Eric Myers Jazz

jOHN Pochée BIOGRAPHY

This folder contains reviews and articles pertaining to Eric Myers’s biography of the late Australian drummer/bandleader John Pochée, who died in November, 2022, Readers can click on the INDEX button for a list of reviews or articles in this folder.

IT'S A FARAWAY GIG FOR OUR HARDEST BLOWERS

by Barry Morris

Daily Telegraph (undated) shortly before the Last Straw’s trip to Montreal, 1990

The Last Straw's leader and drummer was his usual, laconic self, talking about the internationally acclaimed group's forthcoming trip to Canada. "It's a helluva long way to go for one gig — it sure beats going to Gosford," he commented drily over the phone. But John Pochée IS excited about the outing to the Montreal Jazz Festival, one of the world's biggest, with 800 musicians from 15 countries attended by 300,000 fans. "We'll have the main spot — 10.30 to midnight — in the L'Amphitheatre Bell, a unique setting that seats 4,000," he said…

THE LAST STRAW: HARD-BOP HAMMERED OUT WITH FEELING

by Eric Myers

The Australian, November 26, 1985

Occasionally one of the really great bands in Australian jazz re-emerges to perform in an unusual venue, and this is certainly the case with The Last Straw's new engagement at the Lansdowne Hotel, Broadway.  I use the term "great band" deliberately. The Last Straw plays the sort of full-on modern jazz which is truly exceptional. Only a handful of red-blooded jazz musicians around Australia could match them for passion and commitment…

WIDER OFFERING IN SECOND GOLD COAST FESTIVAL

by Neville Meyers

Brisbane Courier-Mail, Tuesday, May 22, 1990 

The second Gold Coast International Hotel Jazz and Blues Festival, to be held from June 30 to July 1, 1990, offers greater diversity than its predecessor. This year the festival has broadened its base, adding international performers including pianist/composer Nat Pierce, pianist Bobby Enriquez and singer Ernie Andrews. Gold Coast International general manager Gregory Cox said the American artists were part of "a five-year plan to not only maintain but broaden the range of activities in future festivals, to which the hotel remains strongly com-mitted".The Americans will share the stage with Vince Jones, Don Burrows, James Morrison, Monica and the Moochers, George GoIla, Bob Barnard, Ade Monsbourgh, Delilah, Su Cruickshank, Wilbur Wilde and other national talents…