Space, light, buoyancy and flight

“The album Volant is a culmination of a long-standing curiosity of the beauty and intricacy of birds – in song and in movement.” reflects bandleader Matthew Ottignon.

After the global seismic shift of 2020, there was a hint of relief. I could meditate. I created music that was an echo of all the sounds that had resonated with me over the years. 

This curiosty of birds led the music to a calmness of pace and thrilling lightness.

In this new collaboration two of Australia’s finest musicians, Sandy Evans and Andrea Keller, are joined by exceptional vocalists Kristin Berardi and Jenny Barnes. Sandy and Andrea are distinguished for their profound music and roles as leaders within contemporary jazz. Kristin is a brilliant, internationally renowned Australian jazz singer currently based in Switzerland. Jenny is an extraordinary vocalist whose unique practice explores findings from her deep study of linguistics in improvisatory contexts.

Resonance is inspired by their shared experiences striving to be prolific, creative musicians while juggling multiple roles – caring for partners, children, aging parents and community. The suite aims to resonate with the challenges, demands, and glass ceilings faced by mid-career and elder women, especially within the male-dominated jazz scene, and a society that falls short of recognising and addressing these issues effectively.

This project will inspire meaningful conversations about gender, creativity, and the challenges faced by women in the arts.

Exploding out of the colourful, ever-changing Berlin scene, Skyline Sun — the musical moniker of Australian producer and guitarist Jarrah Dhyan — reinvigorates modern jazz with a cutting-edge vision on his latest full-length. Bringing together the essences of R&B, soul, hip-hop and dance music, while casting a critical eye upon our political and social landscape, Skyline Sun gene-splices traditional and experimental sounds even as he leaps headlong into the complexities of the current cultural landscape to offer a personal, captivating perspective.

Dichotomy is a musical journey that confronts the intricate web of deceit woven by those in power. Resonating with a sense of disillusionment it challenges people to question the narratives presented by mainstream media, governments, and corporations.

While remaining solidly anchored in the nu-jazz world, Skyline Sun expands his horizons, blending irresistible rhythms, soulful melodies, and a fresh stylistic voice uniquely his own. Listeners, dancers and musers alike: Behold, embrace and rejoice.

Blurring the lines between Persian chamber jazz and Middle Eastern jazz fusion, Eishan Ensemble’s sound defies easy categorization.

Eishan Ensemble, led by renowned Persian-Australian tar virtuoso and composer Hamed Sadeghi, is an ARIA-nominated group that fuses the contemporary and classical music traditions of both East and West.

Eishan Ensemble has released three celebrated albums to date, earning nominations for the APRA Art Music Awards and Sydney Fringe Festival Awards. Their debut album, Nim Dong (released on Art As Catharsis), serves as a musical canvas for Sadeghi’s childhood memories and stories. The follow-up, Afternoon Tea at Six (2020) was inspired by the likes of Rabih Abou-Khalil, Anouar Brahem, Kayhan Kalhor, and Ravi Shankar. Sadeghi expanded the ensembles sonic palette with daring compositions and lively instrumental interplay.

Their third album, Project Masnavi (2021), is inspired by the mystical poetry of Rumi’s Masnavi, a cornerstone of Persian literature.

Looking ahead, Eishan Ensemble is preparing to release their anticipated fourth album, Northern Rhapsody (2025). This project will explore the depth and beauty of the Australian landscape, as Sadeghi notes, “Through the universal language of music, I aim to highlight the human experience of navigating new landscapes, identities, and connections.”

Diego Pinera’s latest album Underground Roller Coaster is a rich, multi-layered masterpiece of a formidable band and a leader with his own unique style.

When Diego Piñera plays drums, a whole cosmos of rhythm opens up, we feel the pulse of South America, the dance of syncopation, the vibe of New York and Berlin. Piñera’s sense of time is characterised by the claves, the rhythmic elements of African origin that have had a lasting influence on Latin American music. He combines these almost archaic ingredients with a sense of relish and quirky beats, creating a peculiar drive that everyone has to join in with.

“Odd Wisdom” is Pinera’s first permanent band. Since its foundation, it has given numerous concerts and inspires audiences with its creative energy and musical diversity. Immerse yourself in the world of “Berlin Odd Wisdom”, where complex rhythms and cultural influences merge into a unique sound experience!