The Carnatic Jazz Experiment & Ten Part Invention

The Valley Jazz Festival’s final concert for 2009 features an explosion of dynamic energy and thrilling improvisations by Ten Part Invention plus the World Premiere of Queensland composer Toby Wren delivered by the enigmatic Carnatic Jazz Experiment.

The Carnatic Jazz Experiment is a unique fusion of two of the world’s most vibrant improvising musical cultures. Led by jazz guitarist and composer Toby Wren, the group places the lush harmonies and the drive and swing of jazz alongside the delicate beauty of raga presentation and ornamentation with outrageous rhythmic outbursts from two of Brisbane’s leading Carnatic percussionists, Eshwarshanker J (mridangam) and Tunji Beier (ghatam, kanjira and tavil). The premiere of Toby’s new work will also feature the skills of Andrew Shaw (double bass) and John Rodgers (violin).

Australia’s most innovative and exciting contemporary jazz ensemble, Ten Part Invention was created by drummer John Pochée to be a flexible medium for Australian jazz composers and improvisers. Every member is a brilliant, highly individual soloist in both mainstream and contemporary Australian jazz, yet they play together without suppressing individual personalities. Since 1986, Ten Part Invention has played exclusively the works of Australian composers. With two trumpets, one trombone and four saxophones, plus a high-energy rhythm section - Ten Part Invention can deliver a terrific punch, but the instrumentation encourages writers away from more conventional big band patterns.

Jazz Queensland gratefully acknowledges financial support from the Queensland Government under the Q150 Community Funding Program for the World Premiere of compositions commissioned for the 2009 Valley Jazz Festival from Queensland Jazz composers Laura Kahle, Rafael Karlen, Andrew Garton and Toby Wren.

"The Rolls Royce of Australian Jazz" Sydney Morning Herald (on Ten Part Invention)

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