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.
Tony Esterman
RICHARD OCHALSKI’S STRAIGHT AHEAD
by Eric Myers
Sydney Morning Herald, May 10, 1980
As I was unable to attend the first half of this concert, which featured the saxophone quartet Saxafari, this review will concentrate on the performance of Richard Ochalski's Straight Ahead. It was probably the last performance of this fine mainstream sextet for some time, as the bassist, Richard Ochalski, is shortly to leave for Europe for an extended period. At Wednesday night's concert, Straight Ahead, which included Keith Stirling (trumpet and flugelhorn), Bob Bertles (saxophone and flute), Ken Tait (trombone), Tony Esterman (piano) and Alan Turnbull (drums), featured music that had a slightly more modern flavour than the repertoire they presented at The Basement in February...
Phil Woods
PHIL WOODS AT THE BASEMENT: COMPLETE ALTO PLAYER
by Eric Myers
Sydney Morning Herald, May 13, 1980
The Phil Woods concert at The Basement on Sunday night was a burning exhibition of the specialist art of alto saxophone playing, by a great American jazz musician who is immersed in the heritage of that instrument. This performance strongly reinforced Woods's reputation as the most complete alto player in jazz. From the first number, Cole Porter's I Love You, the melodic beauty built into his virtuosic style was apparent…
Phil Woods
PHIL WOODS IN MIDDLE AGE: A NEW LIFE
Interview with Eric Myers
Sydney Morning Herald, May 17, 1980
Not many jazz musicians have had their home town set aside a special day in their honour. Yet this was the case on November 27, 1978, when Phil Woods Day was held in Springfield, Massachusetts. For 48-year-old Phil Woods —one of the great alto saxophone players in American jazz — it was a dubious distinction. "What a disaster it was," said Woods this week, after recalling that he had been given the keys to the city by the Mayor of Springfield…