Jazz in the Pines

Norfolk's whispering pines will carry the sassy tones of toe-tapping jazz music this year when the tiny island hosts the Jazz in the Pines Festival from 4-8 December 2006.

For further information on the jazz festival email:jazz@nigtb.gov.nf

Set amongst spectacular island scenery, the finger-snapping, feel-good week of swing, funk and blues will see top jazz acts feature in seven Ëœbooty-shaking' shows, including two major concerts and three dinner performances, as well as roving performances along Norfolk's famous tax-free shopping strip.

The Jazz in the Pines Festival will cap Norfolk Island's sesquicentenary celebrations this year, marking 150 years of settlement by the descendants of the Bounty mutineers who migrated to Norfolk from the rebels' original hideout on Pitcairn Island in 1856.

Performers at the jazz festival will include the internationally acclaimed Geoff Bull New Orleans Jazz Band, crowd-pleasing NZ acts Nairobi Trio and Hot Club Sandwich, the popular John Morrison Quartet, South African jazz great Shannon Mowday (picture left), smooth Newcastle trumpeter Bob Henderson, Australian soul diva Evelyn Duprai and the most successful world music band in Australian history, Monsieur Camembert.

Billed as Australia's best-ever New Orleans-style jazz trumpeter, Geoff Bull is a descendant of the famous Norwegian violinist Ole Bull who toured the world in the mid 19th century. Specialising in New York-style jazz, the up-tempo music of the John Morrison Quartet is spearheaded by the talented and sought-after jazz drummer himself.

The soulful blues voice of Evelyn Duprai is certain to give jazz fans on Norfolk goosebumps while the Latin-flavoured gypsy swing of triple ARIA winning group, Monsieur Camembert, which has enchanted audiences at music festivals around the world, will ensure the party continues well after Norfolk's unique owls have gone to sleep.

New Zealand's most popular jazz ensemble, Nairobi Trio (picture right), will join fellow Kiwi 30s-flavoured swing band, Hot Club Sandwich, in keeping the mood upbeat while South African saxophone star Shannon Mowday will do her best to sax' up the fun festival.

"The 2006 Jazz in the Pines Festival promises to offer soulful and uplifting tunes in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable for a celebration of good music," said Norfolk Island Tourism General Manager Steve McInnes. "It will provide a memorable conclusion to Norfolk's 150th anniversary celebrations this year."

HOT CLUB SANDWICH

Hot Club Sandwich are regulars on New Zealand's jazz and arts festival circuit and renowned for leaving themselves and audiences exhausted at the end of a performance.
The trio comprises singer/guitarist Andrew London, bass player Terry Crayford and Neil Billington, the man Midge Marsden has called the "best harmonica" player in New Zealand. With an up-tempo repertoire of jazz, blues and country standards and some satirical original numbers dealing with fashion victims, television evangelists, rugby widows and cafe culture HCS promises an entertaining evening of musical delights guaranteed to appeal to jazz purists, blues lovers and country fans alike. Their 2004 CD "Toasted" won a rare 4 star review in Downbeat magazine; the USA's longest standing and most widely read jazz publication.

Singer/songwriter Evelyn Duprai is regularly sought after throughout Sydney for both solo and ensemble vocal performance work.

With her very soulful jazzy blues voice, Evelyn has had the privilege of working in some of Sydney's most prestigious entertainment venues such as: Fox Studios, The Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Town Hall, The Superdome, The Sydney Entertainment Centre; and more recently, the Sydney Opera House with the Eon Beats Project led by renowned Sydney musician, Rick Robertson.

Evelyn is just as comfortable in front of a television camera as she is on stage having performed on Kerri-Anne's Midday show and Andrew Denton's CNNN, as well as on a host of live gospel music video productions.

Her vocal and songwriting abilities have received favourable music industry recognition. In 2000, she was awarded the Solo Vocalist category winner for Australia's first ever Gospel Eisteddfod, and in 2002, Evelyn was nominated for the Musicoz songwriters award in the RnB category, placing her as one of the top five finalists in the country.

It's comes as no surprise that Evelyn has also recently released her very own single entitled "Positively Beautiful" - a very creative fusion of funk, soul and jazz with just the right balance of brass and plenty of groove!

Now with a music video clip under her belt, and a debut album on the horizon, Evelyn is continually looking for opportunities to expand her artistic endeavours. Evelyn's sheer determination to push the boundaries in the realm of her own artistic experience, and her  integrity and passion for her craft , will no doubt ensure that she builds a solid career in the wonderful world of entertainment.

Monsieur Camembert, the most successful World Music band in Australian music history, last night won the ARIA Award for Best World Music Album at the prestigious Fine Arts Awards held at the Conservatorium of Music in Sydney, for their recent
self-titled double-CD set.

This outstanding achievement follows on from their wins in the same category for their Live On Stage CD in 2002 and Absynthe in 2003.

Chosen from an impressive line-up of six of Australia's superior talents in the world music category, Monsieur Camembert were also invited to perform at the awards their vibrant new song Jazz Police, a highlight of the live to air broadcast for ABC Classic FM.

Described as eclectic, virtuosic, theatrical and irreverent, Monsieur Camembert fuse the wild rhythms of Eastern Europe with tango and Latin music, swing, jazz, klezmer, tarantella and French Musette. This latest CD release is comprised many of the tracks that the ensemble never had the opportunity to release over the years. Accepting the award last night, Yaron Hallis, Monsieur Camembert's lead vocalist and guitarist, said:

"Originally this CD was going to be a greatest hits CD, but then we realised we didn't have any greatest hits. We did however have two albums worth of unreleased tracks, and so this double CD unreleased-retrospective was born. without drawing on any previously released material - just Camembarities! Over the past few years, there has been an explosion of interest in Gypsy sounding bands or 'Gyp-rock' - and with one foot in world and one foot in jazz, it has been thrilling to be at the forefront of this exciting trend!"

Monsieur Camembert have traversed so many styles and sounds on this album, that, as Yaron himself states: "Hopefully there's a little slice of cheese for everyone!"

Suffice to say, the group is extremely proud of their unprecedented three consecutive ARIAS for World Music, the first band in Australia to be honoured in this category more than once.

Gloriously melodramatic, extraordinary musical prowess [and] breathless panache... ensemble playing at it's finest. (Drum Media Magazine)

For further information and booking inquiries
Please contact the Australian Jazz Agency.

web: www.australianjazzagency.com

Email: leslie@australianjazzagency.com

Shannon Mowday...

From a land rich in musical and cultural diversity comes one of its most outstanding Performers and Composers. Born in South Africa to a musical family, Shannon Mowday draws from many influences with seemingly boundless energy and brings it together with purpose and style.

Acknowledged internationally as a gifted saxophone player, she is also an accomplished multi-instrumentalist covering the range of the entire woodwind family.

As a prolific composer, many music critics have applauded her gift of blending jazz with an eclectic mix of African rhythms and folklore. Her music expresses the difficulties and growth of her homeland with a totally honest and fresh approach which is difficult to put in any one genre.

As a resident lecturer at Cape Town University, her academic talents have also been acknowledged by the University of California (UCLA) where she has performed and lectured on the many facets of her playing and style. Shannon has also contributed insightful articles to the international publication Saxophone Journal. As well as the United States, Shannon continues to draw international attention with continuing projects in Scandinavia, Europe and Australia where she recently recorded her original compositions with jazz virtuoso and multi-instrumentalist James Morrison. Shannon admits it's hard to ignore the deep love of jazz evident in her work which is punctuated with breathtaking solos and an openness to explore improvisation on many levels.

With invitations to perform at major jazz festivals on four continents, Shannon Mowday now explores the many possibilities of her music on the international stage. Although she remains in demand as a recording artist and television personality in South Africa, it is her original work that will be the focus of her future.

"Words cannot describe the feeling of being drawn into her music and experiencing her abundant ability which will be recognised as one of South Africa's finest musical exports"

"...a rising star that knows how to play and cares about music...watch out for Shannon Mowday...she will be one of the
great ones!..." Dr Douglas Masek (UCLA)

Performances with international artists:

John Fedchock (USA)
Dave O'Higgins (UK)
Douglas Masek (USA)
Frederick Noren (Sweden)
Stefon Harris (USA)
Brazz Brothers (Norway)
Rabbi Jack (Canada)
Stockholm Jazz Orchestra (Sweden)
Dave Young (Canada)
John Thomas (USA)
James Morrison (Australia)
John Morrison (Australia)

Guest soloist for Norwegian 'Big Boss Band and Swedish Big Band "Satin Dolls"
Featured in South African-Scandinavian international cultural exchange project -'Jazmyne'

Performances with SA artists include:

Carlos Mombelli
Elsabe Zietsman
Sibongele Khumalo
Winston Mankuku
Gloria Bosman
Taliep Petersen
Themba Mkhize
Prince Legoasa
Barney Rachabane
Judith Sephuma
Mynie Grove
Amanda Strydom
Kevin Gibson

For further information on the jazz festival email:jazz@nigtb.gov.nf