Eric Myers Jazz

ERIC MYERS REVIEWS 1980-87

Eric Myers was the Sydney Morning Herald’s inaugural jazz critic, his first review appearing on February 2, 1980. This folder contains reviews and articles written by Myers up to his resignation in 1982. Text published in the newspaper is reproduced here, with the addition of photographs which may or may not have appeared in the newspaper. In 1983 Myers moved to The Australian, where he was that paper’s jazz critic, until he resigned towards the end of 1987.  His reviews for that newspaper appear also in this folder. Articles which appeared in other publications are included here, if they serve to document the performances of Australian jazz musicians. Readers can click on the INDEX button for a list of reviews or articles in this folder.

WIZARDS OF OZ: DALE BARLOW’S BRAINCHILD

by Eric Myers

The Australian, March 25, 1987

This excellent performance may be remembered primarily for the brilliance of the Melbourne pianist Paul Grabowsky. He stood out forcefully on an evening that featured, other than himself, three of Australia’s finest contemporary jazz musicians. The quartet Wizards of Oz is the brainchild of the Sydney saxophonist Dale Barlow who, on returning to Australia after four years in the competitive jazz worlds of Europe and the US, wanted to form a quartet that could reflect the very best of Australian modern jazz. On the evidence of this performance, this ideal has largely been achieved…

JAMES MORRISON’S UNIQUE MAGIC AND ABILITY

by Eric Myers

The Australian, April 23, 1987

This was the first of five special “farewell” performances at the Supper Club by multi-instrumentalist James Morrison, who leaves for New York next week. Even now, it appears that Morrison will have an impact in the United States. He already has a string of engagements with several leading American players, and in August goes into New York’s Village Vanguard with the legendary trumpeter Red Rodney…

TRUDE ASPELING: RICHES AND RISKS IN AN UNUSUAL REPERTOIRE

by Eric Myers

The Australian, June 1, 1987

When the singer Trude Aspeling went to London last year to appear at Ronnie Scott’s club, and later appeared at the 1987 Festival of Perth, many jazz fans marvelled at her ability to land the plum jobs. What qualities had prompted programmers to choose her over other applicants for these prestigious events? This performance at Gossips, a bustling little cabaret venue at Neutral Bay, gave some clues to Aspeling’s extraordinary appeal…