i doubt if there is a harder working musician than sandy evans
the bands she is a current and founding member of includes -
ten part invention, gest8, the catholics, snap and australysis
she teaches, guests, composes, plays and tours frequently
one day she will be the subject of a feature film or a book
certainly at least a cover story in the smh good weekend
and then everyone will finally get out and see her perform
but until then - there are about 20 of us at tonight's show
she's here tonight in trio mode with toby hall and brett hirst
i had the great fortune of seeing them only a month or so ago
as with all (but one) of her other groups - see them every time
a walk into an empty room and the trio are in final preparations
feeling a bit of an interloper as she runs them through the tunes
another reason to respect this performer - she respects us
she takes nothing for granted - least of all her audience
and sure enough when they fire up it's serious music
a long slow number demanding concentration from all
didn't catch the name but presumably another new piece
sandy evans being one of the most prolific composers around
but then it's back in familiar territory as the drone is fired up
and sandy then introduces a distinctly indian influenced tune
she says she has been studying indian music lately with difficulty
still trying to find her way in she says - could have fooled me
the influence clear to hear with sandy now on soprano sax
think snake-charmer and add in compatible percussion
as eastern sounding as is possible with drums/bass/sax
and then another change in direction with a jovial tune
leprechaun sam and his annoying frequencies - or something
a tune with lots of stop-start activity requiring skilled playing
there are various other tunes of equal impressive musicianship
sandy taking the time to announce and explain her sources
which is something i always enjoy about her performances
her talk is always informative and always cheerful and gracious
tonight in particular she is most grateful to us and her hosts
thankful for the opportunity to play for us at this venue
me thinking how lucky are we to see this trio intimately
they being in-demand internationally at large festivals
tonights show ending with some guests joining the trio
a violinist and 2 saxophone players now playing with them
sandy mostly looking on with pride as they make the most of it
i believe they are students of hers and they all do her proud
a rousing finale with the 6 of them playing long and loud
matching applause as the tune and performance winds up
all of us conscious that we have seen a great show
the band themselves obviously also happy
...another fine musical sunday night
