Andrea Keller curates Monday Nights Live at the Jazzlab: Volume 1 – The Composers’ Circle

AAR-Andrea-KellerRenowned Australian pianist and composer Andrea Keller has released a series of albums recorded live from her specially curated Monday night residency at Melbourne’s iconic live music venue, The Jazzlab in Brunswick.

The first volume in this unique set features a sextet of leading Melbourne-based improvisers and composers who performed original music written by the musicians as part of the Composers’ Circle series over two nights in December 2018 – the first recording as part of the Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival and the second as part of Keller’s regular residency.

The ensemble on Volume 1 includes Angela Davis (alto saxophone), Carl Mackey (tenor saxophone), James Macaulay (trombone), Andrea Keller (piano), Sam Anning (double bass) and James McLean (drums). The Composers’ Circle have performed at the Jazzlab on a monthly basis, featuring compositions by all members, including re-imaginings of extant works and material written specifically for the ensemble, since the venue’s beginnings in mid-2017.

Over the course of three years, Keller has celebrated a cross-section of established and emerging musicians, as well as developing long-standing projects in the thriving contemporary jazz community in Melbourne. Keller’s Monday night residency has included the Composers’ Circle, Masters & Apprentices, Piano Club, Celebrating Voice, Solo/Duo/Trio, Five Below, and more.

The series of albums, recorded between December 2018 and December 2019, cover a variety of events at The Jazzlab. Volume 2 Meditations for 2 to 3 Players (out November 2020) will feature combinations from the Solo/Duo/Trio series, such as Julien Wilson/Stephen Magnusson/Andrea Keller; Stephen Magnusson/Andrea Keller; Flora Carbo/Theo Carbo/Andrea Keller; and Erkki Veltheim/Mick Meagher/Andrea Keller.

Andrea Keller curates Monday Nights Live at the Jazzlab: Volume 1 – The Composers’ Circle Track listing:
1. Apophasis – comp/arr. James McLean
2. Hello Jim – comp/arr. Carl Mackey
3. Plan of a Taco – comp/arr. James Macaulay
4. Hymn for Haden – comp/arr. Angela Davis
5. Grateful, Hopeful, Joyful – comp/arr. Andrea Keller
6. Ripples – comp/arr. Sam Anning


Andrea Keller curates Monday Nights Live at the Jazzlab: Volume 1 – The Composers’ Circle is now available in digital and limited-edition CDs. To listen, download and purchase, visit: www.andreakeller.bandcamp.com for details.

Image: Andrea Keller curates Monday Nights Live at the Jazzlab: Volume 1 – The Composers’ Circle