Helen's podcast

RICHARD VELLA is the current CHAIR and Professor of Music at the University of Newcastle he took time out to chat to me about THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE TIME COMPETITION.

Richard Vella is currently Chair and Professor of Music and Head of School, Drama, Fine Art and Music at the University of Newcastle. He is also Chair of the National Council of Tertiary Music Schools (NACTMUS) and sits on many advisory groups concerned with tertiary education in the creative and performing arts.

A NEW COMPETITION LAUNCHES TO CELEBRATE CUTTING EDGE CREATIVITY IN AUSTRALIA!!

“Any great art work… readapts time and space.” - Leonard Bernstein

As a celebration of collaboration, creativity and the concerto form (but not as we know it), a new competition with a total prize pool of $50,000 has launched. The International Space Time Concerto Competition borrows from our rich musical history, embraces the future and promotes the present.

The International Space Time Concerto competition encourages the involvement of even those who think Baroque’s surname is Obama. Entries are welcomed by any undergraduate, postgraduate or international student, or alumni of any Australian tertiary institution, who shares a keen interest in excellent musicianship and cutting edge creativity.

The competition includes two categories celebrating both the historical form of the concerto, as well as an innovation category, which will showcase contemporary interpretations of the form.

The competition seeks musicians from all genres including but not limited to virtuoso classical instrumentalists, orchestral players, jazz, contemporary bands, electronic and new media artists. It hopes to encourage unique collaborations with composers, performers, producers, AV/mixing engineers, all working together to produce innovative new works.

The brainchild of the University of Newcastle, the initiative confirms Australia’s identity on the international map of forward thinkers. The competition sees a creative collaboration with, the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in Singapore, Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, Waikato University in New Zealand and Ars Electronica in Austria.

The competition will culminate in the opportunity for 6 finalists to perform with an accompanying orchestra at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music Concert Hall in late 2012. Another 2 finalists will have the rare opportunity of being accompanied by an international internet-linked ensemble spanning five countries.

The prize money for this competition has been generously sponsored by benefactor Jennie Thomas with further donations from the Friends of the University.

Entries for The International Space Time Concerto Competition will be accepted from May 1 until July 1.

To enter and for additional information, please make your way to www.spacetimeconcerto.com

My special guest is Los Angeles based Bob Malone. Bob plays keyboards with rock legend John Fogerty and continues a long running and successful solo career. He plays a one-of-a -kind hybrid of blues,rock, and New Orleans R & B, delivered with high energy piano virtuosity and soulful vocals.

Bob headlines over 100 shows a year in the USA,Europe,Australia and Asia and has shared stages with Ricki Lee Jones, The neville Brothers. Rev.Al Green, Dr. John, Leon Russell and many others.
Bob Malone is a 4time recipient of the ASCAP Plus Award for independent musicians.

It is said that his music contains multitudes of rhythm, soul,jazz,blues,smoke and magic.He's an astounding piano man, gifted song writer with a voice that marries the spirit of Dr John with Elton John. He's the train that never stops... Bob took time out to chat to me about his sixth tour to Australia. He'll be featuring at the FREE ENTRY Blues on Broadbeach Festival May 24-27 and will be performing at the Brisbane Jazz Club with Australian pianist Pugsly Buzzard on Thursday 31 st May 2012.

For more tour dates and to listen to Bob Malone go to http://bobmalone.com

This interview/podcast with Mike Nock has been posted to celebrate Mike Nock’s 70th birthday on September 27th 2010. Best wishes from JazzXpress Mike you are an inspiration to all who have met and learnt from you. Your music appreciated by all who have enjoyed your performances and recordings. I personally thank Mike for his time and generosity.

“Mike Nock is an international treasure…” JAZZ TIMES (USA)

Mike Nock’s contribution to Australian and New Zealand jazz is crucial on an individual and general level. He has influenced several generations of aspiring jazz players who reference, in greater or lesser degree his approach to piano but more importantly, who have been deeply affected by his ideas about exploring the jazz tradition with an ear to the future rather than being bound by the past.

As a band leader he has mentored many of our leading musicians, allowing his work as a teacher to be completed on the bandstand via his small groups and his larger ensembles. At seventy he remains an original, dynamic, creative force with a world-wide reputation as an original piano stylist, as a composer and innovator.

Mike Nock Trio’s new CD An Accumulation of Subtleties, but also Mike’s newly released biography SERIOUS FUN – The Life and Music of Mike Nock by Norman Meehan (Victoria University Press) and co-incidentally Mike’s 70th birthday.

Mike Nock (born September 27, 1940 in Christchurch, New Zealand) is a jazz pianist, currently based in Australia. He began studying piano at 11 and by 18 was performing in Australia. He headed a trio that toured England in 1961 and then attended Berklee College of Music. He was a member of Yusef Lateef's band from 1963 to 1965.

During 1968-70 Nock was involved with fusion, leading The Fourth Way. After a few years he became a studio musician in New York (1975-85) and then returned to Australia.

New Zealand born pianist/composer Mike Nock is one of the acknowledged masters of jazz in Australasia. His reputation rests partly on his imposing international experience which includes twenty-five years working in the USA with many of the world’s top jazz musicians such as: Coleman Hawkins, Yusef Lateef, Dionne Warwick, Michael Brecker, etc…

a large catalogue of critically acclaimed, internationally released recordings
his role as leader of the 1970’s seminal jazz-rock group The Fourth Way
a substantial body of original compositions in print and on recordings

“Nock’s ringing iconoclasm pervades all his music, taps a deep well of melody that transcends jazz and informs and ignites his every encounter.” - Fred Bouchard, Down Beat (USA)

Bio
Bob Sedergreen's high regard and position in Australian music is unquestionable. His impact and influence in performance, composition and education has secured his place as a national treasure. Bob has been associated with some of most recognised talents both in Australia and internationally. People like Jimmy Witherspoon, Nat Adderley and Dizzy Gillespie, to name but a few. Australian artists include: John Sangster, Don Burrows, Brian Brown, Judy Jacques... and more.

Bob's musical abilities find him leading and working with a plethora of diverse ensembles and groups. From the traditional to the most contemporary, he infuses the music with authority of style, creative expression and wit, in a manner that is never arrogant or condescending. He has recorded over twenty albums, three CD's and three cassettes.

Bob has toured extensively both here and overseas including Montreal, Malaysia and Europe. He has been advisor to the Montsalvat International Jazz Festival and involved in the introduction of new talent as well as negotiating and supervising the Nat Adderley Quintet and The McCoy Tyner Trio.

In 1990 Bob won the Inaugural Jazz Award for Australia's Best Keyboardist. As an educator, Bob is responsible for setting up the Jazz components at the Melbourne University's Artist in Residence Scheme throughout country and city secondary schools of Victoria.

To play with Bob Sedergreen has been described as the "ultimate armchair ride", to hear him is always exciting and satisfying.

KEN MYERS MEDALLION
In 2006, BOB SEDERGREN was awarded The Ken Myers Medallion for Contributions to the Arts by the Victorian arts Centre. he was the first musician to be given this award .
Hear Me Talking To Ya HEAR ME TALKING TO YA
Bob releases his new book Hear Me Talking To Ya.

Books available through Identity Promotions PO BOX 2384, KEW.3101 $20) plus postage or at any of Bob's gigs or just go to your favourite Bookstore and purchase it.

Graeme Bell AO MBE b.1914

Graeme Emerson Bell, ‘The Father of Australian Jazz,’ was born in Melbourne on 7 September 1914.

Graeme was 11 when he began studying classical piano, but he was converted to jazz by his younger brother, trumpeter Roger.

The Youth League sponsored Bell’s participation in the 1947 World Youth Festival in Prague.

 In 1997, he was inducted into the Aria Awards Hall of Fame. In 2003 members of the All Stars reformed under the name Graeme Bell Reunion Band. They undertook a series of limited engagements and recorded an album of Australian jazz compositions.

The Australian jazz awards, which commenced in 2003, are named ‘The Bell Awards’ in his honour. In 2004 the Victorian Jazz Archive mounted a special exhibition to celebrate Bell’s 90th birthday. 

Graeme Bell spoke to Helen Simons about his music.

Vibraphonist percussionist Kym Ambrose speaks to Helen Simons about his love for Brazillian music. Kym's partner, Anje West (vocalist & percussionist) formed the unique Australian group The View From Madeleine's Couch. This unique group, based in Brisbane, Australia, play Brazilian and original inspired
Brazilian music. With a line-up led by the vibraphone, this band creates a sound truly distinct from any other Latin group in the country.

This interview with guitarist Ewan MacKenzie was recorded by Helen Simons for Australian community radio broadcasters to promote the development of the popular genre of Gypsy Swing and OzManouche celebrating the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephan Grappelli. Ewan is also the Director of the OzManouche Festival held at the end of November in Brisbane,Queensland Australia. For more information go to: www.myspace.com/jazzxpress;
www.ozmanouche.com