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.

DAVID BAKER: ELOQUENT DUDE

by Eric Myers

Sydney Morning Herald, July 12, 1980

“It was the most exciting and dynamic endeavour I've ever been associated with," said the American David N Baker. "Unqualifiedly, it was just a blockbuster, man." Professor Baker, chairman of the Jazz Studies Department at Indiana University, had just conducted at The Entrance a four-day seminar on jazz education attended by NSW high school teachers, jazz teachers from the State Conservatorium of Music with representatives of the Department of Education and the Music Board of the Australia Council…

DAVID FRIESEN & JOHN STOWELL: EXQUISITE MOOD CREATED

by Eric Myers

Sydney Morning Herald, July 15, 1980

Sydney has rarely heard such enchanting original music as that provided by these two brilliant musicians from Portland, Oregon. The virtuoso bassist David Friesen was last here for appearances at the Festival of Sydney in 1979, when he played with the pianist Mike Nock and the saxophonist Chico Freeman. This time, he is appearing with 29-year-old John Stowell, who plays six and 12-string guitar, electric mandolin, African thumb-piano, and various percussion instruments…

KEN BENNETT TRIO: RICH, EXTROVERTED JAZZ

by Eric Myers

Sydney Morning Herald, July 17, 1980

There is no doubt that there is an extraordinary amount of jazz talent in Sydney, not only visible in the jazz world, but also, to some extent, underground in the variety of areas where some of our best professional musicians are employed. Ken Bennett, elder brother of the well-established jazz drummer Laurie Bennett, has tended to be associated with the more commercial aspects of professional music over recent years. He has appeared in various guises: registered club pianist, television orchestra bandleader (the Bob Rogers Show), musical arranger, studio musical director, and variety performer…