An interview with Tom Vincent on his new work created for this year’s Dark MOFO

A darker, larger Tom Vincent ensemble performs new extended jazz compositions that unify ancient and contemporary music forms.

JK: What inspired this suite of music?
TV: The inspiration comes from the musicians I am composing for who will be playing the suite. Jazz is unexpected surprise element in improvisation. Like conversation. We like conversing with our best friends because we can say anything. It’s spontaneous and fun. We can have a deep sense of connection. The musicians in the Tom Vincent Octet who will be performing this new suite Dhāraṇī for Dark MOFO are: Julien Wilson tenor, Steve Grant trumpet, Phil Noy alto, Ben Gillespie trombone and vocals, Paul Williamson baritone sax and vocals, Hiroki Hoshino double bass and Alf Jackson drums (and me on piano).
Also, “Tom Vincent is assisted through Arts Tasmania by the Minister for the Arts”; I received funding from Arts Tas to compose.

JK: What can audiences expect to hear?
TV: It’s an 80 minute suite with eight movements. Because I have written it for Dark MOFO all the movements I have composed are in minor keys. Most of the five movements that have key centres modulate once or twice in such a way that we will be going through all 12 minor keys each concert. Three of the movements do not have specified tonal centres. Because it’s Dark MOFO you can be a bit weird so I’m trying out something, an idea which came to me last year while I was in Japan. It’s quite unusual. I’ve never heard it before, I don’t know how it will go, but i think it will be really fun and interesting. Quite unusual and perhaps going against unwritten rules in a way. This concept will percolate throughout the suite. We are putting my grand piano into the Moonah Arts Centre which is a brand new state of the art performance venue; beautiful interior with excellent acoustics.

JK: Any chance that this ensemble will tour?
TV: Joanne, Great idea! I think we would all want to if it was financially viable. It’s so much work setting up. With the current political climate massive love-in for arts I’m sure it would be easy for us to secure government funding to tour. Joke. I think I need to find a private benefactor or something. It would be great if there was a scout hear us at Dark MOFO and invite us to perform at festivals overseas. Or if I could find a manger or agent. Some one with good people skills and diplomacy. There are a few hours of music to choose from from compositions and arrangements I have written over the last couple of years that the Octet can perform. We should tour. But first, people! – come down from the mainland and catch one of our concerts at Dark MOFO in Hobart in June!

Joining Tom (grand piano) is Julien Wilson (tenor sax), Steve Grant (trumpet), Phil Noy (alto sax), Ben Gillespie (trombone), Paul Williamson (baritone saxophone), Hiroki Hoshino (double bass), and Alf Jackson (drums).

This band is an extension from Tom’s recent recording: the Tom Vincent Septet. It is the same line up but with two new players Paul Williamson and Hiroki Hoshino.
This new suite of music and Tom has composed the music especially for Dark MOFO

 

The new Moonah Arts Centre

TUESDAY JUNE 14
7:30 pm MOONAH ARTS CENTRE

WEDNESDAY JUNE 15
7:30 pm MOONAH ARTS CENTRE
MORE INFO

LEAVE A REPLY