Sionnach Rua’s Great Irish Song Book is an authentic music and story catalogue, interwoven with tales of Irish traditions and histories.
Sionnach Rua’s Great Irish Songbook
After a massively successful first year of shows ‘Sionnach Rua’s Great Irish Songbook’ return to Tasmania with a brand new show in 2023.
Having also played venues and festivals in NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria the band now have been busy rehearsing and writing a brand new show for audiences to enjoy.
Gallie (vocals, Bazouki, Bodhran, Guitars) has gathered around him a pool of the best musicians that Australia has to offer.
They continue to draw on the ancient Irish tradition of story telling and music, now expanded their set to include original material, tunes and songs that go back centuries and of course all the classics from The Dubliners to the Pogues and everything in between.
Sionnach Rua will be going into the studio to record their highly anticipated debut album late in 2023.
Saturday 19 August 2023 7:30pm – 10:00pm (Doors open at 7pm) Live @ The Founders Room Salamanca Arts Centre Entry via Wooby’s Lane, or for lift access enter through The Courtyard
Two of the state’s most in-demand jazz trombonists, plus a rhythm section comprising of some of Tasmania’s grooviest jazz musos present an evening of gorgeously arranged standards, originals from the band, and a few surprises. Expect everything from J.J. Johnston to Joni Mitchell, featuring Louise Denson, Joe Weller, Stevie McEntee, Sasha Gavlek and Konrad Park.
The trombone was recently voted Australia’s 30th favorite instrument in ABC Classic FM’s top 100 instrument competition. Stevie and Joe intend to change Australia’s mind, one performance at a time, and are backed by a superstar band of some of Tasmania’s finest rhythm section players. Come and hear why we reckon the trombone should be #1 – and experience the gorgeous versatility of this unique and unusual instrument!
Louise Denson – piano Joe Weller – trombone Stevie McEntee – trombone Sash Gavlek – bass Konrad Park – drums
Doors & Bar open at 7pm
Music begins at 7.30pm The Founders Room Salamanca Arts Centre [ Enter via the stairs off Wooby’s lane, or take the lift from the Salamanca Arts Centre Courtyard ]
Tickets are only $25 ea +BF or buy four tickets for only $80 +BF
Louise Denson is a Hobart-based pianist/composer/arranger/educator working in jazz and classical music. She has released seven CDs – Nova Nova (2021) earned 4-stars in the Weekend Australian Review. Completed commissions include Clarence Jazz Festival (2023), Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (2022), Vera Scarth-Johnson Gallery Association (Cooktown, 2021), Brisbane International Jazz Festival (2018) and others. Her works have been performed/recorded by artists including Viney-Grinberg Duo, Muses Trio, Downbeat poll-winning trombonist Bill Watrous, Bell Award-winning vocalist Elly Hoyt, and Southern Cross Soloists. She is an Represented Artist with the Australian Music Centre and is published by Wirripang.
Joe Weller is a freelance trombonist based in Hobart. At a young age he discovered a passion for playing trombone which led him to undertake studies at the Conservatorium of Music in Hobart and during this time he quickly established himself on the Hobart music scene. He has since gone onto perform and record with many local, interstate and international acts at different festivals and locations all around Tasmania, these include local acts Kudu Joy, Matthew Ives And His Big Band and The Sasha Gavlek Quartet, interstate act Hot Dub Time Machine and the Japanese artist Tomoko Momiyama and festivals such as The Clarence Jazz Festival, Devonport Jazz Festival, Junction Arts Festival, Dark Mofo, Panama and Party in the Paddock. Joe is constantly working on his craft to ensure that he can continue to be one of the first names called whenever a trombonist is needed in Hobart.
Stevie McEntee is a non-binary trombonist, composer, bandleader, festival director and creative producer. Originally from Mount Gambier in South Australia, they graduated with a Bachelor degree in Jazz Performance from the Elder Conservatory (Adelaide) in 2012. By day they work as the founder and artistic director of the Lutruwita Art Orchestra and as the co-artistic director of the Clarence Jazz Festival (Tasmania’s biggest jazz festival), and by night they lead Hobart’s very own 12-piece all-original Afrobeat-danceband, Baba Bruja, and play trombone in the hugely popular reggae-fusion band Boil Up, regularly collaborating with some of the most loved jazz musicians on the island, as well as writing and conducting music for projects and major festivals across the island of Tasmania. Before relocating to Hobart in 2016 Stevie toured Europe and South-East Asia with Adelaide-based afrobeat legends, the Shaolin Afronauts, and spent two years living and touring in India with musicians and bands from around the world. Stevie has led successful CACD and musical projects that have attracted the support of Arts Tasmania, the Australia Council, the Regional Arts Fund, Regional Arts Tasmania, Creative Hobart (Hobart City Council) and Festivals Australia. They strive to create platforms and opportunities for collaboration with artists from diverse cultural backgrounds and diverse genders and make music that reflects and celebrates the best bits of being human.
A queer femme, lover of soup, Sasha Gavlek is a contemporary bassist, bandleader, composer, and educator hailing from Hobart. With a love for alternative jazz and rhythmic madness, Gavlek pours her soul into her compositions and improvisational work, exploring themes of personal struggles and growth, as can be seen in her debut album, On Second Thoughts. An active member within the island state’s music scene, Gavlek is a part of several regularly performing acts outside of her own alt jazz quartet including Kudu Joy, Uncle Gus and the Rimshots, and FFLORA, and is a regular performer at annual events such as Dark Mofo, Mona Foma, Clarence Jazz Festival, A Festival Called Panama, and the Taste of Tasmania to name a few. On a Contemporary Music Performance scholarship, Gavlek graduated from the UTAS Conservatorium of music with a Bachelor of Music in 2019. When she’s not performing, she is tutoring bass and providing musical accompaniment across local schools.
Konrad Park is a nationally recognised drum kit artist who is a passionate performer, teacher and composer. He has over four decades of experience backing leading artists including Multi Grammy award winner Lucky Oceans and vocal great Leo deCastro, through to the contemporary music of Brian Ritchie’s Shakuhachi Club and the visceral blues power of Billy Warner Band. Konrad studied composition at the University of Tasmania from 2014 to 2020 under Dr. Maria Grenfell. He is equally focused on live performance and his teaching practice, sustaining ensemble and private lessons at Claremont College, Friends and Elizabeth College. Konrad’s principal focus as an instrumental tutor, is to expand the students musical grammar and confidence, eventually becoming independent artists who will forge their own individual path. He continues to perform original live instrumental music, directing his many ensembles in a variety of styles. These include modern jazz with the Konrad Park Quartet, Big Small Band (hard bop), The Schwing Thing (post fusion electric jazz rock), Simon Patterson Trio (modern jazz).
Konrad lived in Melbourne from 2008-14, experiencing highlights such as backing David Campbell and Marina Prior for the MSO. He recorded at the ABC for Mal Stanley’s Jazz Track program, with the Tim Neal Trio, a Hammond organ featuring Simon Patterson on guitar. Konrad’s studies at UTAS have greatly furthered his musical aims and compositions skills. He writes from his second instrument, the Chapman Stick, a ten-string tapping instrument. As a UTAS student, Konrad has been able to write more prolifically for his various ensembles. As a Chapman Stick artist, Konrad aka Stickrad, writes and performs his compositions with Stickrad Quintet, to audiences in search of a new listening experience. As co-artistic director of Southern Stick Events, Konrad brought international “Stickists” Bob Culbertson to Australia three times since 2007, for teaching seminars and Stick Night concerts. Konrad continues to compose and have a performance career on the Chapman Stick. A collaboration with the internationally acclaimed drum kit artist Terry Bozzio, is planned for 2025 culminating in a work for concert band, extended modern drum kit and Chapman stick. Konrad is now based in Hobart, Tasmania and continues to back local and interstate artists from a wide variety of backgrounds. Konrad’s musical diversity allows him to contribute on multiple fronts, to Tasmania’s dynamic and rich musical legacy.
Live Jazz is part of Salamanca Arts Centre’s Public Program, and is supported by the City of Hobart’s Cultural Grants Program.
Introducing Vietnamese-owned businesses, events, and places in Tasmania to newcomers in the community.
A place to network and get to know the Vietnamese community in Hobart and Tasmania.
Saturday 29 July 2023 7:30pm – 10:00pm (Doors open at 7pm) Live @ The Founders Room Salamanca Arts Centre Entry via Wooby’s Lane, or for lift access enter through The Courtyard
We welcome the return of delightful songbird Mia Palencia and her ensemble of renown: Matt Boden, Hamish Houston and Tom Robb, from their highly successful concert at Salamanca Arts Centre in June 2022.
Keep warm with Salamanca Jazz in July ~ The Mia Palencia Quartet [ + featured guest Andrew Saragossi on tenor saxophone]
Live in the Founders Room Saturday 29th July 2023
Mia Palencia + Matt Boden [ piano ] + Hamish Houston [ d/bass ] + Tom Robb [ drums ] + Andrew Saragossi [ tenor sax ]
Malaysian born Mia tours extensively, records regularly and teaches singing continuously. The empathy she shares with the band guarantees another outstanding performance. This is not to be missed. The quartet will be joined in this concert by featured guest, Andrew Saragossi.
Doors & Bar open at 7pm Music begins at 7.30pm The Founders Room Salamanca Arts Centre [ Enter via the stairs off Wooby’s lane, or take the lift from the Salamanca Arts Centre Courtyard ]
Tickets are only $25 ea +BF or buy four tickets for only $80 +BF.
Live Jazz is part of Salamanca Arts Centre’s Public Program, which is supported by the City of Hobart Cultural Grants Program.
Saturday 27 May 2023 7:30pm – 10:00pm (Doors open at 7pm) Live @ The Founders Room Salamanca Arts Centre Entry via Wooby’s Lane, or for lift access enter through The Courtyard
Members of the Hobart Wind Symphony, directed by Simon Reade, celebrate the great diversity of Australian chamber music written for winds, brass and percussion including the title work for the concert, Interactions, by Don Kay.
This concert features Australian works by 8 composers, with a particular focus on the works of Don Kay in his 90th year.
Simon Reade directs members of the Hobart Wind Symphony in chamber works by Simon Barber, Holly Caldwell, Sacha Flores, Karlin Greenstreet-Love, Russell Gilmour, Don Kay, Simon Reade, Peter Sculthorpe and Helen Wanders, including four world premieres.
Image: Tamara Kuldin
Friday 19 May 2023 7pm – 11pm
The Founders Room Salamanca Arts Centre Enter via Wooby’s Lane, or for lift access enter through The Courtyard
A swinging evening of great jazz classics from Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong featuring Tamara Kuldin, Paul Coyle, Matt Boden, Damien Kingston, Hamish Houston, and Tom Robb.
Acclaimed Australian jazz vocalist Tamara Kuldin and renowned trumpet player and vocalist Paul Coyle take to the stage to honour the First Lady of Song Ella Fitzgerald and innovative performer Louis ‘Satchmo’ Armstrong, in their special tribute ‘Cheek to Cheek’.
Enchanted by the sass and sophistication of the golden age
and era of song, Tamara Kuldin has been captivating audiences from Melbourne to Europe with a playful yet sultry twist on vintage jazz and blues. Paul Coyle is known for his dynamic stage presence and eclectic approach to music. Tamara and Paul will be joined by some of Tasmania’s finest jazz musicians, including Matt Boden, Damien Kingston, Hamish Houston, and Tom Robb,
Tamara Kuldin and her love for storytelling through song has seen her perform for audiences large and small, fronting a Jazz Orchestra at the Arts Centre or playing one of Australia’s intimate jazz clubs. Tamara’s unique and versatile vocal styling has been enjoyed at many different festivals and venues globally, from the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Melbourne Recital Centre, Paris to Provence festival and many more.
Recognised with 2 Aria Awards, Paul Coyle’s affinity for both Reggae and Indigenous rock has led him to share the stage and record with numerous pop acts including Little Birdy, Kate Cebrano, Tina Arena, and Sheppard. Coyle is known for his ever charismatic and sensational trumpet playing and is an active member of the Australian music scene.
‘Cheek to Cheek’ is an extra sweet melodic treat, bringing its audience a night of timeless tunes and delightful standards from the Great American Songbook. The inspired collaboration at the Founder’s Room will be a swingin’ joy to behold!
Photo: Jacob Collings
Friday 28 April 2023 8pm (Doors open at 7.30pm)
The Founders Room Salamanca Arts Centre Enter via Wooby’s Lane, or for lift access enter through The Courtyard
Tickets: $20/$15 concession, available on the door.
FFLORA launches their fresh film clips, with support from Grace Chia and L$F.
FFLORA is excited to launch their new music videos, which have been months in the making. Sharing the evening with an energetic line up of Grace Chia and wrapping up with L$F.
Presented by Salamanca Arts Centre
This concert, performed by Ensemble Mania, is the third in the String Quartets # 1 Project (which was launched at Salamanca Arts Centre in August 2021).
Three Tasmanian String Quartets # 1 Saturday 26 August 2023 7.30pm – 9.00pm Doors at 7pm Peacock Theatre
Ensemble Mania comprise Peter Tanfield | 1st violin Josh Farner | 2nd violin Damien Holloway | viola James Anderson | cello
This concert program showcases the first string quartets by Tasmanian composers
Program
Simon Reade | String Quartet (Alba)
Marian Stankiewicz | Stanisław: String Quartet No. 1
Raffæle Marcellino | String Quartet No. 1
Program notes
Simon Reade – String Quartet (Alba)
Alba (Aubade)
Hyperion’s clear star is not yet risen.
Dawn brings a tenuous light across the earth,
The watcher to the sleeper cries, “Arise!”
Dawn over the dark sea brings on the sun;
She leans across the hilltop: see, the light!
Behold the ambush of the enemy
Stealing to take the heedless in their sleep,
And still the herald’s voice that cries “Arise!”
Dawn over the dark sea brings on the sun;
She leans across the hilltop: see, the light!
The North wind from Acturus now blows free,
The stars go into hiding in the sky,
And nearer to the sunrise swings the Plough.
Dawn over the dark sea brings on the sun;
She leans across the hilltop: see, the light!
(10th Century Manuscript,
English translation, Helen Waddell)
Marian Stankiewicz – Stanisław: String Quartet No. 1
Of the twelve works composed by Marian Stankiewicz in his short career, three are string quartets. The first of these is his 1974 quartet Stanisław, a name of Slavic origin that could be in reference to any number of people. The work is composed in four movements and employs some unique playing techniques and notation choices, particularly in the final movement which appears rhythmically freer with misaligned rhythmic values and very few barlines. (Program note by Dominic Flynn).
Raffæle Marcellino – String Quartet No. 1
This work was commissioned by Vincent Moleta for the 2003 Blackwood River Chamber Festival in West Australia, performed by Trigon Ensemble. The three movements are defined by their rhythmic style and temporal space. The musical premise for each movement can be described through the concepts of a:
1. dance, as a way of defining and traversing 2-dimensional space,
2. nocturne, with subtle lyricism as a proxy for moonlight and introspection, and
3. perpetuum mobile, of motoric iteration that defines space at the smallest dimension which invokes a larger continuum
Performers’ Biographies
Ensemble Mania was created with the goal to provide a unique listening experience in Tasmania, showcasing music that would otherwise not be heard on the island, while exemplifying the possibilities of a richer, more diverse music scene. This music includes the latest, most exciting composers, to the pillars of Australian modernism and lost masterpieces.
Born in England in 1961, Peter Tanfield started the violin aged four. He studied in Germany, Israel, Switzerland and Holland where his teachers were Igor Ozim, Felix Andrievski, Alberto Lysy, Herman Krebbers and Yehudi Menuhin. As soloist and chamber musician Tanfield has performed throughout Europe, China, Japan, India, Canada, the Middle East, Africa, USA and USSR. He was a prize-winner at The Carl Flesh International Competition, International Mozart Competition and International Bach Competition. He has recorded solo and chamber works for television and radio as well as CD. He has played for Chairman Deng Xiaoping in China and the Sultan of Oman. Tanfield led the Australian String Quartet from 1998 until 2001. As a soloist Tanfield has appeared with many orchestras; the Philharmonia, City of London Sinfonia, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the RAI National Symphony Orchestra in Rome. As concertmaster he has worked with the BBC Philharmonic, RAI National Symphony Orchestra, Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. He has performed with Astor Piazolla, Charlie Watts, Pinchas Zukerman, Yehudi Menuhin, Charles Wuorinen, Arvo Pärt, Graeme Koehne, Gary Carr, Carlo Maria Giulini, Mark Gasser and Itzhak Perlman.
Joshua Farner is from Hobart, Tasmania, and began playing the violin at the age of nine. Following completion of a Bachelor of Engineering with 1st class Honours, he was awarded a University of Tasmania String Scholarship and commenced a Bachelor of Music under the tutelage of Dr. Susan Collins. Josh has performed with the Tasmanian Discovery Orchestra and the Australian International Symphony Orchestra Institute (AISOI), and regularly performs as section leader and concertino player with the Hobart Chamber Orchestra. In 2018 Josh was awarded the D & MV McDonald Scholarship in Music from the University of Tasmania, allowing him to travel to London to study under renowned pedagogues Simon Fischer and David Takeno.
Damien Holloway studied viola in Hobart with Keith Crellin, Simon Oswell and Jan Sedivka, followed by postgraduate studies in Brisbane with Elizabeth Morgan. He played viola with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and was a founding member of Camerata of St Johns (Brisbane). He is principal viola of the Hobart Chamber Orchestra, and regularly fosters the performance of new music.
James Anderson is currently studying a Master of Teaching at the University of Tasmania, having completed his Bachelor of Music in 2018 studying under Sue-Ellen Paulsen. James has previously performed in the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Youth Orchestra, the Australian International Symphony Orchestra Institute, the Jan Sedivka Camerata, and the Tasmanian Discovery Orchestra. In 2018 James worked with the ensemble Musik Fabrik in Cologne, while also spending time at the Royal Conservatory of Den Hague in the Netherlands.
Composers’ biographies
Simon Reade is a conductor, composer, educator, and trumpet player. He has filled commissions from the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra, the Festival of Voices (Tasmania), IHOS opera, the Hobart Chamber Orchestra, the Derwent Valley Band and the Tasmanian Composer’s Festival, amongst others. His music has been performed by such eminent performers as; Michael Kieran Harvey, Jabra Latham, Diego Campagna, Maurizio Barbetti, Duo Porto-Frontini, Luca Ferrini & Joze Kotar, Benjamin Price and Dr Matthew van Emmerik.
Marian Stankiewicz started his brief musical career at the age of fifteen by playing guitar with his father’s dance band. He enrolled at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music in 1972 to study classical guitar and composition, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Music in 1976. After graduation, Stankiewicz taught classical guitar at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music and appeared in a number of concert performances. He died in 1977, at the age of twenty-five.
Raffaele’s music embraces Western art music tradition with eclectic influences from other musical traditions such as jazz and non-western music and folk traditions. He studied composition at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where his teachers included Richard Vella, Gillian Whitehead, Bozidar Kos and Richard Toop. Since graduation Raffaele has built a national and international profile as a composer in various genres of chamber music, orchestral music, opera, music theatre and radio works. He has been awarded various prizes and commissions, including an Australia Council Fellowship and the Lowin Prize for his work Canticle. His music is available through the Australian Music Centre and Universal Music. He has written music for leading Australian and international artists and ensembles, including Ian Munro, The Seymour Group, the Song Company, Pipeline, Australia Ensemble, Halcyon, Sydney Philharmonia Choir and the Brandenburg Orchestra. Career highlights include a UNESCO-sponsored residency in Montreal with Nouvel Ensemble Moderne; the Melbourne Festival premiere of his opera Midnite; 10 Days on the Island premiere of The Flight of Les Darcy; Heart of Fire music for the 2000 broadcast for the Sydney Paralympics; L’Arte di Volare performed by the Tasmanian Sydney Orchestra Strings; the Art of Resonance concerto for tuba performed by Steve Rosse and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra; and the ISCM performance of Maze by Ensemble Modern.
This event is presented by Salamanca Arts Centre and supported by the Commonwealth Government’s Live Music Fund
Salamanca Art Centre’s 2022 programs are supported by the Commonwealth Government’s Office of the Arts via the RISE Fund.
Saturday 25 March 2023 7:30pm – 10:00pm (Doors open at 7pm) The Founders Room Salamanca Arts Centre Enter via Wooby’s Lane, or for lift access enter through The Courtyard
Spike Mason (Wind instruments), Louise Denson (Piano) with Seb Folvig (Bass) and Tom Robb (Drums)
Multi-instrumentalist Spike Mason and pianist/composer Louise Denson are thrilled to be jointly presenting some of their Jazz tunes which have been inspired by the earth, the sea and the sky.
Jazz isn’t always gritty, big-city music.
Float in the interstellar peace of Nova Nova. Contemplate the mystery of a Low Moon. Lie back and watch the Clouds, or a wedge tail Ride the Thermals. Spend a day by the Seamless Sea or the River Jordan ….
