The Music Show

Jazz has always been about innovation and collaboration, and saxophonist and composer Sandy Evans has excelled on both counts for nearly four decades. She returns to The Music Show studio to perform live with an eclectic trio—the bass trombone of Adrian Sherriff and Suresh Vaidyanathan's ghatam (Indian clay drum). Sandy reflects on a life filled with musical conversations and why she's re-releasing her old albums for the streaming generation. 

How do you make historical speeches something that people will actually want to sit down and listen to? You set them to music. Composer Robert Davidson has teamed up with pianist Sonya Lifschitz to create a series of live musical portraits that weave archival audio from women like Frida Kahlo, Greta Thunberg, Michelle Obama and Patti Smith with piano music and video projections. Both the composer and performer will be on to talk about the inherent musicality of speech and how the work can breathe new life into figures from the past. 

So Much Myself: Piano Portraits is on at Brisbane Festival on 21 September.

Sandy Evans performs with Adrian Sherriff and Suresh Vaidyanathan at Local Edition on 7 September, Festival of the Winds in Bondi on 8 September and at JazzLab in Melbourne on 15 September.

Sandy Evans Trio (with Brett Hirst and Toby Hall) perform at Church St Studios on 30 September and at Inner West Jazz Fest on 20 October. 

Music in the program:

Title: So Much Myself (Nina Simone)Artist: Sonya LifschitzComposer: Robert DavidsonLive recording courtesy of the composer

Title: One PlanetArtist: Sandy Evans, Suresh Vaidyanathan, Adrian SherriffComposer: Sandy EvansRecorded live in The Music Show studio

Title: Improvised percussion duetArtist: Adrian Sherriff, Suresh VaidyanathanComposer: Adrian Sherriff, Suresh VaidyanathanRecorded live in The Music Show studio

Title: Ritual BurningArtist: Sandy Evans Trio (Sandy Evans, Brett Hirst, Toby Hall)Composer: Sandy EvansAlbum: The Running Tide (due 27 September)Label: Independent

Title: To Connect (Michelle Obama)Artist: Sonya LifschitzComposer: Robert DavidsonLive recording courtesy of the composer

Title: Sweet Spring (E. E. Cummings)Artist: Sonya LifschitzComposer: Robert DavidsonAlbum: Stalin's PianoLabel: Independent

Title: Portrait of Diego (Frida Kahlo)Artist: Sonya LifschitzComposer: Robert DavidsonLive recording courtesy of the composer

Title: Susan SontagArtist: Sonya LifschitzComposer: Robert DavidsonLive recording courtesy of the composer

Title: Pierrot Lunaire, Op. 21: XII. GalgenliedComposer: Arnold SchoenbergArtist: Patricia Kopatchinskaja, Thomas Kaufmann, Reto Bieri, Júlia Gállego, Joonas Ahonen, Meesun HongAlbum: Schoenberg: Pierrot LunaireLabel: ALPHA Classics ALPHA 722

Technical production by Nathan Turnbull, Tegan Nicholls and Beth Stewart

The Music Show is made on Gadigal and Gundungurra Country

Composer Larry Sitsky is a charming sort of thorn in the side of the Australian music scene, and he’s about to turn 90. In this conversation recorded at the 2024 Canberra International Music Festival, he doesn’t hold back. 

New York based trumpeter Chloe Rowlands divides her time between playing with art brass quartet the Westerlies, and with groups like Fleet Foxes and the 8-Bit Big Band. She’s visiting both edges of Australia when she collaborates with the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Sydney Conservatorium’s Equity in Jazz Program. 

Larry Sitsky’s The Compleat Busoni is published by ANU Press.

Chloe Rowlands performs a free concert at Sydney Conservatorium of Music on Thursday 5 September, 6.30-8.30pm. 

Chloe performs two shows in Perth with WA Youth Jazz Orchestra, in the Progressions 2024 Showcase and at The Ellington Jazz Club. 

Music heard in the show:

Title: When All of This is OverComposer: Chloe RowlandsArtist: The WesterliesAlbum: Songbook Vol. 2Label: The Westerlies Music

Title: Piano Concerto No. 1 – The Twenty-Two Paths of the Tarot; vi. The LoversComposer: Larry SitskyArtist: Roger Woodward, David Porcelijn, Adelaide Symphony OrchestraAlbum: A Concerto CollectionLabel: ABC Classics 481 1322

Title: Sonatina Seconda Composer: Ferruccio BusoniArtist: Marc-André Hamelin (piano)Album: Busoni Late Piano MusicLabel: Hyperion CDA67951

Title: Violin Concerto No. 3 ‘I Ching’ – The Eight Kua (Trigrams); i. WaterComposer: Larry SitskyArtist: Jan Sedivka, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Christopher Lyndon-GeeAlbum: Australian ConcertosLabel: Australian Music Unit AMU4

Title: Arch (Fantasia No. 4)Composer: Larry SitskyArtist: Larry Sitsky (piano)Album: Contemporary Australian PianoLabel: Move M3066

Title: Blue and Red HorsesComposer: Adriene LenkerArtist: The WesterliesAlbum: Songbook Vol. 1Label: The Westerlies Music

Title: Tifa’s ThemeComposer: Nobuo UematsuArtist: The 8-Bit Big Band, Chloe Rowlands (flugelhorn)Album: Album 4 – Game ChangerLabel: 8-Bit 

Title: LaurieComposer: Chloe RowlandsArtist: The WesterliesAlbum: Wherein Lies the GoodLabel: The Westerlies Music

Technical production by Emrys Cronin, Isabella Tropiano, and John Jacobs

The Music Show is made on Gadigal and Gundungurra Country

Romano Crevici has been playing violins made by Harry Vatiliotis for decades. Now drawing to the end of their respective careers, Harry has made one final instrument, which will be Romano's last violin too. The process, challenged by sore joints, thin skin, and Harry's caring responsibilities to the love of his life Maria, have been captured in a moving film called The Last Violin by Carla Thackrah. Romano and Carla are in the studio with the titular violin.

Andrew Robertson's The Journeyman Suite is music about making music—documenting the realities and career arc of a jobbing musician. Big band music presents big possibilities for colour and texture and the composer tells Andrew Ford about writing for this intergenerational band, and why he added a string quartet.

The Last Violin is being screened on SBS on Sunday 15 September and will be available on SBS On Demand after that.

You can contact Romano Crivici here if you own an instrument made by Harry Vatiliotis. 

AR Big Band's The Journeyman Suite is out now on ABC Jazz.

 Romano Crivici and Carla Thackrah with the last violin.

Music in this program:

Title: String Quartet No. 4 ‘Undercurrents’Artist: Elektra String QuartetComposer: Romano CriviciAlbum: Ebb & FlowLabel: ABC Classics ABCL0015D

Title: Let it Go Artist: Allie OsborneComposer: Romano CriviciAlbum: The Vatiliotis Collection: music from The Last ViolinLabel: No-Self Records

Title: Ecstasy of CloudsArtist: Elektra String QuartetComposer: Romano CriviciAlbum: Flat EarthLabel: ABC Classics 4657042

Titles: Blow; Torment; The one less travelled by...; The BalladierArtist: AR Big Band & String QuartetComposer: Andrew RobertsonAlbum: The Journeyman Suite Label: ABC Jazz ABCJ0031D

Title: Symphony for Big Band; 3rd Movement Artist: AR Big BandComposer: Andrew RobertsonAlbum: The Journeyman Suite Label: ABC Jazz ABCJ0031D

Technical production by Emrys Cronin, Isabella Tropiano, and John Jacobs

The Music Show is made on Gadigal and Gundungurra Country

Good times and bum times, she’s seen them all and she’s here: Geraldine Turner, lynchpin of the Australian music theatre scene from 1970s repertory to the current run of The Mousetrap, reflects on her massive career (so far), her love of Sondheim, and Judy Garland.

Geraldine Turner is performing in The Mousetrap until 15 September. 

Music heard in the program:

Title: I’m Still Here (Follies)Composer: Stephen SondheimArtist: Geraldine TurnerAlbum: Great Australian Voices: Geraldine TurnerLabel: Désirée Records - GAV 008

Title: Down With LoveComposer: music Harold Arlen, lyrics Yip HarburgArtist: Geraldine TurnerAlbum: Great Australian Voices: Geraldine TurnerLabel: Désirée Records - GAV 008

Title: All That Jazz (Chicago)Composer: music John Kander, lyrics Fred EbbArtist: Geraldine TurnerAlbum: Great Australian Voices: Geraldine TurnerLabel: Désirée Records - GAV 008

Title: Sondheim Medley: The Little Things You Do Together (Company) - We're Gonna Be Alright (Do I Hear A Waltz-) - Could I Leave You (Follies)Composer: Stephen Sondheim, Richard RogersArtist: Geraldine TurnerAlbum: Great Australian Voices: Geraldine TurnerLabel: Désirée Records - GAV 008

Title: It Never Was YouComposer: music Kurt Weill, lyrics Maxwell AndersonArtist: Judy GarlandAlbum: That’s Entertainment!Label: Capitol Records - CDP 7 48426 2

Title: Being Alive (Company)Composer: Stephen SondheimArtist: Geraldine TurnerAlbum: Great Australian Voices: Geraldine TurnerLabel: Désirée Records - GAV 008

The Music Show Is produced on Gadigal and Gundungurra Country

Technical production by Bethany Stewart and Nathan Turnbull

Friend of The Music Show Kate Fagan’s new book of poetry is entitled Song in the Grass and it’s full of music. She returns to the show to talk about the book, the relationship between her musical and poetic writing, and her enduring connection to folk artists Peggy Seeger and Lisa O’Neill. 

The ABC’s iconic old News theme is new again: a new version by sound designer David McDonald puts a fresh lick of paint on Peter Wall and the late Tony Ansell’s 1980s bulletin soundtrack. David and Peter join Andy to talk about what makes a news theme work. 

Song in the Grass is published by Giramondo Books. Kate launches the book at Margaret Whitlam Galleries in Parramatta on 29 August. 

Music heard in the show: 

Title: Majestic FanfareArtist: Sydney Symphony Orchestra/Stuart ChallenderComposer: Charles WilliamsAlbum: Classic ABC TV & Radio ThemesLabel: ABC Classics 4724462

Title: ABC News ThemeArtist: Tony Ansell & Peter WallComposer: Tony Ansell, Peter WallAlbum: Classic ABC TV & Radio ThemesLabel: ABC Classics 4724462

Title: JJJ News ThemeComposer: Paul McKercher, John JacobsCourtesy of Triple J

Title: Gotta Get Home By MidnightArtist: Peggy SeegerComposer: Peggy SeegerAlbum: First FarewellLabel: Red Grape Music

Title: All Of This Is ChanceArtist: Lisa O’NeillComposer: Lisa O’NeillAlbum: All Of This Is ChanceLabel: Rough Trade Records

Title: ABC News ThemeArtist: Tony Ansell & Peter WallComposer: Tony Ansell, Peter WallAlbum: Classic ABC TV & Radio ThemesLabel: ABC Classics 4724462

Title: ABC News Theme (Pendulum Remix)Artist: Pendulum, Tony Ansell & Peter WallComposer: Tony Ansell & Peter WallAlbum: Pendulum Remix (single)Label: single release

Title: ABC News Theme (2024)Composer: Tony Ansell, Peter Wall and David McDonaldCourtesy of the ABC

The Music Show is made on Gadigal and Gundungurra Country

Technical production by Bethany Stewart and Nathan Turnbull

Harnessing looping pedals, percussion and vocal manipulation, Tune-Yards make a very big sound for a core membership of two people. It's been ten years since the experimental pop project released their third album Nikki Nack and creepy hit Water Fountain. Songwriter and singer Merrill Garbus is on The Music Show to talk about the duo's complex rhythms, vocal athleticism, and how to play with words.

What does it take to start your own record label in this economy? Andrew Ford chats to two people who did just this—Coco Eke was involved in the early days of First Nations label Bad Apples and pianist and composer Nat Bartsch's new label Amica focuses on 'kind' music. We find out what exactly a record label does, why they still have a role in the age of streaming, and what success can look like for an independent artist.

Nat Bartsch launches her new album Forever Changed on Saturday 16 November.

Tune-Yards' 10th anniversary Deluxe Edition of Nikki Nack is out now via 4AD/Remote Control Records.

And you can find more information about the Bush Music Fund here.

Music in the program:

Title: Heart AttackComposer: Merrill GarbusArtist: Tune-YardsAlbum: I Can Feel You Creep Into My Private LifeLabel: 4AD 0052

Title: Water FountainComposer: Merrill Garbus, Nate BrennerArtist: Tune-YardsAlbum: Nikki NackLabel: 4AD CAD3414CD

Title: Water Fountain (Live)Composer: Merrill Garbus, Nate Brenner, arranged by Kristopher FultonArtist: Vancouver Youth Choir

Title: BiznessComposer: Merrill Garbus, Nate BrennerArtist: Tune-YardsAlbum: w h o k i l lLabel: 4AD CAD3106

Title: Hey LifeComposer: Merrill Garbus, Nate BrennerArtist: Tune-YardsAlbum: Nikki NackLabel: 4AD CAD3414CD

Title: PowaComposer: Merrill GarbusArtist: Tune-YardsAlbum: w h o k i l lLabel: 4AD CAD3106

Title: hypnotizedComposer: Merrill Garbus, Nate BrennerArtist: Tune-YardsAlbum: sketchy.Label: 4AD 4AD0309

Title: Hope (for orchestra)Composer: Nat BartschArtist: Budapest Art Orchestra, conducted by Peter PejtsikAlbum: (Single)Label: Amica AMI006

Title: Na​-​kalamandjardaComposer: Rona Lawrence and Jodie KellArtist: Ripple Effect BandAlbum: (Single)Label: Independent

The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Turrbal and Yuggera Country

Technical production by Russell Stapleton and Bethany Stewart

Legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock returns to The Music Show. He’s a bandleader, a composer and a professor, and at the age of 84 he’s got one of the longest living memories in the jazz world. He joins Andy to remember collaborators like Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter, and to ask whether jazz can be a path towards peace. 

Tenzin Choegyal is a Tibetan multi-instrumentalist, and as he shares Tibetan music and story around the world he’s become a sort of activist by default. His new album Whispering Sky is the product of slow, experimental recording process across Australia, Japan, Canada and the UK which blends the voices of international collaborators with his nomadic Tibetan roots. 

Herbie Hancock is in Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth in October. 

Whispering Sky is out now via 4000 Records.

Music heard in the show:

Title: Kailish Roof of the WorldArtist: Tenzin Choegyal feat. Tony White and Evie Composer: Tenzin ChoegyalAlbum: Whispering SkyLabel: 4000 Records

Title: The Sorcerer Artist: Miles Davis (trumpet), Wayne Shorter (tenor sax), Herbie Hancock (piano), Ron Carter (bass), Tony Williams (drums)Composer: Herbie HancockAlbum: SorcererLabel: Columbia CK 65 680

Title: Visitor from NowhereArtist: Herbie Hancock & Wayne ShorterComposer: Herbie Hancock & Wayne ShorterAlbum: 1 + 1Label: Verve Records 537 564-2

Title: RiverArtist: Corinne Bailey Rae (vocals), Herbie Hancock (piano), Wayne Shorter (soprano sax), Lionel Loueke (guitar), Dave Holland (bass), Vinnie Colaiuta (drums)Composer: Joni MitchellAlbum: River: The Joni LettersLabel: Verve Records – B0009791-02

Title: Dolma Whispering SkyArtist: Tenzin Choegyal feat. Taro Terahara and Manao DoiComposer: Tenzin ChoegyalAlbum: Whispering SkyLabel: 4000 Records

Title: Gyallu Tibetan AnthemArtist: Tenzin Choegyal feat. Matt Antal and Metta StringsComposer: TraditionalAlbum: Whispering SkyLabel: 4000 Records

Title: Jampa A Big HugArtist: Tenzin Choegyal feat. Hico Natsuaki and Tenzin KunsangComposer: Tenzin ChoegyalAlbum: Whispering SkyLabel: 4000 Records

The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, Turrbal and Yuggera Country

Technical production by Russell Stapleton and Bethany Stewart

For someone referred to as "the Queen of Jazz" and "First Lady of Song", there's a surprising amount we don't know about legendary jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald. She didn't fit the image of a star: she was incredibly polite, avoided drugs and swearing, and kept her private life entirely private. But when she sang, people listened. Her clear diction, perfect intonation and master of scat singing made her one of the greatest vocalists of the 20th century.  

Music historian and author of Becoming Ella Fitzgerald: The Jazz Singer Who Transformed American Song Judith Tick reveals as much as she can about the great singer.

Music heard in the show:

Title: Lover, Come Back to MeArtist: Ella FitzgeraldComposer: Sigmund Romberg (music), Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics)Album: Sweet And HotLabel: Decca DL8155

Title: A-Tisket, A-TasketArtist: Ella Fitzgerald & the Chick Webb OrchestraComposer: trad., embellished by Ella Fitzgerald and Al FeldmanAlbum: A-Tisket, A-TasketLabel: Decca S8140

Title: Oh, Lady Be GoodArtist: Ella FitzgeraldComposer: George Gershwin, Ira GershwinAlbum: Lullabies of Birdland Label: Decca DL8149

Title: Oh, Lady Be GoodArtist: Ella FitzgeraldComposer: George Gershwin (music), Ira Gershwin (lyrics)Album: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George & Ira Gershwin SongbookLabel: Verve MG V-4029

Title: Ev’ry Time We Say GoodbyeArtist: Ella FitzgeraldComposer: Cole PorterAlbum: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter SongbookLabel: Verve MG V-4001

Title: Cheek to CheekArtist: Ella Fitzgerald & Louis ArmstrongComposer: Irving BerlinAlbum: Ella & LouisLabel: Verve MG V-4003

Title: Mack the KnifeArtist: Ella FitzgeraldComposer: Kurt WeillAlbum: Mack the Knife: Ella in BerlinLabel: Verve MG V-4041

Title: Cry Me A RiverArtist: Ella Fitzgerald & Joe PassComposer: Arthur HamiltonAlbum: Duets in Hannover 1975Label: Impro-Jazz IJ 546

Technical production by Simon Branthwaite, Tim James and Roi Huberman

The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country

Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto makes a welcome return to The Music Show, this time with American singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane. They talk about collaborating and songwriting and perform live in the studio; and Pekka tells us about completing and conducting a symphony by his late brother, Jaakko Kuusisto.

When was the last time you sat down and listened to a record from start to finish? And when did you last do that in a room with other people? In Japan, people have been gathering in ongaku kissaten (‘music cafes’) for 100 years. They drink coffee and listen to records, usually in silence and always on very high quality sound systems. Nick Dwyer is the director of a new documentary series called A Century in Sound which is being screened at Melbourne International Film Festival. It takes us into three of these cafes in Tokyo to reveal the proprietors, the records, the customers and the role that these dedicated listening spaces play in the life of a busy city. 

Pekka Kuusisto and Gabriel Kahane are on tour as Council with Musica Viva Australia from 6-17 August. 

A Century In Sound screens at Melbourne International Film Festival on 18 and 20 August. 

Music in this program: 

Title: India And On Down To Australia Composer: Laurie Anderson feat. ANOHNIArtist: Laurie AndersonAlbum: Amelia (forthcoming, due 30 August)Label: Nonesuch

Title: Märchentänze III: A Skylark for JaneComposer: Thomas AdèsArtist: Pekka Kuusisto, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Nicholas CollonAlbum: Adès: Orchestral WorksLabel: Ondine ODE 14112

Title: BaedekerComposer: Gabriel KahaneArtist: Gabriel KahaneAlbum: Book of TravelersLabel: Nonesuch 571525-2

Title: Symphony, Op. 39; II. Lento (Live)Composer: Jaakko KuusistoArtist: Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Pekka KuusistoAlbum: Kuusisto: Symphony, Op. 39, Pictured Within & Birthday Variations for M.C.B.Label: BIS 2747

Title: Bright Forms (Live)Composer: Pekka Kuusisto and Gabriel KahaneArtist: Council Performed live in The Music Show studio 

Title: Piano Concerto No. 21 In C Major, K. 467, I. Allegro MaestosoComposer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Artist: Walter Klien piano, Mainzer Kammerorchester, Günter Kehr conductorAlbum: Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 In C Major, K. 467Label: Turnabout TV-S 34504

Title: An Oscar For Treadwell (Alternate Take)Composer: Charlie ParkerArtist: Charlie Parker and Dizzy GillespieAlbum: Bird and DizLabel: Mercury MGC-512

Title: Walk, Don't RunComposer: Johnny SmithArtist: The VenturesAlbum: Walk Don't RunLabel: Dolton Records BST 8003

Title: DakishimetaiComposer: Eiichi Ohtaki and Takashi MatsumotoArtist: Happy EndAlbum: Kazemachi RomanLabel: URC URG-4009

Technical production by Simon Branthwaite, Tim James, and Roi Huberman

The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country

How The Saints and Radio Birdman paved the way for punk and independent music in Australia.