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 text of articles published in the newspaper up to Myers’s resignation in 1982. Photographs which may or may not have appeared in the newspaper have been added. From 1983 Myers was The Australian’s jazz critic until his resignation in 1987. His reviews for that newspaper also appear in this folder. Articles which appeared in other publications are also included, if they serve to document the performances of Australian jazz musicians. Headings which appeared in the newspapers were always written by sub-editors. The most excruciating of them have been modified, but mostly they are reproduced as they appeared in newspapers. Readers can click on the INDEX button for a list of reviews or articles in this folder.

PAUL FURNISS'S SAN FRANCISCO JAZZ BAND: TRIBUTE TO TRAD PIONEERS

by Eric Myers

Sydney Morning Herald, April 1, 1980

A quick look at the weekend "gig guides" reveals the extraordinary popularity of traditional jazz in Sydney today. As many as 20 such bands work regularly in various venues, which is a lasting tribute to musicians such as Dave Dallwitz and Graeme Bell, who pioneered this genre of music in Australia in the 1940s. Of course, these bands vary in their strength of commitment to the original spirit of twenties and thirties jazz, but there is one group whose commitment to the authentic spirit of that music is supremely pure and undiluted: Paul Furniss's San Francisco Jazz Band…

KEITH STIRLING QUINTET: STERLING SOUND

by Eric Myers

Sydney Morning Herald, April 4, 1980

When he was in Australia earlier this year, the New York saxophonist David Liebman described Keith Stirling's group as "the hottest band in the country." One can understand Liebman's enthusiasm. This quintet, just back from appearances in Adelaide and Melbourne, and now resident at Jenny's on Tuesday nights, plays music that perhaps comes closest in Australian jazz, to the kind of contemporary jazz being played in New York…

JUDY BAILEY & JOHN SANGSTER: MELODIES FROM A SUNSHINE CULTURE

by Eric Myers

Sydney Morning Herald, April 4, 1980

This concert, featuring two of the great names in Australian jazz, reinforced my view that our best jazz players are producing rich and original music. The program consisted largely of compositions by the vibraharpist John Sangster and the pianist Judy Bailey, played by Judy's quintet, consisting of Col Loughnan (saxophones and flute), Bernadine Morgan (vocals and percussion), Ron Philpott (electric bass) and Laurie Bennett (drums)…