ESSAYS

This section includes essays on various jazz subjects, written by a number of writers. Contributions are welcome. Writers interested in contributing are welcome to contact the editor by filling out the form in the CONTACT tab. Photographs to illustrate those essays are welcome. Readers can click on the INDEX button for a list of articles in this folder.

MARK SIMMONDS: I WANT TO BE THE BEST

Interview with  Martin Jackson

Jazz Magazine, September/October, 1982

Sydney tenor saxophonist Mark Simmonds is one of the strongest talents in the new generation of Australian jazz players. A virtuoso instrumentalist, a strong composer, and leader of The Freeboppers, his background contains many of the characteristics unique to his generation: work in the rock field; formal study at an institute; membership of a musicians’ co-operative; and, study in the US as a recipient of a Music Board grant…

KEITH STIRLING: AN ENIGMA

by Eric Myers

Jazz Magazine, July/August, 1983

For some time Keith Stirling has been an enigma in Australian jazz. Over many years he was regarded as an outstanding musician — perhaps the leading trumpeter in the country at his best, comparable to the great Keith Hounslow. But somehow there was an aura of unfulfilled promise about him…

GRAEME BELL AT SEVENTY

by Bruce Johnson

Jazz Magazine, Winter/Spring, 1984

On the occasion of Graeme Emerson Bell’s 70th birthday, it is appropriate to remind ourselves of his great contribution to jazz. The list of his achievements is formidable: national and international tours, recordings, concerts, significant residencies, television series, radio broadcasts, a study tour of the US, and awards like the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 and the MBE in 1978...