Crossing Roper Bar
image by Stephen Barnett
On the 8th September the AAO completed a three week cross-cultural musical journey through some of Australia's most remote and stunning settings including the communities of Katherine, Kununurra, Warmun, Wangkatjungka, Broome, Djarindjin/Lombadina, Beagle Bay and One Arm Point. As well as concerts in Darwin and Perth
The Crossing Roper Bar tour featured Paul Grabowsky and the Australia Art Orchestra,
Wagilak Gujarra/Nyilapidgi musicians from Ngukurr, Arnhem Land
and special guest Ruby Hunter.
Here is what Dr. Aaron Corn, Research Fellow in Ethnomusicology and Australian Indigenous Studies at the University of Sydney, had to say about the opening night performance :
Crossing Roper Bar is nothing less than a collaborative and artistic triumph. Seldom do
Indigenous holders of a genuine musical tradition, and one that continues to be performed
at home in ceremonies, find ways to explore their talents with such dedicated fellow
artists, and share the beauty of their songs and dances with new audiences. This alone is
an achievement of which tour producer Tura New Music and its principal sponsor, Total
E&P Australia, can feel extremely proud. If only musicians who possess other Indigenous
traditions in Australia enjoyed similar opportunities.
Crossing Roper Bar is a work of rare integrity in Australia that sets an exciting new
benchmark for artistic dialogues with traditional Indigenous musicians. And in this one
vital regard, it is the collaboration to begin all collaborations. Review continues here
Read more reviews of the tour here and view pictures of the tour here.
Into the Fire in India 2008
The Australian Art Orchestra has just returned from a four city tour of India and the recording of a new CD in Chennai. The 2008 Into The Fire tour involved seven members of the AAO under the direction of Adrian Sherriff alongside four members of the Sruthi Laya Ensemble under the direction of Guru Karaikudi R. Mani.
28th of May: Hyderabad. Laitha Kala Thoranam
31st of May: Mysore. Sri Ganapthy Schchidananda Ashram
2nd of June: Bangalore. Alliance Francais de Bangalore
5th of June: Chennai. Narada Gana Sabha Auditorium
More information about INTO THE FIRE and music samples can be found here
The Hollow Air
The Hollow Air is a collaboration between the Australian Art Orchestra and Richard Nunns curated by Philip Slater featuring:
TRUMPET & LAPTOP Phillip Slater
GUITAR & ELECTRONICS Carl Dewhurst
PIANO & LAPTOP Alister Spence
PERCUSSION Vanessa Tomlinson
LAPTOP Greg White
TRADITIONAL MAORI INSTRUMENTS
(TAONGA PUORO) Richard Nunns
The Hollow Air premiered at The 2007 Auckland International Festival. You can view three short segments from the program below.
Bell Awards
Congratulations to Australian Art Orchestra members:
Julien Wilson - named Australian Jazz Artist of the Year
Eugene Ball - won Best Australian Jazz Composition for Fool Poet's Portion
Phil Slater's Quartet - named Best Australian Jazz Ensemble of the Year
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Grabowsky new Artistic Director of the 2010 Adelaide Festival
The Adelaide Festival Corporation has announced Paul Grabowsky as the Artistic Director for the 2010 Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts.
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