Renowned jazz guitarist JIM KELLY has teamed up with upcoming young jazz guitarist MATT SMITH whose name will shortly be on everyone’s lips. Jim is featured on acoustic guitars (all Australian made) and Matt holds down the electric side of things plus effects. Jim’s compositions are a feature of the performance and they are peppered with the flavours of Brazil, Spain and Jim’s own quirkiness. Much space is left for improvising and the duo’s motto is ONWARDS & SIDEWAYS as is their inaugural cd fresh out of Jim’s own studio near Byron Bay – Nashua Road Recording Studios.
NASHUA ROAD RECORDING STUDIOS
is also owned by luthier LES DORAHY who has built a few of Jim’s instruments and drummer RUSSELL DUNLOP who has recently moved to the area from Sydney.
Jim and Matt will be conducting workshops and gigs in Sydney at the end of May and celebrating the release of their cd.
Of the duo’s cd, writer/pianist David Bentley, says … ‘reflective, meditative, challenging and exhilarating, sometimes by turns, sometimes simultaneously. At 23, Matt Smith displays Jim’s same angularity of phrasing, harmonic depth, lyricism and offbeat musical humour that characterises Kelly’s playing and there’s a lovely sense of mutual respect bridging the generational divide on this album … two fine musicians having fun.’
ONWARDS & SIDEWAYS can be purchased by contacting Jules Kelly … jimandjules@aapt.net.au – also look at Jim’s myspace … http://www.myspace.com/ jimkellycontemporaryjazzguitarist
