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.

DICK HUGHES FAMOUS FIVE: AUTHENTIC MELANCHOLY OF BLUES

by Eric Myers

Sydney Morning Herald, July 5, 1980

What group, other than the Dick Hughes Famous Five, can boast the inclusion of two of the great characters in Australian jazz? The pianist Dick Hughes, 48, rarely plays anything that appears technically difficult. But, whether playing phrases in octaves, utilising little tremoloes and rippling Teddy Wilson-like lines, percussive riffs, or the occasional figures in contrary motion, his taste is impeccable, and he plays with a genuine jazz feeling, even if he sometimes plays very much up on the beat…

CHUCK YATES BACK WITH THE REAL THING

by Eric Myers

Sydney Morning Herald, July 7, 1980

The outstanding pianist Chuck Yates is rarely found working in the more commercial jazz venues, and for good reason. Yates has recently arrived back in Australia from a period in New York, where he studied with the pianists Barry Harris and Norman Simmons. The quality of his playing at the Tea Gardens Hotel, Bondi Junction, vindicates his fierce dedication to jazz, and his great knowledge of the art of modern jazz piano...

KIRK L’ORANGE GROUP: BASEMENT ROCKS COUNTRY

by Eric Myers

Sydney Morning Herald, July 10, 1980

In what other Australian city can you go to a leading jazz club, expecting to hear a jazz group, and end up hearing an excellent country/ rock band, featuring one of Australia's most distinguished singer/songwriters? I last heard Doug Ashdown on the occasion of the Australia Day concert in 1979 at the Sydney Town Hall. Then, backed by the Southern Star Band and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Patrick Thomas, he performed a lovely set of his own compositions…