Dec 10 Composers Symposium : The Art of Composition

afternoon session 3.00pm-4.30pm

Saturday Dec 10 3pm-4.30pm

Hanson Dyer Hall level 3- Ian Potter Soutbank Centre

Tickets Free HERE - Bookings essential

The Art of Composition. A panel of five leading Australian jazz artists discuss their compositional processes, featuring Nadje Noordhuis (NY), Sandy Evans (Syd), Andrea Keller, Barney McAll and Sam Anning. Moderated by Miriam Zolin.

Five acclaimed Australian improvising musicians reveal the secrets of their composition process. Bringing their unique compositional styles and voices into the conversation, Nadje Noordhuis (NY), Sandy Evans (Syd) and Melbourne-based composers Andrea Keller, Barney McAll and Sam Anning will discuss how they find and develop their ideas. Do they start with harmony, chords, melody? Can the process of composition arise out of improvisation? Do they write with particular musicians in mind?  The composition insights provided by these skilled improvisers might surprise you. Moderated by writer Miriam Zolin.

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The Art of Composition

Sandy Evans

“…this saxophonist surely ranks as one of the best contemporary jazz composers/musicians anywhere.” Ian Patterson, allaboutjazz.com January 27, 2012

Sandy Evans is an internationally renowned saxophonist and composer with a passion for improvisation and new music. She has played with and written for some of the most important groups in Australian jazz since the early 1980s and has toured extensively in Australia, Europe, Canada and Asia.

Nadje Noordhuis

Described as "one of the most compelling voices to emerge on her instrument in recent years" (Dan Bilawksy, All about Jazz), Australian-born based trumpeter/composer Nadje Noordhuis possesses one of the most unforgettably lyrical voices in modern music. Her deeply-felt, clarion tone and evocative compositional gift meld classical rigor, jazz expression, and world music accents into a sound that is distinctively her own. She is a member of the multiple Grammy-winning Maria Schneider Orchestra, Grammy-nominated Darcy James Argue's Secret Society, and the Grammy-nominated Anat Cohen Tentet. She has four albums of original compositions on her own record label, Little Mystery Records.

Andrea Keller

Andrea Keller is an Australian pianist, composer and improviser. Over the past two-decades she has devised and produced a large and varied body of work, confirming her dedication to the performance, creation, and nurturing of contemporary jazz and improvised music. She has received numerous awards for her albums, ensembles and compositions, including the 2022 Art Music Luminary (Victoria) Award, three ARIA’s, multiple Australian Jazz Bell, and more. Andrea runs the educational program Gender Defying Jazz and is Head of Jazz & Improvisation at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne.

Sam Anning

Sam Anning is one of Australia’s leading musical voices as a double bassist and composer. He has released five albums as a band leader, achieving critical acclaim and winning awards including the Age Music Victoria Award for Jazz Album of the Year, Bell Award for Best Australian Instrumental Jazz Album of the Year, and shortlisted for the 14th Australian Music Prize Album of the Year. He has been a featured soloist with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Sam’s more recent work with Archie Roach as a bass player and producer has garnered ARIA Awards. Receiving 1st place in the 2015 National Jazz Awards, Sam is in high demand for his bass playing in Australia and abroad.

Barney McAll

Barney McAll is a jazz pianist and composer who lives in Melbourne, Australia. He completed a Bachelor of Music at the Victorian College of the Arts and joined US saxophonist Gary Bartz‘s band in 1997, as well as playing with the Josh Roseman Unit, Fred Wesley and the JB’s, Groove Collective, and Kurt Rosenwinkel‘s “Heartcore”. His ensembles include “M.O.D.A.S”, “Sylent Running”, “GRAFT” , ASIO (Australian Symbiotic Improvisers Orbit) TQX featuring Sia and his  “Non Compliance Trio”. He was awarded the Australia Council Fellowship in 2007 and worked as musical director for Australian vocalistSia Furler from 2011-2012.Barney was the 2015 recipient of the Peggy Glanville-Hicks composer residency and won Best Jazz Album for Mooroolbark at the 2015 Aria Awards. He has recorded or performed internationally with many other musicians including Dewey Redman, Roy Ayers, Kenny Garrett, Maceo Parker, Jimmy Cobb, Eddie Henderson, Aloe Blacc, Peter Apfelbaum, Billy Harper, Daniel Merriweather and Vernel Fournier.

Miriam Zolin

Moderator Miriam Zolin is a writer based in regional Victoria. She’s been enjoying Australian jazz and improvised music for more than 20 years. She was the managing editor of extempore journal of jazz and improvised music between 2008 and 2012 and has written about jazz and improvised music in a range of print and digital publications.

Free (bookings essential)

Saturday Dec 10th 3.00-4.30pm

Hanson Dyer Hall – Melbourne Conservatorium of Music

Ian Potter Southbank Centre

33-43 Sturt Street Southbank

Presented in collaboration with major partner The University of Melbourne