Featuring: Julien Wilson - tenor saxophone Stephen Magnusson - nylon string guitar Stephen Grant - piano accordion
"In fact, it was Wilson who provided what may have been the highlight of the Festival when he performed with his Trio in the Holy Trinity Cathedral. The sheer majestic quality of this band’s music is astounding, and, in the vast surroundings of the Cathedral, Wilson’s soaring tenor took on a spiritual quality, reaching all the way back to Coltrane. With an unlikely instrumentation of guitar, accordion and saxophone, the Trio gently added subtle textures to the mix, creating a music that seemed to be full of air and light. Stephen Grant’s accordion floated dreamlike through the space, while Stephen Magnusson’s guitar pierced the veil, intelligent and thoughtful. Solos were few and far between, but when Wilson did set off, his tenor soared to the upper reaches of the Cathedral, filling the church to overflowing. It was a remarkable performance, full of such intimacy and telepathic communion." Des Cowley - Rhythms review of 2007 Wangaratta Jazz Festival
Featuring: Julien Wilson - tenor sax Stephen Magnusson - guitars Stephen Grant - accordion Philip Rex - bass Simon Barker - drums Jordan Murray - trombone
Julien Wilson is the recipient of the 2008 Australian Jazz Award for 'Australian Jazz Artist of the Year', the 2006 Music Council of Australia / Freedman Fellowship for Jazz, and the 1994 National Jazz Award. The funds from the Freedman Fellowship enabled him to record an album in New York and take his trio on a three week European tour that included two sold out performances at the Berlin Jazz Festival. The New York recording, Kaleidoscopic is now available in-stores through Jazzhead Records.
In addition to composing for and running his own trio and quartet, Julien co-leads assumptions, Cool'sCool and Snag, and is a regular member of Ishish, Rumberos, the Black Arm Band, Bennetts Lane Big Band, Twelve Tone Diamonds, Los Cabrones and the Jex Saarelaht Quartet.
Julien's debut album, while you were sleeping, was a finalist for Best Australian Contemporary Jazz Album in 2007 and was nominated for an ARIA for Best Jazz Album. The CD includes a live DVD of his trio performing at the BMW Edge in Melbourne. His second album, Trio - Live was released at the end of 2007 and was also nominated for an ARIA for Best Jazz Album in 2008. The Julien Wilson Trio was a finalist for the 2004, 2008 & 2009 Australian Jazz Award for Best Australian Ensemble. Both CD's are available through Sound Vault Records. The Julien Wilson Trio's new album Dusk, recorded live at Wangaratta Jazz Festival in 2007 will be available mid 2009
BACKGROUND Julien has performed at many of Australia's major festivals and toured in Europe, China, Mexico, North America, Indonesia, Japan and New Zealand, including appearances at the Umbria, Pori, Copenhagen, Berlin, Jakarta, Christchurch and Montreux Jazz Festivals.
He spent much of the late 90's living and working in Europe with the multi-national Swiss-based band, Snag, who received Swiss Government Arts grants for recording and touring. He completed graduate studies in the USA on scholarships from The Ian Potter Foundation, The Australia Council and New England Conservatory, where he studied extensively with George Russell, Paul Bley, Jerry Bergonzi and George Garzone.
Juliens personal sound, and wide stylistic range have enabled him to perform and record with artists as diverse as the Kurt Elling Quartet, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Mike Nock, Charlie Haden, Hugh Masekala, Archie Roach, George Garzone, Bob Moses, Barney McAll, Jim Black, Mark Helias, Josh Roseman, Andy Milne, The Artie Shaw Orchestra, Paul Grabowsky, Katie Noonan, Allan Browne, The Hoodangers, The Australian Art Orchestra, Murphy's Law, Satoko Fujii, Gil Askey, Chris Tanners Virus, Augie March, Daddy Cool and Thirsty Merc.
getting warmer... u ll not sweat that much that i m freezin here... that makes me angry... just kiddin. nice to hear from u. hope u are alright, i just changed to an old conn tenor... hard to play but beutiful sound. fox
Hi there! Just letting you know about a gig I have coming up! Sunday 18th October @ Brunswick Hotel, Sydney Road 9pm - with the band support from Simon Gibbs Burke Would be great to see you there! Simone :)
That was a good day alright. We are having a honey moon, but not AU. EU actually, Barcelona in November it has taken awhile but we are doing it! JAAAA..
Hey, We're about to start our national tour to promote our new album. Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Byron, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart. See profile for details.
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