Paradise – The Paul Grabowsky Sextet
I was reminded after last week’s Aussie Friday that one of Australia’s greatest current jazz musicians, Paul Grabowsky, calls Melbourne home. The Paul Grabowsky Sextet however is a transnational affair.
Paul surrounds himself with outstanding mature talent in the form of
Paul Grabowsky – piano – Melbourne
Jamie Oehlers – tenor saxophone – Perth
Andrew Robson – alto & soprano saxophones – Sydney
James, best eyebrows in the business, Greening – trombone – Sydney
Cameron Undy – double bass – Sydney
Simon Barker – drums – Sydney
Paul is a pioneering musician at the vanguard of Australian jazz. He has won 6 APRA awards (with 14 more nominations) and 7 ARIA awards (with 10 more nominations). Today’s track is from the album Bitter Suite for which he received his fifth Aria award (Best Jazz Album) in 2014. in the same year Grabowsky was awarded the Order of Australia (AO) for services to music as an educator, a mentor, composer, and pianist.
I realise that a lot of Grabowsky’s work is a bit more avant-garde than some people new to jazz might find enjoyable. For me though, one of the impressive things about this album, and Paradise in particular, is the inclusiveness of all band members. There is never that sense of anyone having to compete for attention. Each band member is a virtuoso in their own right, yet no one demands or commands the limelight.
The voicings of the trombone and saxophones in the main melody of Paradise are beautifully intertwined, as each of these outstanding musicians have such an empathy when playing together. James Greening’s (have I mentioned his eyebrows?) muted trombone opening and sculpted sliding notes take us back in time to a seedy bar somewhere in the 1920s, with a rollicking vaudeville rhythm. Then Grabowsky’s piano solo, with Undy and Barker backing him, gently brings us forward to the present in a delightful transportation to boozy modern jazz, like dancing in a dream.
I hope you find this track as much fun as I did.
– Bozzie 🎷
(I couldn’t resist a gratuitous shot of James Greening’s amazing eyebrows - yes, they’re real)