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.
Stevie Wonder
STEVIE WONDER: STILL AT THE TOP
by Eric Myers
Sydney Morning Herald, April 25, 1981
I doubt if there have been many concerts in Sydney as incredible as that given by American Stevie Wonder on Thursday night. In a marvellous evening of black music, full of joy and feeling, Wonder, 30, sang his heart out for just on three hours, despite feeling unwell. When he finally made his exit at 12.40 am, he left 5,000 people stunned. The performance was divided into early hits, power ballads, solo spots from the four female background vocalists, and most of his great funk hits, interspersed with tunes from the album Hotter Than July…
Maree Montgomery
MAREE MONTGOMERY & SERGE ERMOLL QUARTET
by Eric Myers
Sydney Morning Herald, May 2, 1981
At present jazz activity in Sydney is extremely volatile, with new venues emerging to capitalise on the strong local interest in the music. Such a new venue is Gray's Inn, part of the Tower Square complex, North Sydney, where the vocalist Maree Montgomery and the Serge Ermoll Quartet perform on Wednesday and Friday nights. Last Wednesday evening they showed themselves to be an unusually warm band, taking a loose, flexible approach to jazz standards. Some might consider their music rough around the edges; others will welcome the spontaneity involved, where anything might happen…
Pan Am Regional Managing Director, South Pacific, John P McGhee
JAZZ IN SYDNEY
by Eric Myers
JAMM Magazine, May, 1981
The most remarkable event in Sydney jazz for some time has been the re-emergence of the John Hoffman Big Band, which is now playing Monday nights at Gas Lane throughout April and May. Hoffman is an American trumpeter who has lived and worked in Sydney since 1977. In the United States, he worked with top American bands from 1971, including the Glenn Miller Orchestra under the leadership of clarinetist Buddy DeFranco. He toured Australia in 1974 with the Buddy Rich Big Band and played with Woody Herman from 1975 to 1977…