It has already been a very busy year, and there is a lot of great stuff still to come.
Panorama Brasil were in at Pughouse Studios in March, recording our new album, Flor de Pedra. The album features two wonderful singers - Diana Clark and Jacqueline Gawler - as well as some great instrumental numbers featuring these great musicians. There are a couple of videos from the session up already - check out the gallery section on our website. www.panoramadobrasil.com
Flautist Asha Henfry has started a great new choro/samba group called Tamandua. We've been gigging around Melbourne for a few months now. Check our fb page for more. www.facebook.com/tamanduaband
Panorama Brasil will be at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in June, performing with legendary Australian jazz singer Vince Jones, and Brazilian chanteuse Alda Rezende. We'll be presenting "Jobim", a tribute to the legendary Brazilian composer.
For more details about upcoming shows and recordings, go to my website www.alastairkerr.com.au or join the conversation www.facebook.com/alastairkerrmusic
Reply
But this is what happens when you spend most of your time playing music. Writing about it often takes a back seat.
2013 was a very satisfying year in so many ways, and I'd like to thank everyone who helped make it so. I'd particularly like to thank all of the Panorama do Brasil crew, including our special guests through the year; Kirsten and all the wonderful staff at the Melbourne Recital Centre; Sexteto Zona Sul (and our new friends in WA!); Doug and Diana - always supportive; Jem, Phil, Amanda and others who helped make the new album.
There were of course all the regulars - Trio Agogo, Projeto Inesperado, The Sunny Set, and Doug's trio. There were also some great new opportunities. It was a pleasure to play with Eamon and Dudi's project, and great to be back playing with Matt Boden.
This year is already looking big! Panorama do Brasil are off to Tasmania in a couple of weeks, Diana's album is almost done, and there are a couple of big projects in the pipeline. Stay tuned! Check my website for gig details and so-on: www.alastairkerr.com.au
Best wishes to you all for 2014, and hopefully I'll see you at a gig somewhere along the line.
Reply
Thanks to everyone who supported our gigs in 2012. What a great year it was - opening for Hermeto Pascoal at the Melbourne Recital Centre, full houses at the Melbourne and Wangaratta Jazz Festivals, a month in Sao Paulo studying and playing with some of the best musicians in Brazil.
2013 is already shaping up as a huge year. My new website, alastairkerr.com.au will be launched soon, as will panoramadobrasil.com.
My new group, Panorama do Brasil have a couple of exciting new projects coming up. We'll be previewing the first of these at our Open Studio show on January 11. 204 High St, Northcote.
The Doug de Vries Trio is back at Paris Cat on Jan 12. These early shows are very popular, so book a table to avoid disappointment. www.pariscat.com.au
The wonderful Antonio Moreira has been assembling a new samba/choro group for Projeto Sarava. We'll be making our debut on Jan 20 at Open Studio.
And Sexteto Zona Sul will be back at Paris Cat on Feb 2. The last show was packed out. Don't get turned away at the door! Book now! www.pariscat.com.au
Trio Rio '57 featuring Agostina Bruno are continuing the residency at Claypots Evening Star at the South Melbourne Markets. Wonderful bossa nova, boleros, rumbas and more, every Saturday from 8pm
Reply
It's already been a huge year for Brazilian music in Melbourne, and there is a lot more to come.
January '12 saw the release of Trio Agogo's debut album "The Story of Benjamin Constant." Featuring some special guests and the fantastic compositions of Paul Carey, the first run sold out in no time. Thankfully, there was a second run, and you can still buy this great choro album at Trio Agogo gigs. www.trioagogo.com
Meanwhile, the Doug de Vries Trio has been on fire. Our Baden Powell tribute show at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival sold out quickly. We'll be playing at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival this Saturday. www.dougdevries.com
Last week saw the launch of my new group - Panorama do Brasil. These guys played their asses off at Bennetts Lane on Tuesday. Stay tuned for more gigs in the new year. www.facebook.com/alastairkerrmusic
November sees Dany Maia return to Paris Cat Jazz Club (Nov 9), playing samba, bossa, xote, forro and more, with her all-star band. She'll also be at Dizzy's Jazz Club on Nov 30.
And the wait is over for Diana Clark's fans! The Sunny Daze single will be launched in December at the Flying Saucer Club in Elsternwick. Diana May Clark and the Sunny Set will be joined by the fantastic Greg Arnold for a romp through Diana's Brazilian-groove-infused pop songs. It will be grand!
Reply
Thanks to everyone who has supported our gigs this year (and bought our CDs!). What a great year for gigs it has been. So many fun gigs with Doug de Vries, The New Sheiks, Trio Agogo, Diana Clark's new band, my quartet and so many others.
Coming up in 2012, the launch of Trio Agogo's new album "The Story of Benjamin Constant", more gigs with Doug's fantastic trio, plus the recording of Diana Clark's new album "Diana May Clark and the Sunny Set."
And don't be surprised to see a new album from Leigh Barker's New Sheiks. We did some recording on the road in Oct/Nov, and there are some great tracks laid down. Should be a worthy follow-up to our Bell Award winning album from this year.
Check the gig list for all my performance news. 2012 kicks off with the Doug de Vries Trio at Paris Cat on January 7.
Have a great Christmas and New Year's!
Reply
Having a great tour so far with Leigh Barker's New Sheiks. Sold-out shows in Melbourne, Launceston and Hobart, plus a great weekend at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival. A special highlight among many was the gospel set for the annual Jazz Mass at Holy Trinity Cathedral. Not often you get asked for an encore in church!
Some of you may have caught us live on-air for ABC Radio in Canberra today. We'll be back for gigs here on Wednesday and Thursday nights (Nov 2&3). In the mean-time, we'll be in Sydney (Nov 1) and Wollongong (lunchtime Nov 2).
We'll be hitting the NSW South-coast too - Moruya and Narooma on Friday and Saturday respectively - then back to Sydney to play at the Camelot Lounge on Sunday.
Matt's been blogging all the way - check it out at http://thenewsheiks.wordpress.com/
Reply
Lots of great gigs coming up over the next couple of months.
Starting off this week, Trio Agogo are playing at the Melbourne City Library as part of their Acoustica Series. Thursday 22/9, 6pm, Flinders Lane (near Degraves).
Diana Clark presents her new band as part of the Fringe Festival. Performing Diana's great new songs - think Brazilian influenced pop - they'll be playing Sept 22-24 at Paris Cat. www.dianaclark.com.au
On Sept 22 at Paris Cat, following Diana's set will be a set by the virtuoso guitarist Doug de Vries. He'll be leading his trio through some classic Brazilian repertoire.
Plenty of other great gigs coming up too, with Ben Carr, Trio Agogo, and of course, Leigh Barker's New Sheiks touring in Oct/Nov.
Reply
The Alastair Kerr Quartet are back at Bennetts Lane Jazz Club on Tuesday August 30, presented by the Melbourne Jazz Co-op. We'll be premiering some new tunes, as well as playing some favourites from "The Ultimate Fate of..." www.mjc.org.au
And there'll be two great nights of Brazilian music the following weekend. On Friday September 2, Ben Carr and Trio Agogo join forces at Wesley Anne in Northcote, playing Brazilian jazz, choro and forro from 5-7pm.
Then on Saturday September 3, one of Australia's great guitarists returns to Paris Cat with his trio. Don't miss the Doug de Vries Trio as they play Afro-Brazilian jazz, choro, samba, bossa nova and more. This is the early show at Paris Cat, and usually sells out, so bookings are advisable. One set only, 7:30pm. www.pariscat.com.au
Reply
Congratulations to all the winners at last week's Bell Awards, and a big congrats to Leigh Barker! The Captain won Best Traditional Jazz Album for The New Sheiks (featuring yours truly).
The New Sheiks will be playing at the Stonnington Jazz Festival on Friday May 27 (www.stonningtonjazz.com.au) and you can buy the album online at www.cdbaby.com/leighbarker3
Reply
Just added a little edited sample of 5am, Hendrix on TV. This is from our recently released album The Ultimate Fate of..., which you can find at www.cdbaby.com/alastairkerrquartet as well as in music stores around Melbourne.
Reply
Alastair McGrath-Kerr / Blog
2015 Update... Yes, I know it's May...
It has already been a very busy year, and there is a lot of great stuff still to come.
Panorama Brasil were in at Pughouse Studios in March, recording our new album, Flor de Pedra. The album features two wonderful singers - Diana Clark and Jacqueline Gawler - as well as some great instrumental numbers featuring these great musicians. There are a couple of videos from the session up already - check out the gallery section on our website. www.panoramadobrasil.com
Flautist Asha Henfry has started a great new choro/samba group called Tamandua. We've been gigging around Melbourne for a few months now. Check our fb page for more. www.facebook.com/tamanduaband
Panorama Brasil will be at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in June, performing with legendary Australian jazz singer Vince Jones, and Brazilian chanteuse Alda Rezende. We'll be presenting "Jobim", a tribute to the legendary Brazilian composer.
For more details about upcoming shows and recordings, go to my website www.alastairkerr.com.au or join the conversation www.facebook.com/alastairkerrmusic
Reply
Apparently I'm a slack blogger
But this is what happens when you spend most of your time playing music. Writing about it often takes a back seat.
2013 was a very satisfying year in so many ways, and I'd like to thank everyone who helped make it so. I'd particularly like to thank all of the Panorama do Brasil crew, including our special guests through the year; Kirsten and all the wonderful staff at the Melbourne Recital Centre; Sexteto Zona Sul (and our new friends in WA!); Doug and Diana - always supportive; Jem, Phil, Amanda and others who helped make the new album.
There were of course all the regulars - Trio Agogo, Projeto Inesperado, The Sunny Set, and Doug's trio. There were also some great new opportunities. It was a pleasure to play with Eamon and Dudi's project, and great to be back playing with Matt Boden.
This year is already looking big! Panorama do Brasil are off to Tasmania in a couple of weeks, Diana's album is almost done, and there are a couple of big projects in the pipeline. Stay tuned! Check my website for gig details and so-on: www.alastairkerr.com.au
Best wishes to you all for 2014, and hopefully I'll see you at a gig somewhere along the line.
Reply
Here comes 2013
Thanks to everyone who supported our gigs in 2012. What a great year it was - opening for Hermeto Pascoal at the Melbourne Recital Centre, full houses at the Melbourne and Wangaratta Jazz Festivals, a month in Sao Paulo studying and playing with some of the best musicians in Brazil.
2013 is already shaping up as a huge year. My new website, alastairkerr.com.au will be launched soon, as will panoramadobrasil.com.
My new group, Panorama do Brasil have a couple of exciting new projects coming up. We'll be previewing the first of these at our Open Studio show on January 11. 204 High St, Northcote.
The Doug de Vries Trio is back at Paris Cat on Jan 12. These early shows are very popular, so book a table to avoid disappointment. www.pariscat.com.au
The wonderful Antonio Moreira has been assembling a new samba/choro group for Projeto Sarava. We'll be making our debut on Jan 20 at Open Studio.
And Sexteto Zona Sul will be back at Paris Cat on Feb 2. The last show was packed out. Don't get turned away at the door! Book now! www.pariscat.com.au
Trio Rio '57 featuring Agostina Bruno are continuing the residency at Claypots Evening Star at the South Melbourne Markets. Wonderful bossa nova, boleros, rumbas and more, every Saturday from 8pm
Reply
Brazilian madness
It's already been a huge year for Brazilian music in Melbourne, and there is a lot more to come.
January '12 saw the release of Trio Agogo's debut album "The Story of Benjamin Constant." Featuring some special guests and the fantastic compositions of Paul Carey, the first run sold out in no time. Thankfully, there was a second run, and you can still buy this great choro album at Trio Agogo gigs. www.trioagogo.com
Meanwhile, the Doug de Vries Trio has been on fire. Our Baden Powell tribute show at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival sold out quickly. We'll be playing at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival this Saturday. www.dougdevries.com
Last week saw the launch of my new group - Panorama do Brasil. These guys played their asses off at Bennetts Lane on Tuesday. Stay tuned for more gigs in the new year. www.facebook.com/alastairkerrmusic
November sees Dany Maia return to Paris Cat Jazz Club (Nov 9), playing samba, bossa, xote, forro and more, with her all-star band. She'll also be at Dizzy's Jazz Club on Nov 30.
And the wait is over for Diana Clark's fans! The Sunny Daze single will be launched in December at the Flying Saucer Club in Elsternwick. Diana May Clark and the Sunny Set will be joined by the fantastic Greg Arnold for a romp through Diana's Brazilian-groove-infused pop songs. It will be grand!
Reply
The year that was...
Thanks to everyone who has supported our gigs this year (and bought our CDs!). What a great year for gigs it has been. So many fun gigs with Doug de Vries, The New Sheiks, Trio Agogo, Diana Clark's new band, my quartet and so many others.
Coming up in 2012, the launch of Trio Agogo's new album "The Story of Benjamin Constant", more gigs with Doug's fantastic trio, plus the recording of Diana Clark's new album "Diana May Clark and the Sunny Set."
And don't be surprised to see a new album from Leigh Barker's New Sheiks. We did some recording on the road in Oct/Nov, and there are some great tracks laid down. Should be a worthy follow-up to our Bell Award winning album from this year.
Check the gig list for all my performance news. 2012 kicks off with the Doug de Vries Trio at Paris Cat on January 7.
Have a great Christmas and New Year's!
Reply
The New Sheiks
Having a great tour so far with Leigh Barker's New Sheiks. Sold-out shows in Melbourne, Launceston and Hobart, plus a great weekend at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival. A special highlight among many was the gospel set for the annual Jazz Mass at Holy Trinity Cathedral. Not often you get asked for an encore in church!
Some of you may have caught us live on-air for ABC Radio in Canberra today. We'll be back for gigs here on Wednesday and Thursday nights (Nov 2&3). In the mean-time, we'll be in Sydney (Nov 1) and Wollongong (lunchtime Nov 2).
We'll be hitting the NSW South-coast too - Moruya and Narooma on Friday and Saturday respectively - then back to Sydney to play at the Camelot Lounge on Sunday.
Matt's been blogging all the way - check it out at http://thenewsheiks.wordpress.com/
Reply
Busy times!
Lots of great gigs coming up over the next couple of months.
Starting off this week, Trio Agogo are playing at the Melbourne City Library as part of their Acoustica Series. Thursday 22/9, 6pm, Flinders Lane (near Degraves).
Diana Clark presents her new band as part of the Fringe Festival. Performing Diana's great new songs - think Brazilian influenced pop - they'll be playing Sept 22-24 at Paris Cat. www.dianaclark.com.au
On Sept 22 at Paris Cat, following Diana's set will be a set by the virtuoso guitarist Doug de Vries. He'll be leading his trio through some classic Brazilian repertoire.
Plenty of other great gigs coming up too, with Ben Carr, Trio Agogo, and of course, Leigh Barker's New Sheiks touring in Oct/Nov.
Reply
Aug 30 at Bennetts Lane
The Alastair Kerr Quartet are back at Bennetts Lane Jazz Club on Tuesday August 30, presented by the Melbourne Jazz Co-op. We'll be premiering some new tunes, as well as playing some favourites from "The Ultimate Fate of..." www.mjc.org.au
And there'll be two great nights of Brazilian music the following weekend. On Friday September 2, Ben Carr and Trio Agogo join forces at Wesley Anne in Northcote, playing Brazilian jazz, choro and forro from 5-7pm.
Then on Saturday September 3, one of Australia's great guitarists returns to Paris Cat with his trio. Don't miss the Doug de Vries Trio as they play Afro-Brazilian jazz, choro, samba, bossa nova and more. This is the early show at Paris Cat, and usually sells out, so bookings are advisable. One set only, 7:30pm. www.pariscat.com.au
Reply
The Bells - The Australian Jazz Awards
Congratulations to all the winners at last week's Bell Awards, and a big congrats to Leigh Barker! The Captain won Best Traditional Jazz Album for The New Sheiks (featuring yours truly).
The New Sheiks will be playing at the Stonnington Jazz Festival on Friday May 27 (www.stonningtonjazz.com.au) and you can buy the album online at www.cdbaby.com/leighbarker3
Reply
New tune up
Just added a little edited sample of 5am, Hendrix on TV. This is from our recently released album The Ultimate Fate of..., which you can find at www.cdbaby.com/alastairkerrquartet as well as in music stores around Melbourne.
Reply