Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Bob Mintzer & The ANU Jazz Big Band - Fri 4 Aug 06
OK, so my first opera experience didn't rock my world. The ANU big band performance on the Friday before last more than made up for that. Bob Mintzer - a saxophonist and arranger - was in town to teach the ANU crew a thing or two; from the looks on the bands faces I reckon they loved every minute of it.
The first half of the show - Mintzer playing with the ANU Staff Quintet - was OK but really self-indulgent. A & B & I noticed that the group was happy to let each have their moment in the spotlight, but had nice polite ways of telling 'em they'd had enough time.
The show beyond the interval was nothing short of kick-ass big band. Arranging is definately where Mintzer shines. You could tell that the ANU students were into it; they were just beaming throughout every track. The guys on the basses looked like they were in groove-induced trances, the guys on keys were bouncing and one of the drummers looked like he was possessed by some percussive demon. The guitarist was doing something very Anthony Wilson-ish and it was very cool. The only one who looked like she could've been having a better time was the vocalist; there were no songs with vocals, so she sat in with the trumpet section and scatted along.
Some of the tracks played were Pappa Lips, Bright Lights, Original People, Tribute, Each Day, and for encore Latin Dance.
I'm gonna list out the band, if for no other reason that they might see this post when ego surfing someday. You guys kicked ass and I'll definately be coming to check out your shows in October. So a big cheers & thankyou to the ANU Big Band 2006:
Vocals - Madeline Hawke
Trumpets - Jonathon Apps, Julian Barker, Kayla Corlis & Reuben Lewis
Saxes - Alvin Ang (alto), Andrew Pogson (alto), Michael Cleaver (alto), Sebastian McIntosh (tenor & soprano), Jo Taylor (tenor), Laura Wynne (tenor), James Le Fevre (baritone)
Rhythm - Luke Sweeting (piano), Michael Azzopardi (piano), Carl Morgan (guitar), Phil Jenkins (bass), Leigh Miller (bass), Ed Rodrigues (drums/percussion), Hannah Vermeesch (drums/percussion)
Bones - Valdis Thomann, Rob Lee, Alistair Clarke, Sophie Chapman.
[Tags: Music, Canberra, Australia]
Labels: Canberra
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Hey, let me know when the next one is on and I'll come too... sounds good!
And Reuben Lewis is definitely a trumpet player to watch out for. He kicks ass.
Its really a pity Madeline Hawke wasnt featured as a vocalist, she is really talented and would have added a lot to that concert.