Jazz it up at WAAPA with a host of brand-new works from star graduates
Jazz it up at WAAPA with a host of brand-new works from star graduates
Updated: 29 Apr 2021
Cate Tweedie
Get back into the swing of live performance with an evening of freshly minted jazz works, composed by some of Australia’s best jazz musicians, and performed by WAAPA’s current cohort of jazz students.
WAAPA have commissioned eleven of its alumni to compose original music for Grand Designs: Jazz and the World, taking place in the Geoff Gibbs Theatre on-campus on Thursday 6 and Saturday 8 May.
Residing all over the world, from Europe to New York, Melbourne to Perth, these alumni, including two-time Grammy nominated saxophonist Troy Roberts and Aria Award winning vocalist Sarah McKenzie, were asked to compose a musical response to the question: How would you change the world?
The interpretations range from big band pieces to combo works, including a work especially for keyboard ensemble. The vocal ensemble is kept busy as well, being utilised for a whole range of pieces with their rich and complex harmonies.
“WAAPA has produced a myriad of innovative, world-class jazz composers and arrangers whose music is performed around the world,” says musical director Tom O’Halloran, himself a WAAPA graduate and now its Jazz Coordinator.
“In this COVID-19 world, being able to connect with our graduates to create this unique concert event has been a real joy. Their massive musical ideas will be performed by WAAPA’s jazz ensembles, including a combined big band and vocal choir. It’s going to be a really fabulous, entertaining and all-round-incredible evening of jazz!”
Come hear these brand new works, as well as the best of new jazz talent at either of the Grand Designs: Jazz and the World concerts on May 6 and 8.
Tickets are available from here.
WAAPA have commissioned eleven of its alumni to compose original music for Grand Designs: Jazz and the World, taking place in the Geoff Gibbs Theatre on-campus on Thursday 6 and Saturday 8 May.
Residing all over the world, from Europe to New York, Melbourne to Perth, these alumni, including two-time Grammy nominated saxophonist Troy Roberts and Aria Award winning vocalist Sarah McKenzie, were asked to compose a musical response to the question: How would you change the world?
The interpretations range from big band pieces to combo works, including a work especially for keyboard ensemble. The vocal ensemble is kept busy as well, being utilised for a whole range of pieces with their rich and complex harmonies.
“WAAPA has produced a myriad of innovative, world-class jazz composers and arrangers whose music is performed around the world,” says musical director Tom O’Halloran, himself a WAAPA graduate and now its Jazz Coordinator.
“In this COVID-19 world, being able to connect with our graduates to create this unique concert event has been a real joy. Their massive musical ideas will be performed by WAAPA’s jazz ensembles, including a combined big band and vocal choir. It’s going to be a really fabulous, entertaining and all-round-incredible evening of jazz!”
Come hear these brand new works, as well as the best of new jazz talent at either of the Grand Designs: Jazz and the World concerts on May 6 and 8.
Tickets are available from here.
