“…this record is a collaboration of some of the most influential protagonists on the Melbourne scene and is undoubtedly a masterpiece”
Rob Burke – The Edge of Today
Slava Grigoryan – Guitar
Doug deVries – Guitar
Stephen Magnusson – Guitar
Geoff Hughes – Guitar
Peter Petrucci – Guitar
Robert Burke – Tenor Sax, Bass Clarinet, Flute.
Nick Haywood – Bass
Tony Floyd – Drums
The CD recording ‘The Edge of Today’ is a documentation of jazz/improvisation music by Melbourne musicians in 2005 and will demonstrate what can be said to constitute a ‘Melbourne sound’
The popular/art culture of each country is shaped by that country’s particular circumstances. In Australia, key elements affecting the jazz scene are, its distance from the main centres of jazz influence and its small population. Both these elements affect how musicians learn their craft. The musicians on this CD have developed their skills in Melbourne and in many other countries, either specifically studying at an institution, completing workshops or performing. The underlying theme is that these musicians reside in Melbourne and that they are an important element in the style of the direction of music now and in the future of Melbourne, Australia.
This CD aims to identity a sample of the Melbourne jazz scene by mapping out the differing styles of jazz featuring five of the leading guitarist in Australia that reside in Melbourne. Most compositions are original and the aim is to demonstrate the artistic, social and cultural diversity of each player.
In 2004, I asked five guitarist to be part of this recording project. They were picked because of their different musical backgrounds, influences, musical directions and the high quality of their performance.
Rob Burke – “I have spent much time analysing my direction as a saxophonist and as a musician. What seemed to be a natural component of my playing was my sound quality. I understood how to create sound, and with practice, developed flexibility to play what I heard in my head. I found that this gave an avenue to create an individual identity. Secondly, after many years of performing, practicing and listening, one of my goals was to be creative in a melodic and interactive sense. This was a result of playing with such excellent melodic players as pianist Tony Gould, drummer Tony Floyd and bassist Nick Haywood. The musicians on this recording, some of which I have known for over twenty years, are all strong in many areas of their performance but ultimately have a great melodic sense that is based on interaction within the ensemble.
Doug deVries – Guitar
“It is a rare treat to be brought together with fellow guitarists for whom I have not only respect and admiration, but also a sense of amazement at how we can all play the same instrument and have such diverse approaches, illustrating once again how the guitar has been and continues to be so adaptable and accommodating in an array of styles and genres.
So it was with great pleasure that I took up Rob’s invitation to this project and to explore these features in a jazz context.
Jazz has remained for me a starting point, reference and departure point as an improviser, while I’ve taken in some of the vast history and far-reaching cultural manifestations of the guitar’s repertoire. My own personal journey has brought me time and time again to the music of Brazil, particularly samba and choro, always maintaining my jazz sensibilities.”
Slava Grigoryan
“Not being a jazz musician, it was with great excitement and a little nervousness that I agreed to be apart of this project. As a huge lover of jazz and improvisation I was particularly excited about working with these guys, whom I respect immensely. In my case, improvisation is a vital part of musical life, only it comes from a primitive, spontaneous urge that I have never had the pleasure of studying. It’s wonderful to be around people that really know what they are doing!“
Peter Petrucci – Guitar
“Improvisation for me is a catalyst for invention and interaction with other musicians over any musical context, a journey that is second to none especially in the company of such wonderful musicians. Within all elements of jazz the spirit and tradition is important as well as keeping your ears and mind open, to me this is what spontaneous music making is all about.“
Stephen Magnusson – Guitar
“Having come from the world of pop music, I have always found it intriguing multi-layering guitar parts to achieve a sonic resonance that is not possible with one instrument. And of course to have the chance to perform in a live context with such great players was a unique opportunity and a lot of fun.”
Geoff Hughes
“For me great improvising has a searching, yearning quality that can manifest itself in any number of elements at any time. Having mastery over those elements is only secondary to having mastery over the continuum in which you are creating music, the flow within the structure of your soul.”
