Divergence Jazz Orchestra with Judy Bailey
7:30pm, Thursday July 25 2013 at the Sound Lounge (Seymour Centre) In this special concert supported by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, the Divergence Jazz Orchestra will be presenting a contrasting set of exciting new Australian music with special guest jazz legend Judy Bailey. Bailey will join Divergence on piano while debuting her work Contrasts, composed especially for this concert. The performance will also premiere new pieces Flamenco Dreams by Jessica Wells, known for her work as a film composer and orchestrator; Circles in Life, a minimalist inspired work by PhD composition candidate Nadia Burgess; and Twerking it Nyabs Style; a raucous New Orleans brass band-inspired tune from band leader Jenna Cave. Recent works by Steve Newcomb, Rafael Karlen, Bill Motzing and Cave will also be performed.
Formed in 2012, the Divergence Jazz Orchestra is made up of some of Sydney’s most talented young jazz musicians, with highlight performances at the Jazzgroove Association, Bohemian Grove and the 2013 Autumn Vibes festival. Their music, by Jenna Cave and other Australian composers, is adventurous and captivating, drawing influence from many idioms including contemporary jazz, West African music, minimalism, swing, hip hop and New Orleans grooves.
Performers: Jenna Cave (composer/conductor), Paul Weber (trombone/co-leader); Dane Laboyrie, Matt Collins, Luke Stephens, Will Gilbert, Paul Murchison (trumpets); Justin Buckingham, Josh Willard, Evan Harris, Louis Klassen, Chris O’Dea (saxes); Brendan Champion, Ellie Shearer, Mitch Nissen (trombones); Luke Liang (guitar), Andrew Scott (piano), Dave Groves (bass), James McCaffrey(drums).
Tickets: $15/20 , book here
Divergence gigs and news
After conducting a successful crowd funding campaign in late 2012 on pozible: www.pozible.com/divergence, The Divergence Jazz Orchestra have raised over $6000 with the help of 125 supporters to head into the studio in April 2013 to record our first album. This is a really exciting project, and we will be a recording a selection of Jenna's best compositions for jazz orchestra dating back to 2006. In our first concert for 2013 we will return to Sydney's Bohemian Grove on February 17 with some new tunes to share. The performance will be the premiere of two new pieces from band members Brendan Champion and Jenna Cave, while showcasing other music by Rafael Karlen (Brisbane), Elliot Hughes (Melbourne) and Jenna Cave . Expect and night of captivating new Australian music performed with high energy and precision by some of Sydney's best young section players and soloists. 7 for 7:30 start, $10 entry. For venue location email divergencejazzorchestra@gmail.com.
We will be performing a 45 minute set at the Autumn Vibes at the Sydney Botanical Gardens on March 10th, from 11:30. This will be a great exposure for the band, as the event will be well publicised and the gardens usually get thousands of visitors through on their annual open day.
We are also very excited to announce that we are the recipients of a Contemporary Music Performance grant from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. The grant will be used to assist with costs involved with concert production and promotion, for a performance to be held later in 2013. The concert will feature special guest, Australian jazz legend Judy Bailey, who is composing a new work for Divergence.
Looking forward to an exciting year of music!
Hear below a live recording from out gig at Bohemian Grove in August 2012.
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