part 2 of the trio of trios over the 3 days of this weekend
sandy evans is the shining star of the australian contemporary music scene
much is made of the fact that she is a woman working in a male dominated area
she overcame that decades ago and now is an extraordinary composer and musician
at least 2 of her other permanent groups are personal must-see favourites of mine
ten part invention and gest8 are both large groups that rely on her playing and composing
tonight is the first time i have seen her in a much smaller numbered lineup
a similarly slimmed-down brett hirst her choice of musician on standup bass
toby hall also looking trimmer than last seen appointed to take care of drums
i didn't know what to expect musically tonight apart from some quality playing
a chance for sandy to fly off freely in any direction she chose to go
this confirmed in the first part of the first tune titled 3 channels
the 3 of them immediately hard at work on their respective instruments
randomly and furiously played to somehow make a coherent absorbing sound
sandy then counting them in as the tune morphed into one with beat and noise
lucky me down the front feeling totally as one with their early connection
brett hirst looking in transcendence as his eyes locked on to something middle distance
toby hall playing as though possessed and delivering up a vast array of sounds
his ability to do this without over-powering the music a most impressive skill
it's a great start with sandy crediting the composer as sydney based eddie bronson
then a change in style as sandy talks briefly about her recent trip to india
flicks the switch on some electronic device and we're now in that part of the world
brett hirst then impressively playing solo bass with a matching eastern feel
sandy then picking up her soprano saxophone to work in a compatible sound
me thinking how lucky we all are to hear the results of her musical adventure
another case of world experiences infusing compositions and coming out in music
sandy always ready to push the musical envelope out of the comfort zone
and i suspect teaming up with musicians willing and able to do the same
after only 3 tunes i was completely mesmerised by this trio
all thoughts of a likely night of fine jazz standards now gone
this group prepared to take on all the risks of live performance
the challenge of playing relatively unfamiliar and complex music
but knowing that given the right circumstances it can be exhilarating
tonight it all came together - assisted in a small part by the audience i hope
it's not often at this venue that complete silence is given over
the sometimes annoying applause for solos dissipated
with some relief allowing the musicians to concentrate fully
some recent reading suggesting this is the preference of musicians
in the second set sandy continued to announce and talk about her music
2 tunes in particular again highlighting sandy's nature inspirations
the triumphant arch a new tune dedicated to the beauty of rainbows
followed by sunshine on tears also inspired by that natural occurrence
by now the band in full flight with each musician inspired by each other
the on-stage body language and chat confirming full contentment
the big one for me in the final set a tune back-announced as sa-ha
another indian-inspired piece of slow, superb, saxophone-playing
various movements giving each of the trio time to let loose
all contained within the beautiful feel of this quite dreamy piece
all too soon the night winding up with another local tune
sandy paying her respects to her peer mr bernie mcgann
his tune scatology a rousing ensemble piece ending the night
an audience laying on loud and long applause for this superb band
2 down 1 to go - gotta love the trio format - next.......
