Cd review -
Spectrum - Sydney Morning Herald
November 28-29, 2009..................
Stu Hunter The Gathering
(Hunt/Vitamin)......................................................................................................
Two albums that encapsulate the gamut of the best Australian jazz at the moment are, remarkably, by the same artist and are the only recordings as leader by someone who has played on more than 80 albums.
Two years ago, Sydney pianist Stu Hunter released The Muse, a mesmerising suite performed with saxophonist Matt Keegan, bassist Cameron Undy and drummer Simon Barker. Now he unveils The Gathering; the band expanded by saxophonist Julien Wilson and trombonist-trumpeter James Greening. It again reveals not just the beauty and swaggering-to-pensive breadth of Hunter's writing but also his exceptional grasp of structure.
Even more importantly, he has created the context for six brilliant improvisers to produce their finest work. Listen to the multidimensional rampage by Greening on Bundanon Part II , Undy's magnificent solo on Hiatus, Barker's inversion of expectations and enhancement of reality, the saxophones roaring or melting to pools and Hunter's solo dreams. One of the year's most triumphant artistic statements, it is launched at the Basement on Tuesday.
John Shand
Influences
The Gathering
Released 12 October, 2009
CDs and high quality MP3?s
available now from VITAMIN RECORDS
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Sounds Like
Masterly joining of creative talents..........................................................................
Sydney Morning Herald: Dec 3rd, 2009..................................................................
Stu Hunter
The Basement, December 1..................................................................
Music is being made in Sydney by the likes of the Phil Slater Quartet and this sextet led by pianist/composer Stu Hunter that lies at the forefront of what is happening anywhere in the world of creative music.
For the second time Hunter has composed that rarest of jazz artefacts: a successful extended work. Like that of such giants of this music as Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus, Hunter's composing is dual edged, his brilliance for devising, structuring and arranging music being matched by an equally crucial gift for assembling the right musicians.
Even in a 70-minute suite like The Gathering, jazz composition differs fundamentally from its classical counterpart in that openings for the unique creative skills of the performers are embedded in the piece.
Hunter does not seek just a rendering of his work but a maximisation of its possibilities. The corollary is that his outstanding composition creates contexts in which his players are inspired to produce their finest work.
I have been listening to and enthusing about bassist Cameron Undy and trombonist/trumpeter James Greening for many years, and yet have never heard them reach the soloing peaks they do in this piece. It happened in this performance as it did when The Gathering was first aired 15 months ago in the Opera House, and again on the recording that was being launched here.
Similarly Julien Wilson and Matt Keegan equal anything they have done in their careers within Hunter's deft and endlessly imaginative deployment of their twin tenor saxophones. Even drummer Simon Barker, whose originality, daring and emotive power routinely beggar belief these days, is heard at his phenomenal best in Hunter's brave musical world.
The leader, meanwhile, is often a colourist or creator of solo-piano lagoons of respite amid the prevailing disquiet, foreboding and turbulence.
The blasting final theme of The Gathering is as powerful as anything to be encountered in Australia's performing arts. Let's call it a masterwork and be done with it.
Stu, thanks for your last note man. Hope you've had a good home coming. Is your adress the same, i want to send some copies of the album to you. ? Is it your Chippendale address? Cheers ROSSCO!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey man Hope Asia is going off the hook, in a good way! We will have the record out in 2 weeks. Let me know how i can get a copy to you. Love to you both Tenny
