Alastair McGrath-Kerr

Rank #28 MELBOURNE, VIC, AU Jazz / Brazilian

About

Members: Panorama do Brasil Al Parsons (tbn), Asha Henfry (fl), Dan Gassin (pno), Jorge Albuquerque (bs). Q'tet - Marc Hannaford (pno), Pat Thiele (tpt), Sam Ze...

Sounds Like: Wayne Shorter, Flora Purim & Airto Moreira, Jacob do Bandolim, Hermeto Pascoal, Wynton Marsalis

Label: Independent

Bio: Al McGrath-Kerr studied at the Canberra School of Music with legendary teacher Col Hoorweg. Now based in Melbourne, he leads his own group - the Alastair Kerr Quartet - who released their debut album, "The Ultimate Fate of..." in 2010. In 2012 Al started a new project - Panorama do Brasil - foc... See Full Bio

More Info

Status

Panorama do Brasil at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. http://www.melbournerecital.com.au/whatson/buytix?perfid=5452

Press

“Trio Agogo's Paul Carey - 20 questions... What are your vices? Whatever is going. No really, can I have some? What's on your dream rider? All the stuff from the ''vices'' question. read more via the weblink”

— The Canberra Times

“Al Kerr came to town with his Trio Agogo and friends, so his trio had six performers. Apparently ABC radio has commented on this too, but let’s not be too prescriptive. Trio Agogo plays Brazilian music and it comprises Australian musicians with Brazilian experience and knowledge and with a history of visits to the soul of the music...”

— Eric Pozza, Canberra Jazz Blog

“The Ultimate Fate of... 3.5 stars. This debut from Melbourne drummer Alastair Kerr finds him leading a quartet with trumpeter Pat Thiele, pianist Marc Hannaford and bassist Sam Zerna. They explore five Kerr originals, and one by the pianist. Thiele's is the lead voice, and he impresses with a strong, expressive sound, alongside the ability to develop his solos with both boldness and poise. Hannaford also stands out as a confident soloist with plenty of ideas and the ability to articulate them. Zerna and Kerr mostly adhere to ensemble roles, maintaining a strong pulse throughout.”

— Adrian Jackson, Limelight

“The four accomplished musicians offer fresh contemporary jazz, with most of the numbers composed by the players. The style is strongly rhtyhmic and the harmonies highly original, with superb work on drum kit from Alastair Kerr often kicking off brilliant trumpet improvisations from Pat Thiele. The support from Sam Zerna's double bass and Marc Hannaford's experienced keyboard underpins the unified sound. Starting with Channel 5, Take 2 and following up with Wardrobophone, humour featured strongly both in the titles and the music making. Standout numbers were Kerr's The Ultimate Fate of the Energizer Bunny and I Might Be Quite Some Time from their CD The Ultimate Fate Of. Loni Thomson's warm, clear vocals brought contrast with Time is Lost, Rewind and versions classic songs Secret Love and Blue Skies. Her scatting on Nowhere was a highlight. A generous program concluded with Who Could Say? and finally Hide and Seek; everyone was on their game.”

— Peter Donnelly, The Mercury (Hobart)

“The Ultimate Fate of . . . Alastair Kerr Quartet Independent 3.5 stars THIS youthful Melbourne quartet led by drummer Alastair Kerr has released a debut album of originals, five by Kerr, plus one from the group's pianist Marc Hannaford. It's a straight-ahead jazz combo recorded live at Bennetts Lane, and featuring trumpeter Pat Thiele with Sam Zerna on double bass. Most of the substance is provided by Hannaford's inspired piano; they're all talented musicians, but Hannaford is the most experienced. Comically titled The Ultimate Fate of The Energizer Bunny, the 15-minute Kerr opener features bass, piano and a toy piano chiming daintily to establish the theme. Zerna's bass contributes a lengthy, intelligent solo with piano chords fleshing out the low notes before the drumkit arrives and Hannaford provides a piano bass ostinato, as the three instruments build climactically to the trumpet's entry... Read more via weblink...”

— John McBeath, The Australian

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Recent Blogs

Here comes 2013
Jan 2, 2013
Thanks to everyone who supported our gigs in 2012. What a great year it was - o... [more]

Brazilian madness
Oct 29, 2012
It's already been a huge year for Brazilian music in Melbourne, and there is a l... [more]

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Songs

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Play "Stone Flower"

Stone Flower

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Play "The Archer and the Dancer"

The Archer and the …

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Play "Pandeiro Solo"

Pandeiro Solo

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Play "Benjamin Constant - live"

Benjamin Constant -…

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Play "Pepper"

Pepper

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Videos

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Shows

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Sat
Jun 1

Paris Cat Jazz Club
Melbourne, VIC, AU | 7:00pm
Paris Cat Jazz Club
Melbourne, VIC, AU
Sat Jun 01 7:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Details

The wonderful Paris Cat Jazz Club will be hosting sessions as part of the 2013 Melbourne International Jazz Festival. Internationally recognised as a master of Brazilian guitar styles, Doug de Vries leads his great trio through classic and modern repertoire, including music by Baden Powell, Garoto, Yamandu Costa, Jobim and others. With Frank Di Sario (bass) and Al Kerr (drums/percussion). www.dougdevries.com Bookings recommended.
Sat
Jun 8

Melbourne Recital Centr…
Southbank, VIC, AU | 3:00pm
Melbourne Recital Centre S...
Southbank, VIC, AU
Sat Jun 08 3:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Details

This new suite by Melbourne composer and percussionist, Alastair Kerr, brings the aesthetic of Brazilian rhythms - exciting, multi-layered and diverse - to contemporary Australian jazz. Expansive and beguiling, mischievous and beautiful, The Archer and the Dancer is named for Berimbau (the Archer) which forms part of the traditional musical accompaniment in the Brazilian martial art, capoeira (the Dancer). The interplay between the two was central to the development of capoeira as an art form, where mischievousness, beauty and improvisation combine. Part of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
Sat
Jun 8

Melbourne Recital Centr…
Southbank, VIC, AU | 6:00pm
Melbourne Recital Centre S...
Southbank, VIC, AU
Sat Jun 08 6:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Details

This new suite by Melbourne composer and percussionist, Alastair Kerr, brings the aesthetic of Brazilian rhythms - exciting, multi-layered and diverse - to contemporary Australian jazz. Expansive and beguiling, mischievous and beautiful, The Archer and the Dancer is named for Berimbau (the Archer) which forms part of the traditional musical accompaniment in the Brazilian martial art, capoeira (the Dancer). The interplay between the two was central to the development of capoeira as an art form, where mischievousness, beauty and improvisation combine. Part of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.