TED VINING drums, co-leader, composer
Ted Vining has been a cornerstone of Australian Jazz, a drum
colossus and cultural force for over half a century.
Ted has toured with US jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie, George
Cables, Nat Adderley, Clifford Jordan, Lee Konitz, Joachim Kuhn
and Mark Murphy amongst others. He has recorded and
performed at major international and Australian festivals with
Australian groups including The Brian Brown (OAM) Quartet,
Bernie McGann, Ted Vining Trio, Alan Lee Quartet, Musiikki Oy,
BLOW, Don Burrows and Bob Gebert.
Ted has also contributed to the music scene as the Artistic
Director of the Moomba Jazz Festival, inaugural Queensland
Jazz Coordinator (Australia Council) and as Executive Director
of the Montsalvat International Jazz Festival 1995/96.
BOB SEDERGREEN piano, keyboards, composer
Bob Sedergreen is widely regarded as a national treasure.
As well as his own Blues On The Boil and Art Attack Bob was a
core member of iconic Brian Brown Quartet and has been
fundamental to the identity and popularity of the Ted Vining
Trio for over four decades.
In addition to being acclaimed as a soloist Bob has been the
accompanist of choice for jazz luminaries Dizzy Gillespie, Nat
Adderley, Phil Woods, Ritchie Cole, Milt Jackson, blues legend
Jimmy Witherspoon and many more.
Bob was recently awarded the Ken Myer Medallion for his
contribution to the Performing Arts, the first Jazz
musician/educator to receive this prestigious award.
PETER HARPER alto saxophone, co-leader, composer
Peter Harper has been a torch-bearer for the avant-garde on
four continents, as an instrumentalist and as an inspirational
composer, since the early 1980’s.
His searingly powerful sound manifests his longtime dedication to the practice of overtones and musical studies under Ratu Pandji, and the great Evan Parker.
He has toured and recorded with Musiikki Oy, Tibetan Dixie,
House Arrest (Paul Grabowsky), Australian Art Orchestra, Night Z (Holland, Belgium, Switzerland), Where’s Harry (Switzerland), The Big One and BLOW.
IAN DIXON trumpet, flugelhorn, composer
Extensive travel and study of birdsong informs Ian Dixon’s
unique approach to improvisation and composition.
Best known for his work as a trumpet player and composer on
the global electronica scene, cross-discipline collaborations
have led to work in film and television, with visual artists,
choreographers and in digital media.
Recently returned to Australia after 15 years based in London,
Ian has performed and recorded in diverse musical settings
with performers including Ute, Guru, Kenny Garrett, Irmin Schmidt (Can), Kumo, Corker Conboy, Ape, No-Man, Night Z, Ramjac, DJ Blame, Dub Pistols,
Musiikki Oy and solo with trumpet and laptop as TPT.
Ian plays an Eclipse trumpet.
SIMON KENT trombone, composer
Simon’s giant sound spans from tailgate to tomorrow.
He made an impact at an early age and was quickly picked up
by Paul Grabowsky for recording and a European tour in 1994.
Simon then remained in Europe to perform with his own group
SKUD.
Since returning to Australia Simon maintains a hectic
performance schedule with SKUD as well as Blam Hum Phat,
Interfred, The Big One, Musiikki Oy and BLOW. He was awarded
the Montsalvat International Jazz Festival Original Composition
prize for ‘Spoon Relief’, subsequently recorded and released by
Newmarket Music under the same title.
MICHAEL MEAGHER bass, composer
Michael’s strength and flexibility underpins Blow’s harmonic
dynamism.
A rising star of Australian bass, Michael has worked with some
of Australia’s finest jazz musicians such as Scott Tinkler, Ren Walters,
Andrea Keller, Ben Robertson, Gary Costello and Julian Wilson,
to name a few.
Michael is in great demand as a performer and session
musician on both electric and double bass. He is a regular and
vital member of Ish Ish, Kris Wanders Unit, Ben Carr Quartet,
City City City, Gojam and K for Cool, performing at clubs and
festivals across Australia and in Europe.
BLOW’S artistic vision is limitless and ever evolving, with a creative direction inspired by the moment, the venue, the audience, the mood and the empathy shared by the members of the ensemble. Exceptional improvisers who create a group sound which is uniquely BLOW.
"Take a core sample of the jazz strata and BLOW is an assured and intoxicating distillation of many of its layers. This CD is a celebration of a shared passion and conviction; its wordless songs of joy are anthems to the human spirit and the collective experience of creating music in the moment" Gerry Koster, Jazz uplate, ABC Classic FM.
"Drummer Ted Vining and pianist Bob Sedergreen have never left you in any doubt that their music has heart. Vining has often literally shouted it at you, with rambunctious cymbal crashes and
reckless punctuations. These two Melbourne stalwarts continue to
galvanise other players with their energy and sheer joy in making
music.
Standing out is alto saxophonist Peter Harper, who rushes to centre-stage in the opening "And Heaven Called" with a sound as electrifying as a police siren in a drug cabal. It's broad and braying, and an ample match for any boisterousness Vining can hurl at him. Readers familiar with the late, great South African saxophonist Dudu Pukwanna will know what to expect.
The band members, completed by trumpeter Ian Dixon, trombonist
Simon Kent and bassist Mick Meagher, have penned the material. As the sextet's name suggests, they are open-ended blowing vehicles, and the playing is guaranteed to raise the spirits."
John Shand, The Australian.
“A band whose sum exceeds it’s parts because the players are willing to put the music first”
Wire Magazine
“Their intensity and explosive force are legend”
Gail Brennan Sydney Morning Herald
“Without compromise in their drive, creative ability, unity and energy”
Perth Jazz Society News
“The most exciting music of the MJC Alive Festival”
Adrian Jackson, The Age
“Ted Vining is one of the most exciting, dramatic and soulful drummers we have ever had in this country, while Peter Harper produces some of the strongest and most beautiful saxophone sounds you will ever hear”
John Clare Sydney Morning Herald
“BLOW tend to ‘paint’ their music. In all, their performance feels very complete unto itself, a cast of characters telling stories”
After Hours
“The band’s fresh and vibrant improvisation has won it a place at the forefront of Australian Jazz for the past two decades.”
Paul Garwood, Nightlife
“Collective in playing style and spirit, generous, keenly aware of one another and responsive to the shifting moods and textures of the music. Supportive, intuitive, very serious and very good humoured.”
Angela Smith, Adelaide Advertiser
"Exquisite beauty and animal power"
Messing About In Boats
Hi Ted & Hi de hi de ho BOB just droppin' by to congratulate Bob on his latest award (well overdue);just luv you guys. Stay well & keep 'em on their toes! Cheers Helen The nation’s most valuable individual music prize – the Australia Council for the Arts Don Banks Music Award 2008 – goes to Australian jazz icon Bob Sedergreen.
Hey you guys! Hope everything is well down under, hopefully you'll get a free hour to listen to my latest show... there's some music on there that I'm sure you'll like... Take it easy, have a great weekend!
