THE JAMES SANDON COLLECTIVE

Thursday 2 March 2023 - Ian Hanger Recital Hall

This group is made up of world renowned, highly awarded and respected musicians in the Australian Jazz scene. The aim of this collective is to produce art in the moment, through energetic and intense exploration, drawing upon the individual's lineage in music from the USA, Africa, Cuba, Jamaica, India and Australia. The interplay objective is the driving force behind this new and exciting line up:

James Sandon saxophone

Wil Sargisson piano

Elliot Parker double bass

Chris Evans drums plus special guests

D’Addario Australia artist James Sandon, from Perth, attended the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), at Edith Cowan University, receiving a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance (1998). James has performed and recorded extensively throughout Australasia, Asia, and North America with artists including Billy Cobham, Chris Potter, Ernie Watts, Frank Foster, Billy Harper, Soulive, Eric Krasnow, Derek Trucks, Oteil Burbridge, Sam Yahel and Gil Askey and Nnenna Freelon. Formerly a lecturer in Improvisation at his alma mater, Edith Cowan University, James is currently a lecturer in jazz saxophone, theory and improvisation at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.

Wil Sargisson began learning the piano at age 5 in his home town of Napier, New Zealand. Early lessons revolved around blues and boogie woogie. By age 13 he was performing solo at Jazz festivals throughout the North Island. He represented his country at age 17 for the NZ High Schools Jazz Orchestra, released a solo album that same year (which reached the final 3 in the running for NZ Jazz Album Of the Year), and travelled to New Orleans to perform by invitation at the famous Tipitina's club. At age 20 he left NZ to work abroad on cruise ships, playing with 10-piece showbands and in jazz trios. After 11 ship contracts completed and 45 countries visited he moved to Australia at age 28, where he quickly began performing with renowned Australian band Galapagos Duck. Countless festival appearances and recording sessions took place in the following decade. Wil moved to Brisbane at age 38, where he performs regularly.

Elliott Parker is a double bassist living in Brisbane. Having refined his skills on the bass most of his life he has developed a superlative feel for jazz rhythm and tone. Elliott has had the opportunity to showcase his skills across Australia and Internationally playing with notable musicians such as James Sandon, Steve Newcomb, Barney Mcall, Jerome Jennings, Vince Gardner, Nick Hempton, Wil Sargisson, Graham Norris, Tyrone Noonan, and many more.

Chris Evans comes from a family of musicians and music enthusiasts, and in recent years, has started to make his mark as one of the more serious Jazz drummers to come through Brisbane. Playing with many different band leaders, Evans is becoming one of the more widely used side man rhythm section players around. Chris has also completed his Bachelor of Music at JMI, and is now currently studying his Master of Music Studies at the Qld Con.