Legendary Russian saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist/composer Eddie Bronson, founding member of Australia’s first spontaneously improvised music ensemble Free Kata returns to the Foundry616 stage with an explosive quartet featuring some of Sydney’s finest established musicians in Peter Farrar (alto sax) and Robbie Avenaim (drums) as well as young gun Jacques Emery on double bass.

Originally from Russia (then the Soviet Union), where he was a member of the bourgeoning underground free jazz scene, Bronson came to Australia in 1973 and the following year met pianist Serge Ermoll who invited Eddie to join his new free jazz band, Free Kata. This group represents a watershed in Australian free jazz and improvised music because it took a great part of its inspiration from the European free jazz movement rather than from American models. 

Between 1974-1976 the band (Serge Ermoll - piano, Eddie Bronson -tenor, Louis Burdett - drums, John Clare - spontaneous poetry and later Jon Rose - violin) recorded three albums and astounded audiences in Sydney and Melbourne with their energy and sophisticated interplay. Since those days, while performing as a professional musician who does what the job requires, Eddie never severed his connection with the avant-garde jazz and experimental improvisation. 

In the early to mid-90s he was part of the band Ear-Rational Music and in 1997 he recorded the superb CD Night Spirit with Cameron Undy and Rob Avenaim. A new album with Louis Burdett on drums and Dirk Kruithof on guitar will be released later this year. 

This new quartet includes the brilliant alto saxophonist Peter Farrar whose own work includes the experimental in small groups as well as the large ensembles such as the Splinter Orchestra parallel to his membership of a band such as the Greasy Chicken Orchestra performing a heritage repertoire and also, on occasion playing with contemporary jazz ensembles like Ten Part Invention and Mingus Amongst Us. 

Rob Avenaim has become synonymous with spontaneous improvisation in Australia. His work with Oren Ambarchi in the 1990s and later is well remembered as heralding the arrival of a new generation of spontaneous improvisors on the music scene. Rob divides his time between Sydney and Melbourne, performing for the Make It Up Club, the nowNOW in Sydney. His duo with Chris Abrahams performed at Foundry616 in early July and will be returning to the club later in the year.

Jacques Emery, handling bass duties is an exceptional talent whose playing has already drawn accolades from several leading musicians in Sydney. 

Eddie Bronson always assembles exciting bands for his exploratory jazz groups – and this one will definitely impress fans of Eddie’s music and improvisational jazz.

Eddie Bronson tenor sax
Peter Farrar alto saxophone
Jacques Emery double bass
Robbie Avenaim drums

Source: https://www.facebook.com/events/339271266504763/