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.
Michael Kenny
SUPERMARKET: BLACK IDIOM GOOD FOR SYDNEY SOUL
by Eric Myers
The Australian, February 14, 1985
With the return of the 14-piece band Supermarket for another season, something is now happening at The Basement which is only dimly appreciated in the jazz world. It is oversimple to say, as people do, that The Basement has forsaken jazz for rock music. That is an inadequate view. In Supermarket, The Basement is presenting probably the most sophisticated and cultured exploration of black American music by a local band that we have yet seen in Sydney. In my view, it is an important development…
The Benders at the Narara Music Festival in 1983
THE BENDERS AT THEIR BRILLIANT BEST
by Eric Myers
The Australian, March 20, 1985
On Monday night for the first time the outstanding Sydney quartet The Benders played at The Basement. It was an impressive performance of mostly original compositions, suggesting that when The Benders perform this year at the prestigious Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals, they will bring great credit to Australian jazz…
Dick Hughes
DICK HUGHES SETS THE JOINT A JUMPIN’
by Eric Myers
The Australian, April 4, 1985
The performance of the quintet led by pianist Dick Hughes at the Don Burrows Supper Club on Tuesday night proved once again that evenings with particular themes have great drawing power. Their tributes to Fats Waller and Billie Holiday attracted a packed house. As well as Hughes (piano and vocals) the quintet included Barbara Canham (vocals), Johnny McCarthy (clarinet and tenor saxophone), Mal Rees (electric bass) and Barry Canham (drums). Obviously primed for this performance, Dick Hughes was in top form…