JAZZ ALBUM REVIEWS IN THE AUSTRALIAN
In September, 2017 Eric Myers commenced reviewing jazz albums in the Review supplement of The Weekend Australian. All reviews in this folder are written by Myers.
JAZZ
THE LIGHT & THE DARK
KRISTIN BERARDI
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Earshift Music
Five stars
Published in the Weekend Australian, October 8, 2022
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This is a remarkably brave and revealing album from an immensely talented Australian jazz singer. In nine of her compositions, some dealing with the angst she has experienced in intimate relationships, Kristin Berardi bares her soul in a way that invites comparison with Joni Mitchell (think A Case of You). Her quartet, playing with typical New York intensity, brings Berardi’s music to life with extraordinary brilliance and empathy: Ingrid Jensen (trumpet), Miro Sprague (piano), Marty Jaffe (double bass) and Jerome Jennings (drums). Guests on two tracks are Australians Troy Roberts (saxophone) and Sam Anning (bass), the album’s co-producer. Berardi’s lyrics, a cry from the heart, are commendably ambiguous, but still meaningful. Two of many highlights are He Was a Loaded Gun, an expose of the personality of a participant in an abusive relationship; and Australian Mark Sholtez’s deeply sad song What You Want, beautifully performed by Berardi and Sprague. Note throughout Berardi’s formidable ability as an exponent of the wordless vocal.
Eric Myers
JAZZ
DRUM JUNK
ALLY
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Independent
Four stars
Published in the Weekend Australian, October 15, 2022
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This is a signature album from enterprising saxophonist Gai Bryant who, through determination and entrepreneurial flair, has created a strong scene in Sydney presenting Afro-Cuban jazz. Her 18-piece big band Palacio de la Rumba is ten years old, while her sextet ALLY debuts here, playing Peruvian/Brazilian jazz. It’s unique in three ways. First, there’s no trumpet, and Bryant’s seven compositions are played by herself and trombonist James Greening, both contributing the sort of excellent solos one expects at this professional level. Second, there’s no drummer, so percussionist Giorgio Rojas, playing cajon, bongo, udu, guira, and congas has created, through overdubbing, many interesting rhythmic feels which otherwise are rarely heard. Third, the poet Dai Moret adds spoken words on three tracks. The originals are enhanced by versions of Charlie Mingus’s Goodbye Pork Pie Hat and Thelonious Monk’s In a Monk’s Dream. Two factors fortify this album: whenever the brilliant pianist Daniel Pliner comes to the fore the music blossoms; and the album is produced by the well respected Lloyd Swanton.
Eric Myers
JAZZ
FOREVER LIKE THIS
KATE WADEY
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Independent
Four stars
Published in the Weekend Australian, October 22, 2022
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This third album from singer Kate Wadey is a winner. Known previously as an interpreter of standards, Wadey now presents her own excellent compositions. Her artistry highlights two essential pillars of the jazz tradition: the immortal swing feel; and the slow ballad exploring life and love. As winner of the 2019 Ken Weatherley jazz scholarship, Wadey represents the generation under 30, and she’s assembled some formidable talent here to bring her music to life. They include the brilliant Andrew Scott, whose classic piano style contributes inestimably to the music’s character, with Samuel Dobson (double bass), James Waples (drums), Chris O’Dea (tenor saxophone) and guitarists Peter Koopman and Arthur Washington. Each of nine originals is a collaboration between Wadey and some of these musicians plus others too numerous to list. Matt McMahon for example collaborates on the title track. Wadey’s sweet vocal sound emulates that of the late Janet Seidel, while her clever lyrics compare favourably with those of the highly accomplished Frances Madden.
Eric Myers