James Annesley Quartet

This Melbourne-based group was conceived in early 2007, as a trio featuring James Annesley on soprano and tenor saxophones, Tom Lee on double bass and Hugh Harvey on drums. In early 2008 they were joined by guitarist Hugh Stuckey, finalist in the 2007 National Jazz Awards. Aaron McCoullough will be playing drums with the group for the Queenstown festival. Their music is a unique style of contemporary jazz which draws influence from serene, earthy folk music as well as hard hitting rock. Annesley’s compositions are rich in dynamic contrast and varied textures, with an emphasis on strong melodic themes. The open structures of the tunes allow for adventurous, freewheeling improvisations. ‘Vicious Cycle’ is their newest album, following the successful 2009 release of ‘Idle Hands do the Devil’s Work.’ The group performs regularly throughout Melbourne, at venues such as Bennett’s Lane, The Paris Cat, Uptown and 303. They have played high profile festivals such as the Melba Festival, Stonnington Jazz festival and the Melbourne Jazz Fringe. They have also toured nationally, performing in some of the Australia’s top jazz venues, including 505, The Ellington, Jazzworx and Jazzgroove. “........Drums and bass constantly move and morph and the guitar positively soars....... At times the music sounds almost rhythmically symphonic, pulses like rock fusion, or slides into eastern modality, always expertly building tension, then often cutting quickly to tranquility as soprano sax floats over spreading chords ” - John Mcbeath, The Australian