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.
Don Burrows & Conservatorium Big Band
DON BURROWS: RUTHLESS BUT FAIR
by Eric Myers
Sydney Morning Herald, December 19, 1981
Australia's best-known jazz musician Don Burrows, is completing his second year as the first full-time chairman of the jazz studies department at the NSW State Conservatorium of Music. Last week, out of a total of 13 candidates, nine students were awarded the jazz diploma for the two-year course. Who are the students who have been in those classrooms over the past two years? What sort of people are attracted to the course?
Natalie Cole
NATALIE COLE: SOUL AND SEXUALITY
by Eric Myers
Sydney Morning Herald, December 16, 1981
When I arrived home from the Natalie Cole concert on Monday night, my next door neighbour Len was as usual waiting for me on his front balcony. "I guess you had a good night," he said. "Those black performers really put on a great music show." I was somewhat appalled at the hint of racism in Len's comments. "Admittedly, Natalie Cole is an African American performer, Len," I replied, “but I don't think you should look at it on that level”...
Bernie McGann
BATTLE OF THE SAXES: AUSSIES IN SOLID FORM
by Eric Myers
Sydney Morning Herald, December 23, 1981
December 21, 1981, will be remembered as the night when four brilliant Australian saxophonists took on two American virtuosos, and chased them all the way to the line. Richie Cole and Sonny Stitt may have broken the tape first, but most of the interest of the evening lay in the music produced by the Australians…