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.
Joe “Bebop“ Lane
THE WILD MEN ARE BACK IN TUNE
by Eric Myers
Magazine, May 26, 1983
I think it was the writer John Clare who, some years ago, coined the phrase "the wild men of Sydney jazz". It was an apt description for the more exploratory, avant-garde jazz musicians in Sydney involved in pushing the parameters of the art form rather than just the presentation of safe, commercial jazz. With some 70 jazz venues in Sydney and about 180 separate jazz performances every week, no-one can deny that there has been a jazz explosion here. But that growth in jazz has not been good to the so-called "wild men"…
Judy Bailey
MIXING IT AT THE SOUP
by Eric Myers
Magazine, June 9, 1983
To say that she is the leading woman performer in Australian jazz is something of a truism; she has been at the top for so long (over 20 years) that no-one seriously denies her pre-eminence. There are now a great number of women instrumentalists emerging, and the once rampant male chauvinism in jazz is dissipating. But when Judy Bailey arrived in Australia from New Zealand in 1960 — she was on her way to London — a woman jazz musician was a curiosity. Still, Judy felt at ease. "As far as male chauvinism is concerned, I can't honestly say that I've had to come up against anything that has given me any sleepless nights"…
Out To Lunch
OUT TO LUNCH IN AT JENNY’S
by Eric Myers
Magazine, June 9, 1983
Out To Lunch, back at Jenny's Wine Bar for performances every Tuesday in June, is a contemporary jazz trio originally formed in 1975. Until it disbanded in 1979, Out To Lunch performed to enthusiastic audiences and critical acclaim at places like the Basement, the "Music Is An Open Sky" festivals, and concerts throughout Australia…