Memory of Elements is a Perth based band which seems to be a cooperative without one particular leader with compositions being contributed by all members who are all leaders in their own right. They are Jamie Oehlers, saxophones; Carl Mackey, saxophones; Tom O’Halloran, piano; Simon Jeans, guitar; Pete Jeavons, double bass; and Ben Vanderwal, drums. However, on this, their second release the compositions are by Tom O’Halloran except for one written by Paul Grabowsky.
Tom is known mostly for his trio albums and tours the trio regularly. He has worked with many name jazz players both here and overseas, but has also worked with rock and pop artists. Tom O’Halloran leads the jazz piano dept. at WAAPA that’s the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts and is also a composer of Contemporary Classical music.
Saxophonist Jamie Oehlers is considered one of Australia’s most outstanding jazz musicians and I would think that any follower of Australian jazz would be well aware of his music by now.
Carl Mackey is another extremely talented saxophonist and leader of his own groups. He is also, like the others, an educator.
Another recording I will focus on this week is the latest in the Monash Sessions series. The two guest musicians invited to play with, and teach the students of the Sir Zelman Cohen School of Music at Monash University in Victoria are, Tony Gould and Mike Nock– veteran pianists, composers and educators.
