#bob bertles

[qupritsuvwix]

Australian Jazz Musician Bob Bertles Dies Aged 85 - Noise11.com

Australian jazz alto, tenor and baritone saxophonist and bandleader Bob Bertles has passed away at the age of 85.

[onejazztrackaday]

Ten Part Invention – And Zen Monk

Ten Part Invention is an Australian jazz ensemble. Formed by drummer John Pochee in 1986, it was a line up of Australian jazz royalty. The band is still around today, over thirty years later, but sadly three of the original line up are no longer with us.

And Zen Monk is the first track on their self titled album from 1990. It was nominated for an ARIA award for Best Jazz Album. It was recorded in 1987 in an ABC radio studio. From the original liner notes:

One day in November 1987 Ten Part Invention gathered in an ABC Studio in Sydney to record a program for “Its All Music”, hosted by Julian Lee. It was not a session where the music would be grafted together through re-recording and overdubs; instead, the band went straight ahead, live to tape, and laid down the first eight works in the band book – all first takes. It is a measure of the brilliance of this group, not only that this was possible, but that it was done so well.

On this album:

John Pochee – Drums (leader)

Bernie McGann* – Alto Saxophone

Bob Bertles – Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Flute

Steve Elphick – Double Bass

Miroslav Bukovsky – Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Warwick Alder – Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Dale Barlow – Flute, Tenor Saxophone

Ken James* – Flute, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone

Roger Frampton* – Piano

James Greening – Trombone

All of these musicians have had a massive influence on the Australian jazz scene.

The opening riff to And Zen Monk has stuck with me since I first bought the album. It was composed by the great Australian jazz pianist Roger Frampton. Frampton’s ingenious composing skills were crucial to the viability of the inception of the group. 

In 1999 Frampton was awarded a Doctorate of Creative Arts from Wollongong University for his thesis exploring co-relations between his composition and improvisation.

Despite diagnosis with a brain tumour in 1999, Frampton continued to perform with various ensembles. He participated in the 1999 Wangaratta Festival of Jazz, performing a concert of his own music with Ten Part Invention. He died at home in January 2000. 

Other members of the group to have died in recent years are both saxophonists. Ken James, and Bernie McGann (who always has a special place In my memory, being the first live jazz act I saw, in the early eighties).

– Bozzie 🎷