In their third studio album, 'Shadows and Light', nineteen-piece Sydney ensemble Divergence Jazz Orchestra present a collection of original Australian compositions that explore both the shadows and the light of the human experience.

Compositions from bandleader Jenna Cave, album co-producer and guest soloist Paul Cutlan, and friends/collaborators Miroslav Bukovsky and Andrew Scott, take the listener through moments of darkness, fear, hope, reflection, exuberance, joy and optimism, a meditation on what it is to be living fully. Masterfully captured by the much sought after recording engineer Ross A’Hern, this stellar recording, with a warm lush sound, features exceptional soloists and ensemble players representing a diverse cross section of the creative music community in Sydney.

Tracks 1, 3, 6 and 7 composed by Jenna Cave

Track 4 composed by Paul Cutlan

Tracks 2 and 8 composed by Miroslav Bukovsky, arr. Cave/Bukovsky

Track 5 by Andrew Scott

Director/ Resident composer and arranger
Jenna Cave

Trombones
Paul Weber (co-bandleader)
Alex Silver
Rose Foster
Luke Davis

Trumpets/Flugelhorns
Matt Collins
James Power
Paul Murchison
Will Endicott
Will Gilbert

Saxophones/Woodwinds
Loretta Palmeiro
Abi McCunn
David Reglar
Louis Klaassen
Laura Power
Paul Cutlan (solos tracks 1 and 8)

Double Bass Hannah James
Guitar Yutaro Okuda
Piano Adrian Keevill
Drums Mike Quigley
Voice Marie Le Brun (track 3)

The band navigates this new set of often technically-challenging compositions with an impressive level of musicality and precision…Jenna Cave and Divergence Jazz Orchestra’s third impressive recording project in a decade is a tremendous accomplishment of ability and fortitude

- Dave Lisik, MyJazzReview.com

I believe this lovely album progress the art of big band jazz in this country

• Eric Myers, AJazz Magaizne

Following a highly acclaimed debut album release in 2013, Divergence Jazz Orchestra release their second album ‘Fake It Until You Make It’ – featuring original music composed by Jenna Cave, Brendan Champion, Luke Davis, Paul Murchison and Miroslav Bukovsky – performed by some of Sydney‘s most versatile young musicians.

Each tune on this album contains that zest, energy and buzz that are at the core of Divergence Jazz Orchestra’s principles and an affinity for groove that accentuates the validity and freshness of a jazz orchestra in today’s musical landscape. All of the compositions on this release show originality, and the mix of sound worlds vary from swing to New Orleans to gospel ballads featuring luscious harmonies, exciting writing and all of the features that make for a top-notch jazz album.

Tracks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 composed by Jenna CaveTracks 8 and 11 composed by Brendan ChampionTrack 1 composed by Luke DavisTracks 10 and 8 composed by Miroslav Bukovsky, arr. Cave

Conductor/Resident composer and arranger
Jenna Cave

Trombones
Paul Weber (Co-Director)
Brendan Champion
Tim Coggins
Luke Davis (bass)

Trumpets and Flugelhorns
Paul Murchison
Rob Campbell
Will Endicott
Paul Meo
Will Gilbert

Rhythm Section
Luke Liang (guitar)
Andrew Scott (piano)
David Groves (bass)
James McCaffrey (drums)

Saxophones and Woodwinds
Justin Buckingham (alto, flute)
Loretta Palmeiro (alto, soprano, clarinet)
David Reglar (tenor, alto)
Louis Klaassen (tenor)
Tim Clarkson (baritone, bass clarinet)

This is virtuoso horn writing
– John Hardaker, AUSTRALIAN JAZZ.NET 

Independently produced and funded,  The Opening Statement is a showcase of the music of bandleader Jenna Cave. The collection of selected works, composed between 2006 to 2013, were rewritten for Divergence Jazz Orchestra in collaboration with Paul Weber, and collectively developed for performance by the ensemble. At the time of recording the group was made up of 18 of Sydney’s most committed young jazz musicians, aged 19 to 34, who shared a special interest in performing original large ensemble music.

Composer and Conductor
Jenna Cave

Trombones
Paul Weber (Co-Musical Director, lead)
Brendan Champion
Tim Coggins
Mitchell Nissen (bass)

Trumpets and Flugelhorns
Dane Laboyrie (lead)
Matthew Collins
Luke Stephens
Paul Meo
Will Gilbert

Saxophones and Woodwinds
Justin Buckingham (lead alto, soprano, flute)
Joshua Willard (alto, clarinet)
Evan Harris (tenor, flute)
Michael Avgenicos (tenor)
Chris O’Dea (baritone)

Rhythm Section
Luke Liang (guitar)
David Groves (bass)
James McCaffrey (drums) 

Four stars…A highly listenable album… Cave has established herself as a top-level composer, arranger and conductor in Australian jazz
- John McBeath, The Australian newspaper

Four stars…Divergence Jazz Orchestra is remarkably strong and consistently pleasing… Cave writes with depth and maturity well beyond her years, a virtue not lost on the DJO, which carries out her wishes to the letter
– Jack Bowers, ALL ABOUT JAZZ