1. Growing Up

Musically, I grew up in a brass band and my first musical mentor was my band leader and teacher, Frank Sims. My parents sacrificed a lot in terms of time and money to ensure I had weekly lessons with Mr. Sims and also piano and theory lessons with Ms. Bluett and that my sisters studied piano and singing. The band environment was strict and committed. We did lots of fundraiser gigs to fund touring locally interstate and internationally. On a European tour band the performed at the Albert Hall when I was 13. It’s all a bit like the movie Brassed Off,I suppose.

My dad played violin and piano pretty badly but he loved it. He also taught himself how to make violins.My childhood experiences of music have made me appreciate the value of music education – kids have no barriers and when they hear jazz they don’t have preconceptions. They are just open to it and get engaged and love it – especially when I do Musica Viva In School concerts and we get them up to improvise with us.

2. Inspirations

Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Don Cherry are a few international heroes. Closer to home, Miroslav Bukovsky (also a member of Ten Part Invention) introduced me to a whole new world of music, food and the Sydney music scene in the vibrant 1980s when there was a four-page spread of gigs happening. Jackie Orzacsky was also a mentor and friend. I played in most of his bands over 30 years. He was groundbreaking, innovative and a funk maestro. John Pochee, founder of Ten Part Invention, has been truly inspiring with his endless energy individuality and humour. It takes a lot of perseverance to be a bandleader. Especially such a large ensemble. It’s like herding cats and he is a true original as a jazz drummer. Sandy Evans too is an inspiration, her composing, large performance pieces such as ‘Testimony’ (a tribute to Charlie Parker) and her personal tenacity and generosity in supporting young women in jazz is extraordinary.

3. The Band

Ten Part Invention was founded by John Pochée to be a flexible medium for improvising and jazz composers to perform original Australian compositions. It has constantly evolved over the years and become inter-generational under John’s guidance and with his perseverance. 20 years plus is staying power in jazz and a large ensemble is hard for small venues but he’s taken us to China and the States. All the members have their own projects – I have my own quartet, The World According to James, and a septet, Greening from Ear to Ear.

4. The Music You Make

Ten Part Invention has an amazing repertoire of original compositions by leading jazz improvisers, including the late Roger Frampton who was nothing short of a genius, also Miroslav Bukovsky and Sandy Evans have made extraordinary contributions and this time we are going to perform a new piece by Paul Cutlan. The evening promises to be a wild ride for lovers of jazz.

5. Music, Right Here, Right Now

I’ve got a feeling every generation says this, but it’s probably the hardest it’s ever been for musicians. It’s very difficult to survive on gigs alone. It will take a while for the impact of the change in the POPE laws to filter through. I believe encouraging young people to enjoy live music is paramount to having a vibrant city. So many people are committed to this happening behind the scenes and I really have nothing but appreciation for all the people who are passionate about live music.

Ten Part Invention play Foundry616 on Saturday March 16. Tickets are on sale now.

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