Zoe Frater

Bio:

Zoë Frater- Bassist/Composer/Bandleader for the Zoë Frater Quintet - Electric bassist Zoë Frater first began her studies at the Mackay Conservatorium of Music under the direction of resident bassist Lee Matthews. In 1999 she moved to Canberra to study under Eric Ajaye at the Canberra School of Music at the Australian National University. During her time in the A.C.T. she received the Foster Scholarship in Jazz and an ANU Honours Scholarship as well as performing with Mike Price, Col Hoorveg, Miroslav Bukovsky and John Mackey. In 2000 she formed the jazz quartet Katook with guitarist Jess Green. Katook has performed and toured extensively over the last seven years (MWIJF 2004, Half Bent Music Festival 2005, Jazz Groove 2006) and recorded for ABC’s Jazz Track Program in 2006. In 2003 Zoë undertook a study scholarship to the U.K. to study with London bassist’s Dil Katz, Rob Mullarky, Dudley Phillips and Paul Westwood. In 2007 Zoë premiered her new quintet at the MWIJF performing her compositions with Shannon Barnett, Stephen Magnusson, Julien Wilson, Ronny Ferella and Michelle Nicolle. In October 2008 Zoë premiered a new suite for Big Band and voice performed by the Bennetts Lane Big Band with guest vocalist Gian Slater. Zoë has performed at numerous festivals including the Manly, Canberra, Townsville, Devonport and Mackay Biennial Festivals. In 2010 she is undertaking post graduate studies at RMIT in Public Art. Zoë Frater Quintet - Premiering at the 2007 Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival (MWIJF) at Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, the Zoë Frater Quintet brings together some of Melbourne’s finest musicians. The ensemble brings to fruition new works by electric bassist and composer Zoë Frater. Journeying through a musical landscape founded in rich melodic themes, the quintet explores the multitude of textures within the “small big” band setting through improvisation and strong rhythmical development. Drawing on the diverse influences of Bill Frisell, Paul Motian, Steve Reich and The Police, Frater’s compositions proposition the notion of direction but not dictation of each musician’s voice within the ensemble. . The quintet has performed at renowned jazz venues around Melbourne, including The Paris Cat, Uptown and performances for The Melbourne Jazz Co-Operative. Frater’s work in 2009 included music for quintet and voice having premiered at Bennetts Lane with guest artist Carl Pannuzzo in December 2008. Performances since then have included a full house reception for the Melbourne Jazz Fringe Festival at venue Cafe 303 in May of last year. Performances in July last year culminated in a live recording by the Royal Melbourne Institute of Tafe (RMIT) inconjunction with Bennetts Lane and PBS Radio. The ensemlble has since continued to premier new works for Quintet with Two Voices with guest artist Penny Larkins, currently finding its voice as a sextet, the ensemble embarks on a winter residency in July this year at Bennetts Lane. ..

Member Since:

August 03, 2008

Members:

The Zoë Frater Quintet includes – Zoë Frater bass Ben Hauptmann guitar Julien Wilson tenor sax Shannon Barnett trombone Ronny Ferella drums. Guest artists- Carl Pannuzzo, Stephen Magnusson, Ian Whitehurst, Penny Larkins, Loni Thomson, Michelle Nicolle, Jordan Murray, Alistair Parsons, Geoff Hughes, Carlo Barbaro & Phil Noy. "Swallowing" Band (performing the music of S W Swallow) includes - Frank Di Sario bass, Zoe Frater bass, Carlo Barbaro tenor sax, Ronny Ferella drums. Trio Hep (Brazilain/French musette) includes - Jo Abbott accordion, Zoe Frater bass, Chris Lewis drums.

Influences:

Everything... miss Michael Jackson... Been listening to Ben Monder with Theo Bleckmann and Jim Black's Houseplant. Love Bill Frisell, Steve Reich, Paul Motian, The Police, Dave Holland, Steve W Swallow, John Hollenbeck, Kenny Wheeler, Chaka Kahn.... and I could go on and on and .... ....

Sounds Like:

We just sound great... Zoe plays a Jeff Mallia custom bass. Info - jeff@malliabasses.com

Record Label:

Independent