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Alister Spence's High 5
Alister Spence's High 5 Alister Spence is one of the most outstanding pianists and composers in contemporary jazz in Australia. In recent years he has…
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Alister Spence is one of the most outstanding pianists and composers in contemporary jazz in Australia. In recent years he has devoted his energy to writing and performing with his trio, The Alister Spence Trio.
This celebrated group has recorded 3 CDs of Alister’s original music, Three is a Circle in 2000, Flux in 2003 and Mercury in 2006, all on Rufus Records, distributed in Australia by Universal Music. In June 2006 they embarked on a hugely successful tour of the UK and Canada, and plan to return overseas in 2008.
In 2004 the group was nominated for Best Australian Jazz Ensemble at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. Flux was nominated for Best Jazz Album 2004 at the ARIA (Australian recording Industry) Awards.
The trio was also featured on the A.B.C TV documentary series on Australian jazz called The Pulse in 2001.Three is a Circle was released in Japan in January 2003 on the Earth Spirit Label.
As well as this Alister co-leads internationally acclaimed group Clarion Fracture Zone. He is a member of Wanderlust and The Australian Art Orchestra (AAO). Alister’s playing is featured on more than 30 CDs, several of which have won ARIA Awards. Over the years he has played with many of the finest musicians in Australia including Bernie McGann, Sandy Evans, Don Burrows, Dale Barlow, Peter O’Mara, Tony Buck and Phillip Slater, and overseas artists including Mark Helias (US), Andy Sheppard (UK), and Phillip Johnston (US).
Alister has toured extensively in Europe and Asia with Clarion Fracture Zone, Wanderlust and AAO, and has performed for radio broadcasts for ABC, BBC, and WDR (Germany).
His talents as a writer have been well recognised with several compositions featuring on Bernie McGann’s 2001 Aria winning CD Bundeena. He has also been commissioned to write for Wanderlust, The Australian Art Orchestra and Ten Part Invention with his work being featured on Passion (ABC Classics) by the Australian Art Orchestra and all of Wanderlust’s and Clarion Fracture Zones CDs.
In more recent times Alister has composed music for film, collaborating often with film director Ivan Sen. Together they wrote and recorded the soundtrack to Ivan’s first feature film, Beneath Clouds, which was first screened in June 2002. The score for ‘Beneath Clouds’ was nominated for the Best Score at The Film Critics Awards, and the Australian Film Industry Awards 2002.
He is a graduate of the Jazz Studies course at the NSW Conservatorium and has studied in New York with Cedar Walton and Andy La Verne, and also Mulgrew Miller (USA) and Benny Green (USA).
Alister lectures at UNSW University in Jazz Performance and Arranging.
‘Some of the best concerts I’ve seen. In no particular order ’
1. CECIL TAYLOR – Brecon Jazz Festival, Wales 1991.
We had the good fortune to be performing there with Clarion fracture Zone, and I had never heard Cecil play live before, though I was familiar with some of his recordings.
What struck me was his sustained energy and pianistic and ‘on the spot’ compositional skill.
In a conversation with him afterwards I asked him about the ‘pieces of paper’ he put in the piano. These turned out to be sketches of compositions that he would search through before starting his next piece.
I had always thought that he made everything up on the spot, but he said ‘No, No man it’s ALL about the composition!’
2. MICHAEL BRECKER QUARTET – Rome 2004(?)
Once again what struck me was the energy and commitment to the music, which this time was post bop, and quite complicated music, but played with conviction and authority and a joy in playing together. And everybody in the band was really reaching and extending themselves.
3. PAUL BLEY WITH CHARLIE HADEN AND PAUL MOTIAN – North Sea Jazz Festival 1990.
This was Clarion Fracture Zone’s first tour overseas, and almost straight after us on the same stage, Paul’s trio was playing. If I am being truthful I probably didn’t absorb this concert as much as I would now. His playing is now a big part of my musical ‘outlook’. But I remember the fluidity of his music and interaction with Charlie and Paul; equal contributors in a beautiful abstract musical painting.
4. THE BAD PLUS – International Festival de Jazz de Montreal 2006
This was the Alister Spence Trio’s first tour overseas to the UK and Canada.
The Montreal Festival was a virtual ‘who’s who’ of current jazz, including many well known faces and us.
I loved the energy, the often rocky feels of this band, mixed with intricate compositions/arrangements and a free music sensibility. The ability to sustain the kernel of an idea while it constantly evolves amongst the band has always attracted me musically. The element of surprise was also excellently employed in their music.
5. SIGUR ROS – The Great Escape Easter 2006
Sigur Ros are an Icelandic rock band and they toured with a string quartet. Their music layers up textures of electric guitar/keyboards/vibraphone/glockenspiel/vocals and they are not afraid to dwell on music that is simple, strong and beautiful. The timing of this concert, a wonderful Australian sunset, coupled with their soaring, ecstatic tunes was an irresistible combination for me!
