Andrew Crago Alto Saxophone

Michael Avgenicos Tenor Saxophone

Peter Koopman Guitar

Aaron Blakey Piano, Composer & Bandleader

Tom Botting Contrabass

Tim Firth Drums & Cymbals

Recorded July 18, 2021 by Brent Clark at Rancom Studios

Released November 16, 2022

Mastered by Kathy Naunton at DB Mastering.

Artwork by Zoe Friedman.

All compositions by ⓒ Aaron Blakey.

The Sydney jazz scene has long benefitted from our proximity to the Land of the long white cloud. Despite our strong desire to claim musicians such as Mike Nock, Judy Bailey, Jonothan Zwartz, Jann Rutherford, Steve Barry and Julian Lee as Australian creative talent, they remain proudly kiwi and we are grateful that they’ve chosen to call Sydney home.

While he is by no means a newcomer to the Sydney jazz scene, New Zealand pianist Aaron Blakey typifies a new wave of young musicians that have crossed the ditch, and continue to leave their mark on our cultural landscape. Blakey is your archetypal kiwi quiet achiever; industrious, creative, passionate, and humble. He continues to not only create great music as a bandleader and sideman but is at the vanguard of a new scene of bright young talent, hosting a long running Thursday night residency at the Botany View Hotel and curating a series of Mini-Jazz Festivals at the Lord Gladstone Hotel in Inner Sydney.

His latest offering Obihiro, in many ways, heralds his transition from a developing talent to an established force both as a composer and improviser. Inspiration for his compositions is drawn from memories of living in New Zealand, Japan and Australia and some of the remarkable people, places (and fish) he crossed paths with. Composition is an interesting beast; for many writers, the sentiment or location at the moment of conception is forever linked with the song…when its performed, it invokes a visceral memory of these times and Blakey’s success in communicating these sentiments to this listener is just one of the many elements that makes Obihiro so remarkable.

Another is his prudent choice of musicians on this release. The leader has invited his regular collaborators, and close friends, alto saxophonist Andrew Cargo, bassist Tom Botting & drummer Tim Firth plus talented tenor saxophonist Michael Avgenicos and National Jazz Award winning guitarist Peter Koopman to help express his compositions. The blistering virtuosity and musicality from these soloists is indicative of the remarkable evolution of this generations technical proficiency but the highlight of this record is the way the rhythm section of Blakey, Botting and Firth drive the musical dialogue, create a variety of timbre, and underpin the whole construction with a hard swinging, yet overwhelmingly musical approach to the music. Tim Firth’s drumming is sensational throughout this recording; dynamic, rhythmic, clean and exceptionally groovy…once again demonstrating why he has an international reputation, alongside a handful of drummers living outside of NY, as a musician of the highest order.

Also noteworthy is the way Blakey comps…he reminds me in equal parts of Kenny Kirkland and our own Sean Wayland, coupled with the lyricism of Bill Evans. The texturing of ballads by the rhythm section is devine and the addition of Koopman’s sublime guitar halfway through the release contributes a timely change of colour that takes the music from the realms of new-bop towards a more narrative, compositional approach. The album is wonderfully paced, creating a sense of nostalgia and an uncanny familiarity as you experience mood changes alongside the composer.

If pressed for criticism, I found myself wanting to hear the soloists stretch out for longer on the harmonically rich landscape sculpted by Blakey…Perhaps this could have been achieved by having fewer soloists on some takes, and encouraging them to explore deeper on others, but this is a minor blip on what is overall an excellent album in conception and execution.

David Theak

Nov 30, 2022

Incredible rhythm section playing

Virtuosic soloists

Beautifully recorded

A variety of moods and tone colours take the listener on a journey

Excellent compositions and orchestrations