Three shades of Jazz: A Conservatorium Jazz ensembles concert

Three shades of Jazz features three of the large jazz ensembles from the Conservatorium - Seed Quintet, Jazz Orchestra and Big Band - exploring a broad cross-section of music with three different types of ensemble.

Seed Quintet

Seed Quintet is a new ensemble formed in 2024 to create a space for classical saxophonists to explore jazz in various forms. The backbone of the ensemble is the typical Big Band saxophone section of two Altos, two Tenors and a Baritone, so tight ensemble playing is the norm. Composers for this group mostly add a rhythm section (Bill Dobbins) but sometimes not (Sammy Nestico). Seed Quintet will be supported by an outstanding cross faculty rhythm section to cover the rest of the parts.

Alto
Shaniqa Ratnasingam
Kate Katheklakis

Tenor
Alex Guevara
Anisha Ravishankar

Baritone
Charlotte Kitchenman

Guest rhythm section

Director
Ian Godfrey

The Melbourne University Jazz Orchestra

The Melbourne University Jazz Orchestra focuses on the classic era of Big Band repertoire (1930-1970), dealing with stylistic nuance, swing, blend, balance and of course improvisation. The repertoire consists of classics from the libraries of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Quincy Jones, Stan Kenton to name a few. The ensemble is directed by composer and saxophonist Angela Davis, who has performed with numerous jazz luminaries including Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Vince Jones, James Morrison, Patti Austin, Linda Oh, Andrea Keller & Sandy Evans.

PROGRAM

Tall Cotton (composed and arranged by Sammy Nestico)

For Lena and Lenny (composed by Quincy Jones, arranged by Quincy Jones and Sammy Nestico)

Oclupaca (from the Latin American Suite, composed by Duke Ellington)

Warm Breeze (composed and arranged by Sammy Nestico)

September Song (composed by Weill & Anderson, arranged by Stan Kenton)

Young Blood (composed and arranged by Gerry Mulligan)

DIRECTOR
Angela Davis

TRUMPETS

1 - Clancy Mccue
2 - Leo Brasch
3 - Eva Bedggood

SAXES

Alto
1 - Jacqueline Crock
2 - Hamish McLean Davies

Tenor
1- Sulia Van Sebille
2 - Atticus Paxton

Baritone
Annabel Mullett

TROMBONES

1 - Shalin Bigwood
2 - Joakim Linden
3 - Victoria Briggs
Bass Trombone - George Hamilton

RHYTHM

Piano
Sweeney Marshall

Bass
Calum Wakeling

Drums
James Caddie

The University of Melbourne Big Band

The University of Melbourne Big Band will be delving into Jazz Suites written by Duke Ellington (Black, Brown and Beige), Phil Woods (I Remember), Thad Jones (Suite For Pops) as well as works by Maria Schneider, Bob Brookmeyer and Gil Evans. The ensemble will feature our vocalist Ava McDermott (winner of the 2024 Generations In Jazz Vocal Scholarship) as well as a full French Horn section and guest violinist Annwen Roberts.

Comprising students from various streams of the University of Melbourne ecosystem, this elite group is chosen by audition and contains some of the most talented musicians in Australia. The band rehearses once a week, promoting a culture of sight reading modern and newly composed works. Mat Jodrell, the band's director, has been a member of numerous big bands including the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Maria Schneider Orchestra, Miguel Zenon's 'Identities' Ensemble, Birdland Big Band, Gil Evans Orchestra, Bill Mobley Big Band, Ron Carter Big Band, Charlie Rosen Big Band, Mingus Big Band and the Pedro Giraudo Big Band to name a few.

CONCERT PROGRAM

Hello and Goodbye (comp. and arr. by Bob Brookmeyer)

Consummation (comp. and arr. by Thad Jones)

Hang Gliding (comp. and arr. by Maria Schneider)

Do Nothin Till You Hear From Me (Duke Ellington, lyrics Bob Russell, arr. by John Clayton )

Sorta Kinda (comp. and arr. by Gil Evans)

Too Marvelous For Words (Richard Whiting, lyrics Johnny Mercer, arr. by Nelson Riddle)

Travelin Light (Trummy Young, Jimmy Mundy, lyrics Johnny Mercer, arr. by Nelson Riddle)

Phil Woods Suite (I Remember) (comp. and arr. by Phil Woods)

Julian (for Cannonball Adderley)

Ollie (for Oliver Nelson)

Sweet Willie (for Willie Dennis)

The Farewell (comp. and arr. by Thad Jones from Suite For Pops)

Come Sunday (Duke Ellington from Black, Brown and Beige suite)

The Great One (comp. and arr. by Thad Jones from Suite For Pops)

DIRECTOR
Mat Jodrell

TRUMPETS
1 - Jules Broeren
2 - Yael Greenberg
3 - Noah Cerros
4 - Hendrix Hamalainen
5 - Nathaniel Jackson

TROMBONES
1 - Josh Mackie
2 - Rupert Humphris
3 - Ashling OFarrell
4 - Luke Adams

SAXES

Alto
1 - Jamie Holmes
2 - Samuel Armer

Tenor
1 - Tristan Meffre
2 - Elly Blackham

Baritone
Thomas English

FRENCH HORNS
Archie Gladwin
Benjamin Heath
Mitchell Casey

VIOLIN
Annwen Roberts

RHYTHM SECTION

Piano
Dominic Carpenter

Guitar
Yemo Wang

Bass
Jethro Anderson

Drums
Alfie Pleasance

Vocals
Ava McDermott

Image credits: Jazz Big Bands 2024, Gregory Lorenzutti; Seed Quintet, 2024. Image by Ryan Li

ACCESSIBILITY

All venues at the Southbank campus are wheelchair accessible. To read more about access services available at our venues, please visit: https://finearts-music.unimelb.edu.au/access-our-events

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Due to current University guidelines, there are a number of conditions currently in place for our in-person events.

• The University continues to strongly encourage individuals to remain up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, but no longer requires evidence of vaccination in order to access campus.
• You are welcome to wear a face mask anywhere on campus for personal and community safety.
• Please stay at home if you feel unwell or have been ordered to isolate.
  Walk-ups and latecomers will be admitted at the discretion of front of house staff.

To read more about the University's COVID-19 response, please visit: https://www.unimelb.edu.au/coronavirus.