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.

MIKE HALLAM HOT SIX: FRESH FROM THE TWENTIES

by Eric Myers

Sydney Morning Herald, July 19, 1980

Musical fads and fashions may come and go, but traditional jazz seems immortal. It has been argued that the major achievements of this classic genre of jazz, played in New Orleans and Chicago during the 1920s, were well and truly over by 1930. Yet, contemporary bands can still play in that idiom, and make the music sound fresh. One such band is the Mike Hallam Hot Six…

JENNY SHEARD TRIO SHOULD BE HEARD

by Eric Myers

Sydney Morning Herald, July 22, 1980

Whitney Balliett, jazz critic of the New Yorker, once described the supper club as "that royal relative of the night club" -  an elegant room where one can go for a late drink, preferably after midnight, and hear sophisticated jazz. All great cities include a supper club amongst its jazz rooms, and Sydney now has a good one in the form of The St James, on Friday and Saturday nights…

LAURIE BENNETT QUARTET: AN OBJECT LESSON FOR NEW GROUPS

by Eric Myers

Sydney Morning Herald, July 26, 1980

On Wednesday nights, Soup Plus features beautifully played mainstream jazz, enlivened here and there by hints of musical absurdity. The Laurie Bennett Quartet features the leader on drums, Peter Cross (flugelhorn), Tony Esterman (upright piano), and Jack Thorncraft (acoustic bass). Last Wednesday night, their program was devoted to jazz standards, including some which might now be considered hackneyed, such as Don't Get Around Much Anymore, My Funny Valentine, Misty, Summertime and The Girl From Ipanema. But these fine players were able to make even those old workhorses sound fresh…