An interview with Jamie Oehlers and Jazz Australia

“Memory can hold us back, it can cement us to a place in time, not allowing the presence needed to progress. [Maybe] we just need to press the reset button and start anew” Jamie Oehlers

JK: How personal is this album? And if you could hit the reset button where would you start?

JO: This album is personal in the respect that the concepts surrounding the pieces mean a lot to me. They’re not always individualistic; many of the ideas operate on both a micro and macro level. They sometimes apply to myself, sometimes for people I know, they can regard politics, international unity etc. Regarding the reset button, in life terms I wouldn’t press it at all. I realise that my past has created who I am. There are times I would like to press reset on a conversation, a thought or a negotiation.

Jamie Oehlers recorded this album with long time collaborator and iconic Australian musician, Paul Grabowsky. Together they travelled to New York to record an album of original material drummer Eric Harland and bassist Reuben Rogers, two of the most in demand musicians on the planet. Having performed as a group a number of times, it was inevitable that this line up would record – the dynamic energy between the players was undeniable.

JK: Did you write or conceive of the album with Paul, Eric and Reuben in mind?

JO: Yes, this music was written specifically with this band in mind.

JK: How do you feel that this shaped the music?
JO: I feel like I know these players very well and really wanted to embed their unique characteristics into the music. Each player is highlighted throughout the album. Eric on the title tune “The Burden of Memory” displays his fire and intense forward motion through the time, Reuben plays the melody on “The Dreaming” – his beautiful, rich bass tone bringing this tune to life and Paul on my tune “Armistice” with one of the most incredible solo introductions I have ever heard. With a strong idea of what I wanted in regards to the “feel” for each piece and then the knowledge of what these musicians are capable of, it allowed me a very clear path for composition.

JK: What kind of different energies does it bring to be playing with Phil and Tim?
JO: I think Phil is one of the best bass players in the country. I think having a foot in the pop world as well as a really comprehensive understanding of jazz music has allowed him to have a greater understanding of the role of the bass in modern music. He is a BASS player, he grounds the band in so many ways and lays it down with his usually flair and deep groove. Tim and I have been playing together in various projects over the last 10 years. Most people I work with know I am a saxophonist that wants a lot from the drummer when I play…hence having a double drummer band for a number of years! I’ve never had to tell Tim to play more – he’s as fiery as they come and we always enjoy working together.

JK: Is this an exclusive line up for Canberra?
JO: Both Phil and Tim played this music with Paul and I last year when we did the initial launches, just not at the same time. So yes, this is an exclusive line up to Canberra and I have no doubt it will a joy to perform with.

JK: The backdrop soundtrack was constructed by astrophysicist Professor Paul Francis. How did he become involved?
KW: I have been looking for a way to combine my passions in music and astronomy for some time and came across his website in which he has constructed a series of space sound mp3’s from NASA electromagnetic data. I have been in email contact with him and as he is based in Melbourne, he won’t be at the show but is happy to have his material used and enjoyed.

JK: There is also a visual element to the show with galactic projections – tell us about these.
KW: I have always enjoyed watching astronomy documentaries, especially when they include actual probe footage. And I found that there is a lot of this freely available on NASA’s website (as long as you acknowledge it, of course). We are using images from the Grail mission in 2012 to map the moon in detail, Cassini’s Saturn exploration from 1997-present, Mars Rover Curiosity from 2012, and various comet flyby such as Rosetta in 2004.

JK: What can the audience expect at your Sound Lounge show?
KW: A unique journey through space, sound and time.

 

Jamie Oehlers Saxophone | Paul Grabowsky Piano | Phil Stack Bass | Tim Firth Drums

VENUE The Street Theatre, 15 Childers St, Canberra City West
DATE Sunday 6th March @ 6pm
BOOKINGS 6247 1223 or www.thestreet.org.au

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Editor of Jazz Australia, formerly contributor to Sydney Morning Herald and Women's Money MagazineMusic programmer and producer

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