Tag Archives: Canberra music

Fascinating Rhythm at Melba Fete!

Spent a great day yesterday with some muso friends who were performing at a local fete. Rhythm Syndicate is an auditioned Canberra based vocal group who sing four part harmony, with accompaniment by Canberra composer, songwriter and pianist Mike Dooley, and harmonicist and flautist, Paul Herbert.

Rhythm Syndicate with conductor and musical director, Camilo Gonzalez

Revitalising their jazz roots, the program included many toe-tapping jazz standards such as Miss New Orleans, Java Jive, Fascinating Rhythm, and other classics from Cole Porter, and Gershwin – a great afternoon of cool musical entertainment.

Composer, songwriter, and pianist Mike Dooley

If you’re a jazz lover don’t miss their upcoming performances over the next couple of months.

5 December: Griffith Baptist Care Concert 11am

9 December: Queanbeyan Carols in the Park (55 Collett St) 7pm

10 December: Canberra High Court 1.30pm

10 December: National Portrait Gallery 3.30pm

17 December: Lerida Winery 12.30pm

You can also catch awesome pianist Mike Dooley, with singer Rachel Thorne, performing as In 2 Deep at Jazz in the House, University House, ANU on Friday 27 October at 8pm. Bookings essential through Uni House at events.unihouse@anu.edu.au or call them on 6125 5270.

Mike Dooley (keyboard) and singer Rachel Thorne – In 2 Deep

Beating the Drum for Fashion

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If fashion doesn’t make you want to roll out of bed every morning, but music does, then think about immersing yourself in the FASHFEST experience this long weekend. More than 20 musicians and DJs bring their own sense of style to the stage, expressing and magnifying the garments designers have worked so hard to create. FASHFEST 2017 presents a top line-up with many highlights across many genres, including pop, hip hop, house, soul and more.

Tony Rich – The Tony Rich Project

Let’s start with mega start The Tony Rich Project. Remember the hit single Nobody Knows? Well it’s that Tony Rich. Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, musician Tony Rich will hit the stage on Friday September 29, show 2, 9pm. Tony, born in Detroit, now calls Canberra home. He’s released six albums, authored hits for artists like Elton John and Michael Bolton, and toured with Prince, Sting, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Sheryl Crow and others. Tony bolted out of the gates, winning a Grammy for his debut album Words. His forthcoming album project, mixed here in Canberra, will be released at the end of October.

Raio De Sol – photo by Adam Thomas

Ashley Feraude, FASHFEST’s Music Director, says another first for FASHFEST is Raio de Sol, a percussion ensemble that will play on closing night. “The band first rehearsed on a re-purposed drum kit cobbled together from pots, pans and other bits and pieces uncovered at the tip,’ says Ashley. ‘They’re an amazing community samba drumming band.”

Soulitude – photo by Art Artelier

Also making a debut appearance is Canberra’s premier four-piece live soul, R&B and urban groove band, Soulitude, whose vocalists and musicians have performed with the likes Deltra Goodman.

Female musos are strong again this year. Happy Axe (AKA Emma Kelly) is making a debut appearance. Since graduating with a Bachelor of Music (Hons) from the ANU, Emma has performed at major festivals like Woodford. She uses violin, musical saw and vocals to create beautiful sounds. At FASHFEST, she’ll play violin alongside DJ Hamish Lardi (no stranger to FASHFEST fans).

FASHFEST 2016 – photo by wearefoundau

Other new acts include DJ Andrea Corazzon, known for mixing smooth house music and nu-disco. Amy Ferreira will be on stage incorporating old classic house with disco. Seasoned and award-winning DJ Sandman will be on deck to ramp things up.

Favourites return, including the lively Kirklandd, who is on a roll after his debut performance at FASHFEST last year. He’ll perform his upcoming single, Faded, live at the event. And Ashley himself will play, under his alias Magnifik Feat NeonHoney. Ashley has produced two albums and recently received Best House Producer at the Music ACT Music Awards.

FASHFEST 2016 – photo by Doug Hall Studio Vitae

Click here to see the full music line up for FASHFEST 2017. FASHFEST is only a few sleeps away. Tickets, starting from $49, are on sale now. FASHFEST will be held at the National Convention Centre Canberra from 28 to 30 September (two shows per night), with lively after parties at QT Canberra.

FASHFEST Music Director – Ashley Feraude

Local Composer has World Premiere in Canberra!

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Have you heard of Michael Dooley? Well you’re about to … Michael Dooley is a Canberra composer and pianist, and can usually be found with jazz duo In2Deep or conducting local choral group Rhythm Syndicate. But, on Saturday 20 May Michael will be the focus of Canberra when his Piano Concerto No.1 has its world premiere!

Michael Dooley – image courtesy City News

Sydney-based pianist Andrew Rumsey returns to Canberra with a collection of esteemed colleagues for an evening of unforgettable music. Joining him will be Mia Stanton (violin), James Larsen (cello), Tom Azoury (clarinet), Laura van Rijn (flute) and Matt Withers (guitar). Pieces will include works by Rachmaninov, Debussy, Williams, Kovacs, Piazzolla, Edwards, Clarke, Dooley and more. This concert will be Rumsey’s final engagement in the ACT before he begins his USA tour, starting with an appearance at Carnegie Hall on 3 June 2017.

Michael Dooley and Rachel Thorne – In2Deep

“I am delighted to be giving the world premiere performance of Michael Dooley’s Piano Concerto No.1,” says Andrew. “Michael has such a fresh and unique compositional style and I’m so excited to be sharing this amazing work with Canberra. It has all the right ingredients; lyricism, tenderness, subtlety, virtuosity, and power. Definitely a captivating piece to listen to, and perform!”.

Rumsey & Friends New Directions will premiere on Saturday 20 May at 7pm at the Wesley Music Centre, Forrest. Tickets available from Eventbrite.

Pianist and composer Mike Dooley – image by LFW

You can also hear more of Michael Dooley on Sunday 21 May when ART Song Canberra presents The Voice of Heroic Love with well-known Canberra soprano Louise Page, Rachel Best Allen on clarinet, and Phillipa Candy on piano.

This work will also include a new song cycle composition by Michael Dooley.

The Voice of Heroic Love, Wesley Music Centre, Forrest, Sunday 21 May at 3pm. Tickets at the door from $15 (students), Art Song Members $25, Concessions $30, Full price $35. Tickets include program and light refreshments. For more information contact Art Song Canberra on 6286 7373.

You can follow Mike Dooley on his Facebook page.

Apples with Rhythm

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LFW took a drive out to the country on the weekend, and joined the sunshine, crowds, apples, and music at Loriendale Orchard Apple Day on Saturday 1 April.

Image: Apple and Pear Australia Limited

Loriendale is a boutique orchard with over 120 varieties of apples, as well as selection of nectarines, peaches, nashi pears, berries and nuts. The orchard runs organic best practice, which means that the fruit actually tastes like the fruit you may remember from your childhood, before all the GM, gassing, spraying, and cold storage. Apple pies, toffee apples, jams, jellies, chutneys, sauces and relishes were also on offer, together with amazing apple based afternoon teas for just a few dollars. Loriendale peach jam

The farm was purchased by the Pidgeon family in 1982 but it wasn’t until around 1997 that the apple and cherry trees were planted, and the orchard was established. The farm is also a WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) hosting farm; providing the opportunity for young people, from around the world, to live and work on the farm and learn about agriculture, farming, and a bit of Australian culture.

Rhythm Syndicate with Paul Herbert on flute

But, one of the best things about the Apple Day was sitting in the sun with our afternoon tea, and listening to some cool jazz from local group Rhythm Syndicate. This great vocal group has been performing in Canberra and the region since 1990, and offers a mix of cool jazz, gospel, classics, and popular.

Accompanist and composer Mike Dooley

The mixed group sings in four-part harmony, accompanied and a cappella, and includes talented muso and vocalist Paul Herbert on harmonica and flute, brilliant pianist and composer Mike Dooley, and is pulled together by director and conductor Camilo Gonzalez. You can hear them next at the Merimbula Jazz Festival over the June long weekend.

Rhythm Syndicate with conductor Camilo Gonzalez

Loriendale Orchard, Carrington Road, Hall www.loriendale.com.au. You can also find Loriendale at Capital Region Farmers Market every Saturday from 7.30 – 11,30am.

Rhythm Syndicate www.rhythmsyndicate.com.au.

Images by LFW except where indicated

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