PJS is thrilled to be co-presenting the Lyric Lane Jazz Festival with Jess Herbert. 3 nights of incredible local jazz! On Friday May 27th you can catch:

6-7pm: Nick Abbey Quintet

Since arriving from Melbourne in 2006, bassist/composer Nick Abbey has become an integral fixture of the WA jazz scene. Not only a well-known, charismatic, and eminently reliable sideman, this PhD recipient, 2022 APRA PDA finalist, 2020 Freedman Jazz Fellowship nominee, four-time WAM Jazz Song of the Year winner, and 2015 National Jazz Awards semi-finalist is also a compelling artistic voice in his own right. Building from the foundation of his long running trio, this performance is the debut outing for Nick’s new quintet project, which brings together five exemplary musicians who have worked together in various guises over many years and have developed a deep musical and personal connection. Expect a captivating blend of lush harmonies, emotive melodies, dynamic rhythmic interplay, and fiery improvisations as the group tackle a suite of Nick’s brand-new compositions, which take influence from artists like Brad Mehldau, Pat Metheny, Aaron Parks, Kurt Rosenwinkle, e.s.t., Shai Maestro, and Wolfgang Muthspiel. Nick Abbey – bass Ricki Malet – trumpet Jeremy Thomson – guitar Chris Foster – piano Daniel Susnjar – drums

7.40-8.40pm: The Artemis Orchestra

Gemma Farrell founded the Artemis Orchestra in 2017 with the hope of promoting people of marginalised genders in jazz as musicians, soloists and composers. Less than a quarter of all professional jazz musicians worldwide are female, and even less are non-binary and transgender, and this is something that we hope will change for the better in future. The goal is that having an ensemble like this, which is predominately made up of professional female musicians and includes non-binary musicians, will inspire young people of marginalised genders in Perth to consider taking on a career in jazz. In 2021 they released their debut album “The Elephant in the Room” with ten original works by Western Australian women. The album was RTRFM local feature album for a week in June, and their album launch sold out. It was also featured on ABC Jazz Radio and received a five-star review in Dingo Australian Jazz Journal.

9.20-10.20pm: Bad Whip

Bad Whip is the improvisational dance music duo of Alex Reid (drums) and Josiah Padmanabhan (synths) of prominent Perth outfit Grievous Bodily Calm. The partner setting allows the duo to explore pure improvisation and reactivity within a drum machine techno driven universe. Bad Whip acts as a means to create spontaneous composition and to test the boundaries of their musical connection formed over the last five years of intense writing, recording and performing together. Bad Whip have played festivals such as the Wave Rock Weekender and RTRFM’s Radiothon as well as numerous residency’s around town. The future will see Bad Whip recording their debut effort and further experimentation in the interface between produced and live music. Alex Reid - Drums, Drum Machine Josiah Padmanabhan - Synths