A special Memorial Concert celebrating the musical life and legacy of drummer/bandleader/composer and poet Allan Browne, OAM, who passed away, just short of his 71st birthday in June 2015
Eugene Ball reflections – “Al’s impact on the jazz/ improvised music community in Melbourne was immense. He mentored dozens of developing and experienced musicians in a profound manner. Above all he showed us that taking risk is at the core of improvised music. The diversity of his practice debunked misguided judgments about the superiority/ inferiority of early/ contemporary jazz. He was a kind of conduit between the past, present and future of jazz.
His influence on the scene was so far reaching and so deep that it is tangible in pretty much every setting in which jazz and improvised music are performed in Melbourne today.
His quintet intends to continue, inviting emerging drummers to work with the ensemble on a project-by-project basis; in an attempt to perpetuate the mentoring spirit of Al. Both Barney McAll and Andrea Keller have a variety of ongoing projects at Bennetts Lane that have been established to honour his memory.”
The concert will feature some of Melbourne’s finest contemporary musicians, virtually all of whom performed with Browne over his long career. Between them the line up of artists are the recipients of a six ARIAs, three National Jazz Awards, a Melbourne Music Prize, Don Banks Award and numerous “Bell” Australian Jazz Awards for Album or Artist of the Year. The line-up includes:
Paul Grabowsky, AO Barney McAll Bob Sedergreen Tim Stevens Andrea Keller Julien Wilson Shelley Scown Eugene Ball
Phil Noy Geoff Hughes Nick Haywood Richard Miller
Maddison Carter Geoff Kluke Onaje James McLean
Allan Browne Quintet Tamara Murphy Virus Howard Cairns
Cam Robbins Brett Iggulden, OAM John Scurry Andy Ross Margie-Lou Dyer Stonnington Jazz Youth Initiative Lyn Wallis
Date: Friday, September 23rd, 8pm
Venue: The Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins Street Melbourne
Tickets: $40 / $30 concessions / $20 Student Rush at the Door
Bookings: Ticketek or phone bookings on 03 9650 1500