Saxophonist Julien Wilson. Image courtesy of Brisbane International Jazz Festival.
Musicians from across the globe are gathering in Brisbane for the second annual Brisbane International Jazz Festival, a four day celebration of all things jazz.
Melbourne based Saxophonist Julien Wilson, who last week celebrated three stellar wins at the Bell Jazz Awards, including Best Australian Jazz Song of the Year is one of the artists to feature in an extensive and varied program.
Wilson said that he was most excited about the opportunity to collaborate with other artists at the four day festival, to be held at a number of popular venues across Brisbane.
‘It’s exciting for me to play with these guys, because they are all musicians that I have loved and respected for so long,’ he said.
With a tight-knit Brisbane jazz scene at his fingertips, Wilson is looking forward to a strong sense of comradery which he hopes will carry over into the programming schedule. ‘It’s a small community – everyone knows and supports each other.’
‘There are a lot of international acts, there are a lot of interstate acts, and I’m sure that there’s a lot of local acts too. As is often the case, because I’m trying to squeeze in as many concerts within the same space to make all this possible, we’re sort of flying in and out.’
Wilson said that a short but punchy program would be effective in engaging audiences interested in attending, with everything from headline international acts, to local emerging artists to free events, workshops and jam sessions.
‘The festivals which I like, which I think that Brisbane will be in this category, are the ones with things on close together so you get a sense of community about the actual festival, rather than other festivals that I have been too where they have only one or two things on per day,’ he said.
Joining Wilson in his headline performance of the Julien Wilson Quartet on Friday 6 June at the Queensland Multicultural centre is double bassist Jonathan Zwartz, drummer Allan Browne and acclaimed Australian pianist Barney McAll, who will travel from his New York base to play at the festival.
‘I’m really excited about getting to play with these guys. We recorded in January a year and a half ago and launched the album at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival in November, and so this will be our second lot of gigs together and we will do another recording while Barney is over here.’
‘His [McAll’s] solo show, which I saw last year is really moving and beautiful – he is one of those individuals who just pours his soul into every individual nuance and note,’ said Wilson.
‘He can have a huge emotional impact with not playing much, not giving much information, he just channels this kind of spirit. He gives everything to the music when he plays and that’s what makes him so special. It’s going to be a treat for me. I just hope lots of people come to hear it.’
Australian jazz pianist and composer Mike Nock, who spent 25 years abroad in the USA and most recently took out Australia’s highest Australian jazz honours with the 2014 Don Banks Award, will present tracks from his fifth studio album in a headline a program of local artists.
‘I’m looking forward to having a change to play in Brisbane again, and I’m quite excited to present my trio, which I haven’t done for a long time,’ said Nock.
Alongside his ticketed performance, Nock present Mike Nock’s Big Small Band within a series of free concerts from Friday 6 June through to Sunday 8 June at the Queen Street Mall.
Joining Nock will also be Julian Arguelles, the Leigh Carriage Quartet the Paula Girvan Quartet and a host of emerging and established local jazz talent.
Wilson said that Nock was a must-see artist and hoped to get along to at least one of his shows. ‘Mike is fantastic, I’m a little bit biased because I have worked with him before and he has been really supportive of me, but that what Mike is like.’
‘He is such a generous spirit, and Mike is another one that just gives everything to the music. It’s all about the music. It doesn’t matter with Mike if he plays solo, duo or with a big band, you get that essence and spirit.’
Above everything, Wilson said that the music has always been his greatest motivator as an artist and hopes that the Brisbane International Jazz Festival can capture some of this energy.
‘I just need to do it, which I think is the only reason that you should be a musician, if you have to do it,’ he said.
‘It’s not just about grand standing. It’s not the grand prix or a horse race. It’s not hardest, fastest or loudest – it’s just about the music, connecting with the instrument, connecting with the other members in the bandstand, and hopefully through that connecting with the audience.’
The 2nd Brisbane International Jazz Festival presented by Jazz Queensland will be held at venues across Brisbane from 4 to 8 June, 2014.
For more information, including the full program visit the Brisbane International Jazz Festival website.
