music

  • John Stefulj, R.I.P.

    John Stefulj, a superb musician, and my friend, passed away. The jazz community remembered and celebrated him at the Brisbane Jazz Club on May 2. I met John in DM Restaurant on Stanley Street Plaza, about five years ago. He… Continue reading

    John Stefulj, R.I.P.
  • Valtozash Brisbane Review @ Crowbar

    My take on this fabulous metal-jazz big band, originally published in Scenestr. http://scenestr.com.au/music/valtozash-brisbane-review-crowbar-20171221 Valtozash, Brisbane’s 17-piece jazz-metal big band, headlined X-Mess II at Crowbar in Fortitude Valley (20 December). They crammed onto the stage and brutalised us with an onslaught… Continue reading

    Valtozash Brisbane Review @ Crowbar
  • Nice work when you can get it

    What a lovely surprise to walk into the Treasury Heritage Hotel and see this!  And here we go…  I wish I could take a better photo, but it’s too rude to hold my phone up close to a bunch of… Continue reading

    Nice work when you can get it
  • I bought a Beale piano!

    In April, I bought an upright piano! After moving around the world for decades with different digital pianos, I’m finally settled enough to own this big old, magical wooden box with 1,200 moving parts. Now, I am home. I drove… Continue reading

    I bought a Beale piano!
  • Richard Howell, Luthier

    There is a song in the wood and we seek to unlock that song and give it form so that each player in their quest for the ‘perfect’ sound can deepen their musical journey. Richard Howell Richard Howell audio clip… Continue reading

    Richard Howell, Luthier
  • Blues Arcadia EP review

    Blues Arcadia’s debut EP by the same name is seven original songs running the gamut of the blues. These musicians are the real thing with nothing to hide. Recording live to tape meant absolute commitment to every moment of the… Continue reading

    Blues Arcadia EP review
  • Iron Maiden Voyage, Valtozash EP review

    In the late eighties, my mind was shot to pieces by the maniacal brilliance of a group of London jazz musicians called Loose Tubes, under the mirthful goading of their band leader, enfant terrible Django Bates. Today, I am listening… Continue reading

    Iron Maiden Voyage, Valtozash EP review
  • Blues Arcadia at Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall

    Originally published in Scenestr. Blues Arcadia guitarist Chris Harvey said before the gig, “At Lefty’s, they’re there to party, and we’re there to help them. So that’s what we do. Bang bang, it’s quite electrifying. We’re there to work the… Continue reading

    Blues Arcadia at Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall