The Vampires

Jeremy Rose (saxophone), Nick Garbett (trumpet), Alex Boneham (bass), Alex Masso (drums).

The Vampires are quickly becoming an icon on the Australian jazz scene with their unique blend of soulful jazz, old-school reggae and South American music.

Featuring compositions by saxophonist Jeremy Rose and trumpeter Nick Garbett, their powerful melodic invention and use of surprising grooves sets them apart.

Their first CD "South Coasting" (Jazzgroove) has been hailed as a fresh sound, and has led them to appear at major festivals around Australia including the 2009 Wangaratta Festival of Jazz, The 2009 Melbourne International Jazz Festival and the 2010 JazzGroove Futures Festival.

Their second CD "Chellowdene" was launched March 2010 on Earshift Records (www.earshift.com) and is distributed by Fuse. In 2011 the band took part in the Banff Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music led by Dave Douglas. Besides the regular quartet lineup they have performed and recorded for several years with Fabian Hevia (percussion) and Shannon Barnett (trombone), and recently collaborated with Mike Rivett and Peter Farrar. See the website for more details –www.thevampires.com.au

**** - 4/5 stars – The Australian, Roger Mitchell

Played with verve, high ability and inspiration, The Vampires have produced another distinguished album.

**** - 4/5 stars – SMH, John Shand

Were the Vampires a drink they'd be a fizzy one. Not only is there refreshing air around every note, but this air seems to be rising… The sounds and lines of Jeremy Rose are ideally matched in their ability to interweave cheerfulness and fragility..

..The Vampires play with wit, soulful melody and invention… SMH, John Clare

The horns grab the limelight, intuitively in accord and, as often, fencing with each other in dances that excite, provoke and soothe. Sun Herald Sun, Roger Mitchell

Member Since:

March 25, 2007

Members:

Jeremy Rose - saxophone

Nick Garbett - trumpet

Alex Boneham - bass

Alex Masso - drums

Influences:

Bernie McGann, The Catholics, Kneebody, Bob Marley, John Zorn, Dave Douglas, Charles Mingus, Charlie Parker, Ornette Coleman, Don Cherry, Charlie Haden, Otomo Yoshide, Grounation, Robin Eubanks, Steven Bernstein, Bill Frisell, Cannonball Adderley, Lee Morgan, Adam Benjamin, Peter Farrar, Ahmad Jamal, Alexander Von Schlippenbach, Ali Farke Toure, Anthony Wilson, Andrew Hill Antibalas, Augustus Pablo, Ba Cissoko, Baecastuff, Brandon Ross, Peter Tosh, Braxton, Burning Spear, Calvin Bubbles Cameron, Mike Rivett, Wareika Hill Sounds, Chris Cheek, Clarence Penn, Christian Wallumrod, Craig Taborn, Shannon Barnett, Curtis Mayfield, Don Byron, Duke Ellington, Ernest Ranglin, Farfinkel Pugowski, Fat Freddies Drop, Fela Kuti, Field Work, Ralph Allessi, Tim Berne, Tony Malaby, Gilfema, Ari Hoenig (trumpeter), Fabian Hevia, Gonzales, Grupo Folklorica y Experimental Neuvayoriquiono, Jan Garbarek, Julien Wilson Trio, Lionel Loueke, Loren Stillman, Fly, MJQ, The Thing, Painkiller, Steve Coleman, Steve Lacy, Stu Hunter, Taj Mahal, Andrea Keller, Mike Nock, the Claudia Quintet, The Gladiators, The Necks, Tony Allen, Toots and the Maytals,

Record Label:

Earshift Records