Australia’s newest talent at their best in SCU contemporary music showcase

After three years honing their craft, Australia’s newest talent emerging from Southern Cross University’s contemporary music program will step up to the stage next week in a series of performances that are part exam and part musical showcase.

Each night will feature live band performances from final year students, showcasing their talents for their examinations in guitar (September 30); keyboard, voices, drums, bass (October 1); and guitar, voice, bass (October 2).

The events, in the University’s concert space Studio One29 at the Lismore campus, are free to attend and open to students, staff and the wider community.

Lecturer and jazz singer Leigh Carriage has been working closely with the students to prepare them for the showcase event.

“These evenings will be rich in creativity and cover a range of music genres, including original compositions. I’m always excited by the quality of the performances that the students are able to find within themselves and share with the audience,” Ms Carriage said.

Dr Matt Hill, course coordinator of the contemporary music program, said the exam showcase formed part of the Performance IV unit.

“This is the capstone unit for the students completing the performance major. These students have developed their skills over the three years of their degree and it is great see the development over that time. The teaching staff have really nurtured the creative aspirations of all of the performers and I’m really looking forward to these performances.”

PERFORMER BIOS

Brendan Howe, guitarist: Wednesday September 30 at 6:30pm (then supporting Harry Suttor at 7:30pm)
Brendan is a guitarist/songwriter who enjoys exploring rich and diverse musical tastes to combine into unique original compositions, drawing influences from a wide range of styles including blues, jazz, folk and rock styles. Brendan’s individual sound and style will be focused into this performance with original material written especially for this event featuring a twisted acoustic approach guaranteed to be a one of a kind.

Harry Suttor, guitarist: Wednesday September 30 at 7:30pm
After an extended journey through his internal Tom Tom to the shores of oblivion, Harry Suttor experimented with the dark arts on a quest to find the meaning of life. Instead, he discovered reverb. Your mind will be sent through a vortex of time and space and your vision blurred by the unfathomable amount of reverb which will soak the room and drown your soul. Harry will showcase original music in an amalgamation of musical worlds.

Jaylene Fergus, pianist: Thursday October 1 at 6pm (then supporting vocalist Ellen Hopkins at 7pm)
Jaylene first began playing jazz piano while doing a Bachelor of Contemporary Music degree at SCU. “I love the beautiful melodies, rich harmony and syncopated rhythms in Jazz, but most of all I love the opportunity to engage with other musicians and express something of my own through a solo…like speaking with music,” said Jaylene. Take a musical journey with Jaylene and her band featuring Amy De Roma (vocals), Kenta Sanada (drums) and Nathaniel Gill (bass) as they perform jazz and Latin tunes from the 1930s through to today with a vintage vibe.

Ellen Hopkins, vocalist: Thursday October 1 at 7pm

Ashleigh Baker, drummer: Thursday October 1 at 8pm (then supporting Nat Gill at 9pm)
Ashleigh started playing drums at 13 years of age and has formed various bands since her high school days in Wagga Wagga. Her influences include the Foo Fighters, 30 Seconds to Mars, Tool and Guthrie Govan. This performance crosses rock, alternate and fusion music. “It’s all about the Groove,” says Ashleigh.

Nathaniel Gill, bassist: Thursday October 1 at 9pm
Nathaniel is a third-year bass performance major. Having started the contemporary music degree heavily influenced by death metal band, Opeth, and post-metal bands, Om and Neurosis, Nathaniel has merged onto the roads of jazz and fusion. He will be calling on a handful of his favourite people from SCU to deliver a smoky set of rock and jazz fusion. Vocalist Ellen Hopkins will showcase with Kenta Sanada, Max Foggon, Luke Stapleton, James Smith, Kristy Turner, Emma Hodges and Chris Hall.

Chris Hall, guitarist: Friday October 2 at 6pm
Chris’ Jazz Showcase is a collective of passionate instrumentalists featuring the guitar work of third-year contemporary music student Chris Hall. An experience in musicianship and improvisation, the group will be showcasing small ensemble bop, cool jazz and jazz blues. Featuring Chris Hall – guitar, Luke Stapleton – guitar, Ben Ryan – keys, Nathaniel Gill – bass, and Kenta Sanada – drums.

Jo Young, vocalist, ‘The Accidental Miner’: Friday October 2 at 7pm
The Accidental Miner is a musical excavation of the human heart; digging deep to extract and refine meaning and value from the human experience. Jo forges tools from world music rhythms and melodies to tunnel through the sulphur mines of Sicily, mine the mountain music of Appalachia and harvest seaweed in Ireland. The Accidental Miner features songs by Emmy Lou Harris, Depeche Mode and Midnight Oil as well as some of Jo’s own compositions. Jo is joined by Kenta Sanada (drums), Michael Alvey (guitar), Lila Mann (keys/piano), Dominic Kingsford (double bass), and special guest vocalists.

Sam Webber, guitarist: Friday October 2 at 8pm
Returning to Studio One29 for one final performance, Sam brings a rich and intimate performance of dense harmonic solo guitar styles inspired by Martin Taylor and Ted Greene. Appearing alongside fellow students Chris Hall, Nathaniel Gill and Kenta Sanada, Sam will also perform original compositions drawing on and channelling all he has come to learn from his years at SCU.

Ben Jackson, bass: Friday October 2 at 9pm
This electric-bass showcase will feature originals, fully written by Ben, and mixed in with arranged covers. Pieces with elements of fusion, funk, soul and more will be performed with the help of Sam Schlenker (drums/vocals/percussion), Kenta Sanada (drums/percussion), Ben Ryan (keys), Luke Rosten (keys) Chris Hall (guitar), Luke Stapleton (guitar), Madison Crisp (vocals), Max Foggon (vocals), Bodhi Scott-Jones (horns) and Jess Mahler (saxes).

EVENT DETAILS
Southern Cross University presents the Contemporary Music Showcase, supported by LEXSA.
SCU concert space Studio One29 in D Block at the Lismore campus

Wednesday, September 30, 6.30pm – 8.30pm: guitar
Thursday, October 1, 6pm – 10pm: keyboard, voices, drums, bass
Friday, October 2, 6pm – 10pm: guitar, voice, bass

Photo: (Clockwise from top 12 o-clock): Ellen Hopkins, Sam Webber, Ben Jackson, Jaylene Fergus, Nat Gill, Jo Young, Ashleigh Baker, Harry Suttor, Chris Hall and Brendan Howe (credit: Kate Stroud of Stroud de'Signs).