Simon Tedeschi & Kevin Hunt launch first ABC Jazz album

Last night we saw Simon and Kevin take to the stage to celebrate the release of their first ABC Jazz album. They performed a selection of tracks, including Hunt's own composition and the title track, Woodlands (as seen in video above).

For me this piece feels like coming home. It makes me want to cry happy tears. You can tell these two performers have a strong bond and trust in each other when performing. It was, by far, the happiest I've ever seen Simon on stage, who grinned from ear to ear every time he looked over at Kevin. Or maybe that was due to the crazy ties they were both wearing.

Cheryl Barker tackles career defining role

For the past couple of months I've been working with Opera Australia and some very big stars of the opera stage. One such star is the delightful Cheryl Barker.

I was thrilled to learn Leta Keens from The Australian was to interview Cheryl as she prepared for her latest role, playing the Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier. I was sitting in Imogen's office, which shares a wall with the meeting room, and could hear them both giggling throughout the hour-long chat.

Leta has once again captured Cheryl and this role beautifully with her words. She really is a brilliant writer. Read the article here.

ASQ heralded in Köln, Germany

The girls jetted off on another international trip this month, performing in Köln, Germany. They've returned home with more than just the luggage they left with, having picked up two very complimentary reviews from their performance of Mendelssohn Quartet in E flat Op.12, Brett Dean Epitaphs for String Quintet, with Brett Dean (viola) and Bruckner Viola Quintet in F major:

Sophie Rowell and Anne Horton (violins), Sally Boud (viola) and Rachel, Johnston (cello) had opened the night with an enormously passionate performance of Felix Mendelssohn String Quartet in E flat major (op. 12). The waves of the Romantic period surged in homogenous ebb and flow,and dark colours - and it became apparent very quickly that here at work were masters of their craft (Kölnische Rundschau, 18.9.2010)

Throughout, the string sound was lightly muted, with life and warmth emanating from the inner voice, contributed to in no small part by the noble restraint of the first violinist. The four players dealt in marvellous style with the awkwardly positioned, evasive motifs of the scherzo and finale, i.e. with what we in the Rhineland call Knibbelsarbeit - fiddly work (Kölnische Rundschau, 21.9.2010).

Ben Northey rocks it on ABC's Spicks & Specks

I recall speaking to Ben after he filmed episode 32 for ABC's Spicks & Specks, back in March. They had asked if he wouldn't mind doing a little impromptu conducting session, finishing it off in true 'rock n roll' style... well Ben, seems you do have a little rock running through your veins. You didn't disappoint!

Watch it here:http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/view/630795

sweet sounds from Bangalow Music Festival

Those lucky enough to be in Bangalow, the oh-so-quaint town in the hinterlands above Byron Bay, last weekend were treated to three days of exquisite music from some of Australia's best musicians. Artistic Director Paul Dean was in fine form and the sounds coming from Ilya Konovalov's centuries-old Stradivarius violin made for some very special memories. Lots of familiar faces, lots of tea and cake between concerts. Looking forward to doing it all again next year!

i stumbled across a Pirate at the beach

I've had the joy of working with some of Australia's favourite opera talents on Opera Australia's 2010 season of The Pirates of Penzance. As well as being treated to a sneak-peak during rehearsals, I enjoyed a sparkling morning on Palm Beach with the talented and commanding pirate of the seas, Anthony Warlow (or should I say Captain Jack Sparrow). Thanks for the amazing pics Sydney Morning Herald.

Winter music school hits high notes

Artistic Director Paul Dean rang me last year and invited me to be his plus one at the 2009 Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) Awards night. Southern Cross Soloists had been nominated for their Winter Music School for the most outstanding contribution to Australian music and education. To my dismay I was unable to make the event, which was made even worse when Paul text me to say they'd be pick up the award. 

They returned to Rockhampton last week for their 2010 SunWater & Stanwell Winter Music School, award in tow, and have attracted record numbers and it's biggest program date. This morning Paul and students spoke with ABC Capricornia breakfast presenter Jacquie Mackay: http://blogs.abc.net.au/files/jm---winter-music-school-pkge.mp3

A side of Simon not widley known, until now...

I recall the first time Simon and I met five years ago... i was told two things before our meeting; Simon was a child prodigy with a remarkable talent for playing the piano, yet he was approachable and non-elitist. To me this seemed a little 'yin and yang', but upon meeting Simon I realised this was an apt description. Simon spoke of performing on the Opera House stage aged 9 and meeting and performing for Pavarotti aged 13, yet he was as equally excited to tell me about his shows at the local RSL's. So I wasn't surprised when Simon sent me a video of him performing in Cambodia, on a make-shift piano, swatting bugs in-between movements (see video below). This trip and performance was for one of the many charities that Simon is involved with.  

Here he spoke with The Australian newspaper about such charity work and what it means to him: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/simon-tedeschi-hearing-a-different-beat/story-e6frg8n6-1225885716673

Are we all just big kids playing games...?

Last week Yaeli Ohana spoke to Andrew Taylor, Culture Editor for The Sun Herald about the inspiration for her latest exhibition and her knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/playing-around-with-conflict-20100619-ynwp.html

And last night she opened her exhibition to great success - the gallery was filled with buzzing conversation and a number of happy people who snapped up one of Yaeli's amazing works.

Sydney-based artist Yaeli Ohana talks to AJN TV ahead of her opening...

Games We Play, Yaeli Ohana's latest exhibition, opens next Tuesday at NG Art Gallery and is definitely worth a look-see. Check out her Australian Jewish News TV interview below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4t0Y_IvGDI