UPDATE: Jazz enthusiasts, mark your calendars! On October 22, 2023, renowned pianist Barney McAll will reunite with legendary saxophonist Gary Bartz for a highly anticipated performance at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. This collaboration, bridging continents, promises to be a highlight of the festival.
Despite living in Coburg North, Australia, McAll continues to thrive in the jazz scene, maintaining his role with the acclaimed Gary Bartz Quartet. Over the past decade, he has consistently recorded and toured with the group, including recent performances in Japan and Europe. The distance from New York has not hindered this remarkable partnership, showcasing the enduring power of jazz.
The duo first shared the stage at the inaugural Melbourne International Jazz Festival in 1997. McAll, who won the National Jazz Awards in 1990, was invited by Bartz to join the band after impressing him with his musical sensibility. McAll recalls the moment fondly, stating, “Bartz said, if you are in the band, then you are in the band.” That invitation launched McAll into the heart of the New York jazz scene, where he quickly made a name for himself.
Bartz, now 85, is not only a jazz icon but also a professor at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. His recent sabbatical brought him back to Melbourne, where he recorded at McAll’s studio with members of the local band Hiatus Kaiyote. The two musicians’ chemistry is palpable, with McAll noting, “There is spirit in the air every time he starts playing.”
The upcoming performance at 170 Russell Street will feature a reimagining of Bartz’s radical NTU Troop music alongside selections from his latest album, Damage Control. McAll will accompany Bartz on keyboards, supported by an ensemble of talented musicians including Rita Satch, Gilly G, and Jason Heerah.
In addition to this performance, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival kicks off on October 17, 2023, with a star-studded lineup at the JazzLab in Brunswick. Notable acts include Panamanian pianist Danilo Perez and UK’s Tenderlonious. With many shows already sold out, festival-goers are urged to act quickly to secure their spots.
McAll’s journey from the vibrant jazz scene of New York to the serene landscapes of Australia has not diminished his passion. He describes his time in Coburg as a transformative experience that has allowed him to create some of his best work. “I have created my best albums and the best documents of my music in Australia,” he says, emphasizing the emotional connection he finds in his music.
Jazz lovers are in for a treat as McAll and Bartz take the stage once again, reaffirming the timeless appeal of jazz and its ability to connect artists across distances. Don’t miss this extraordinary event at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, a must-see for anyone passionate about music.
