Gian_SlaterOn Friday April 23rd from 7.30-9.30pm in BMW Edge at Federation Square, the Melbourne Jazz Fringe Festival presents its 5th annual APRA Composers Commission Concert. Following the acclaimed success of previous winners Jex Saarelaht, Colin Hopkins, Erik Griswold and Ren Walters the performance of 2010 winner Gian Slater’s new work “Gone, without saying” will be one of the highlights of this year’s festival. The concert will be recorded for broadcast on radio across Australia.

Gian Slater is the rarest of singers – a complete musician and true virtuoso, whose mastery of her instrument is in total service to a powerful emotional immediacy in her music. She possesses a highly mobile and accurate voice with an uncommon improvisational ability, and the harmonic and technical awareness and clarity of intention more commonly associated with instrumentalists. At 26, she has already developed an extended body of original compositions and recordings and is a sought after vocalist in many diverse settings.

‘Gone, without saying’ is a brand new work by singer/improviser/composer, Gian Slater for voices that explores the notion of communication between and without words. That which cannot be put into words – those things we don’t wish to speak of or those that go without saying. In moments of communal grieving, consoling, conversing, gossiping, joking, arguing – we use our shared knowledge and human experience to read between the lines, but at times those moments are lost or misunderstood. In silence, we wish to speak our minds yet often miss the chance and in conversation we long for space but don’t always leave it. This work is written for voices using experimental and extended vocal techniques with intricate, textural layering and conceptual improvising.

The work will be performed by:
Jenny Barnes, Tom Barton, Helen Catanchin, Hailey Cramer, Miriam Crellin, Georgie Darvidis, Ed Fairlie, Bronwyn Hicks, Kate Kelsey – Sugg, Louisa Rankin, Gian Slater, Damien Slingsby, Loni Thomson, Auđur Zoëga

Gian graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in 2003, she was a finalist in the prestigious Freedman Fellowship (2004) and National Jazz Awards (2005). As a composer and band leader Gian has recorded 3 CDs, the chamber/song cycle “In My Head” 2005, 2007’s rock/pop EP “Our Galaxy”, and “Creatures at the Crossroads” a 2008 collaboration with the extraordinary pianist William Poskitt. She has recorded for ABC Jazz track (2003) and was featured on Andrea Keller’s ABC Aria nominated album ‘Angels and Rascals’. Gian is a member of Barney McCall’s, ‘Sylent Runing’ who have just released their debut album ‘Empathy Chip’ and toured Australia in September 2009.

The MJFF 2010 APRA Composers Commission Concert will also feature two exciting contemporary Australian improvisers and composers. Saxophonist Tim Wilson and pianist Andrea Keller formed their duo in 2007 as a vehicle to explore their original compositions with a focus on open dialogue and interaction. They will launch their recording ‘life that lingers’ (live) in this intimate setting. Andrea is a three-time Aria Award winner, recipient of the 2001 Freedman Fellowship and also the 2010 Australia Council Fellowship grant. Tim was a finalist in the 2006 World Saxophone Competition (held at the BBC Jazz Festival in London) and also at the 2009 Australian National Jazz Awards. Their debut cd was recorded live at Bennetts Lane Jazz Club in August 2008, and features 9 original compositions by Tim and Andrea.

The MJFF thanks the following sponsors:
Apra, Victoria University, Victoria Rocks – Arts Victoria, Federation Square,
Cube Serviced Apartments, RRR and extempore
For all media enquiries: Sonja Horbelt 0417 364 314 or email shorbelt@netlink.com.au Visit: www.melbournejazzfringe.com email: info@melbournejazzfringe.com

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