's names escaped me.

Here's some great music to listen to, to get you in the mood!
George Coleman and the Rivington Project.

All That Jazz...

The Dale Barlow / George Coleman Jr Quartet, Friday night at the Seymore Centre in Chippendale, Sydney: Dale Barlow (saxophone), George Coleman Jr (drums), Steve Barry (piano), Brendan Clark (bass).

Here's a link to a sample of George Coleman's music.

Hernan Flores - A Quiet Moment

Chilean-born musician Hernan Flores is a leading figure in the Australian Latin-American music scene, pictured here in a quiet moment between sets.

Double Bass Warm-Up

A young musician warming up before the Annual Concert at the South Sydney Uniting Church in Raglan St Waterloo.

Annika Stagg - Cello

Yesterday I took a loooong lunch so I could do a small photo-shoot with my friend Annika Stagg who is due to go back to Germany on the weekend, where she has been playing in symphony orchestras. It was my first chance to give the D300s and the 50mm f1.4 lens a proper run - and I have to say, I love the results! The day was overcast and threatened to rain, but the afternoon light was lovely down at the end of Glebe Point Rd under the two huge fig trees that look out over Blackwattle Bay.