OzJazz 50 Top Australian Jazz All-Time Best Australian Jazz Albums
Welcome to OzJazz 50, the home of the all-time best Australian Jazz albums. Here you will find a Top 50 list based a on a comprehensive statistical survey of critics and record stores. Also included in the stats are the results of an OzJazz online poll conducted by the Jazz 100 website in which over 200 people had their say and cast more than 1000 votes.
OzJazz Top 50 While the American and European jazz scenes get almost all the international attention, Australian jazz artists continue to pump out some terrific music. Around a hundred reviews have been posted, with recordings stretching right back to the very beginnings of OzJazz. So if names like Paul Grabowsky, Don Burrows, James Morrison, Bernie McGann and Scott Tinkler mean little to you… then check out the awesome Aussies for some of the best jazz almost nobody has ever heard.
Untamed Tenor Julien Wilson While You Were Sleeping (2006) Sound Vault
Melbourne-based tenor Julien Wilson leads a stellar OzJazz lineup on his fabulous debut album.
Well-known sideman and member of groups including Snag and IshIsh, here Wilson shows in no uncertain terms that he is never far from the front. With an astonishing clarity of purpose Wilson leads the outfits featured here through a set that both cruises and clatters.
The lineup featuring Stephen Magnusson on electric guitar, trombonist Jordan Murray and the Philip Rex/Simon Barker rhythm section manages a fair dose of stirringly compelling music. When Wilson is accompanied by Magnusson on acoustic guitar and piano accordionist Steve Grant things take some decidedly more melodic and contemplative turns. Also included is a DVD with some nice bargain bonuses.
Australian jazz pianist Leonie Cohen delivers an intoxicating blend of jazz and Hebrew melodies.
In a celebration of her Jewish heritage Cohen produces jazz that is both culturally sensitive and eminently accessible. To most listeners the success of this union will be apparent on the familiar 'Hava Nagila', while on lesser-known songs images of Judaism abound without ever belying the beautifully melodic jazz on offer.
The support includes topnotch sax-men Roger Manins and Paul Cutlan. Straightahead tenor Manins delivers some fine swing, blues and funk… while Cutlan's work on soprano adds a subtle touch of the avant garde. The Hugh Fraser/Simon Barker rhythm section prove the perfect complement throughout.
Australian Jazz Links ARIA Awards Winners and nominees in Australia's 'Best Jazz Album' category. Australian Classic Jazz B&W Music record label specialising in trad and ragtime. Birdland Records Sydney jazz record store with comprehensive online catalogue. Jazz Australia Official Australian government funded website loaded with OzJazz info. Jazz on the Street Classy OzJazz e-zine with reviews, gig guide and other stuff. Jazz Scene Focusing on Australian jazz with a gig guide, reviews and other stuff. jazzandbeyond.com.au Gig guide, news and reviews from Sydney, Australia. Jazzgroove Association Sydney-based jazz artists consortium and record label. Jazzhead Melbourne-based jazz record label dedicated to "The New Sounds". La Brava Music Mainly mainstream OzJazz record label with a stable of topnotch artists. Newmarket Music Australia's largest independent jazz label based in Melbourne. OZJAZZFORUM Registration page for OzJazz chat room. Rufus Records Cutting edge jazz and blues billed as "the adventurous label". Wikipedia Article on Australian Jazz with an excellent historical overview.
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