Indian Summer

The collaboration of these two most accomplished Sydney jazz musicians has produced an album of excellent musicianship and pristine studio recorded sound, bringing traditional jazz to a new audience in a fresh setting.

Produced by David Basden the album features two different line-ups from several duets featuring the stunning multi instrumentalist Power, along with superb pianist Locke to the quartet tracks featuring well known Sydney players David Seidel - Bass and Anthony Howell - Drums. read more...

Charade

This CD was released last month in Japan and now in Australia. It entered Swing Journal Jazz Vocal Charts at No. 2 and has been described there as “jazz vocals masterpiece”.

Janet Seidel has been described as “first lady of Australian jazz singing” in the “Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD” (UK). Though perhaps not a typical jazz singer, in the clichéd sense of the word, she is a stylist and interpreter and is regarded in Japan and some other countries as ranking in the Top 10 female jazz vocalists in the world today.

The songs by Mancini are timeless. The recording is audiophile quality. The sublime vocals are matched with the brilliant piano of Melbourne’s Joe Chindamo, and the deep, spacious backgrounds provided by Chuck Morgan, David Seidel (and Fabian Hevia on several tracks), enhance every move. read more...

The Sapphire Tree

Bonnie J Jensen has just released her third album “The Sapphire Tree”, a very warm, accessible and glowing album of high musical integrity. The brilliant musicianship of her band compliments Bonnie’s soulful interpretations and unique approaches to her diverse selection of songs, including three new engaging originals including the title song.

Known for her signature jazz treatments of classic songs, here she has reworked U2’s “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for” by changing the meter and adding haunting horns. Her rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing”, like many of the tracks on this album, displays the wide emotional range of her voice and Bonnie’s own “Neon Soliloquy” is reminiscent of Miles Davis’ film sound track for “Ascenseur Pour L’Echafaud.

This album also includes a couple of bluesy tracks and ends with a beautiful prayer of a song by legendary American drummer Brian Blade who worked with Joni Mitchell for many years. read more...

A Jazz Portrait of Bobby Darin

The new Ben Jones CD is an exciting live recording of one night at Sydney’s famed Woodfire Cabaret venue. Ben made quite a splash with his first album It Might As Well Be Swing (la Brava LB0040) with great reviews all over the world and followed up with an international collaboration with leading swing musicians from the Netherlands, recorded live in concert there in 2003 (The Basie, Bean and Fats Project LB0063).

This Darin tribute is one with a difference and far from an imitator, Ben manages to capture the wilder and jazzier side of Darin’s persona, both singing and playing saxophone to great effect. What you hear is a recording from the audience perspective recalling not so much the slickness but the energy and exuberance of a young Darin on a jazz gig. Ben fronts a swinging group of Sydney musicians with aplomb and the recording is an all digital affair making use of the best of valve microphones and equipment to ensure a warm, true and friendly sound. read more...

Tim Bruer Quartet

La Brava Music is proud to present the debut CD from renowned pianist and composer Tim Bruer. The Quartet is a stellar line up of Sydney modern jazz musicians with Tim on piano, Sean Coffin on tenor, Brett Hirst on bass and Simon Barker at the drums.

The CD features a program of Bruer originals which have been mainly composed with this particular band in mind. Tim says, “This CD is representative of many of the styles I'm interested in, from the passionate modal style of Coltrane's classic quartet to the expressive, lyrical approach of Jarrett's European quartet, to the R&B influenced style of John Scofield’s groove based bands.” read more...