McHenry is an Adelaide born musician and composer who has become a formidable force in modern Australian jazz. You may know him from his Shaolin Afronauts project, who have three albums under their belt, and he’s recorded a couple of brilliant albums as under his own name Ross McHenry as well.
This is McHenry’s first album in the trio format with drummer Myele Manzanza (from the NZ band Electric Wire Hustle) and distinguished Australian pianist Matthew Sheens. The three met whilst performing at Womadelaide 2015, and spent the next two years on and off scheduling studio time in order to bring us “The Outsiders“, which was shortlisted for this year’s Freedman Jazz Awards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW2SKViDvwk
McHenry says he was keeping the nature of Australian cultural identity in a modern, hyper-connected world, as well as some contemporary political misgivings in mind as he was composing the record.
The album is out through First Word Records, and you can purchase it here. We’re pleased to bring you selections from the album all this week on Eastside Radio.