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.

IS THE PARTY OVER FOR RECORDED MUSIC?

by Ross A’hern

www.jazz.org.au, October 28, 2015

Is the party over for recorded music? Well, I guess that’s up to us. Can you imagine a world without music? No concerts, no gigs, no music to drive to, no movie themes, no love songs, not even any musical ring-tones? And therefore no musicians, of course. Such an existence is almost inconceivable because music is such an integral part of our daily lives. Yet while there are ample opportunities to enjoy live musical performances, the major source of music for most people, I would suggest, is through recordings in one form or another…

RECORDING JANN RUTHERFORD’S THE SCENTED GARDEN

by Dave Goodman

2003

In early 2003, Jann Rutherford, Roger Manins, Paul Cutlan, Craig Scott and I went into Sony Studios in East Sydney where Ross A’hern recorded what would be Jann’s final album, The Scented Garden. Jann was one of the best and most interesting jazz pianists and composers I’ve ever met. Being blind since birth, her ability is all that much more remarkable. At the time of this recording though, very ill from advanced cancer, Jann was unable to speak and was struggling to maintain physical strength, so we knew that everything on the album had to be the first take – warts and all. We recorded an album’s worth of Jann’s original material that day, knowing that this may be the last chance we had to play together…

CHILDREN OF FANTASY IN INDONESIA

by Eric Myers

Jazz Magazine, September/October, 1982

It is not unusual for brilliant jazz musicians to emerge at an early age. At 16 Stan Getz was already a virtuoso saxophonist and playing in a band with Jack Teagarden; our own Don Burrows was an outstanding player in his teens and celebrated his sixteenth birthday working at the Roosevelt Club in Sydney's King's Cross. Therefore, one has to be careful not to overestimate the talents of 16-year-old Indra Lesmana, the young Indonesian keyboards player and composer now living in Sydney. Still, since he came to Australia in 1979 Indra Lesmana has had his share of fulsome praise…