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.

LINDA MAY HAN OH, THE DOUBLE BASS, AND ME

by Ian Muldoon

August 19, 2018

It was around 1990 that Lloyd Swanton’s double bass playing got me, a confirmed atheist, going back to “church”. The recital was at a little Chapel, of sandstone and beauty, on the grounds of Sydney University organised by the indomitable Peter Rechniewski whose name was enough to get me to part with some of my hard earned cash in a performance by a band I’d never heard of called The Necks…

MY MUSIC NOTATION STORY

by Maree Steinway

August, 2018

With the passing of great musicians and friends such as Errol Buddle, Janet Seidel and Winston Sterling all in the space of one year, I am feeling such grief but also such gratitude that we all shared so many years together, and I had the privilege of being their friend as well as music colleague. Personally it’s been a devastating loss of dear ones who actually understood what makes me tick. I have been reflecting on the beautiful musical moments, the fun and funny times and on how extremely fortunate that through the kindness and support of all my musician friends I have been able to work in the career I would have still chosen first, even if I had full eyesight and unlimited choice...

SIMA & THE STATE OF AUSTRALIAN JAZZ 2006

Peter Rechniewski interviewed by Peter Jordan

Jazz.org, February 5, 2006

As the Sydney Improvised Music Association begins its 2006 program, president and artistic director Peter Rechniewski spoke to Peter Jordan about SIMA’s achievements, plans for the future and the challenges faced by jazz in the new millennium...