West End Composers Collective and Abbreviations Orchestra

Experience the World Premiere of new works by Queensland’s leading young Jazz composers performed by Brisbane’s finest jazz artists featured in the West End Composers Collective and the Abbreviations Orchestra.

The West End Composers Collective, founded by trumpeter/composer Laura Kahle and pianist/arranger Steve Newcomb, began in 2003 as a monthly gathering of Brisbane’s creative improvising musicians, composers and arrangers to workshop original material. Utilising the unique skills of the 10 members, Laura Kahle and Rafael Karlen premiere new works brimming with rich harmonic textures and stunning melodic inventions. 

The Abbreviations Orchestra features the compositions and arrangements of Andrew Garton. The band brings an orchestral conception to small group jazz, with wild harmonies, intricate counterpoints and thrilling improvisations. Quirky, abstract, atonal, melodic, pensive and raucous. The Abbreviations Orchestra is bound to keep the most inquisitive musical minds fully stimulated and delight the most casual of jazz fans!

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.

Proudly sponsored by Boyds