The duo of Damon Poppleton (alto saxophone) and Kevin Hunt (piano) explores the jazz tradition with an approach that emphasizes generosity and spirit, creating a sound that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
About the Artists:
Damon Poppleton – A jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader based in Sydney.
Kevin Hunt – A renowned jazz pianist-composer, performing in the Sydney jazz scene since 1979. He frequently collaborates with Emma Pask and Simon Tedeschi and teaches jazz studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Kevin’s recent PhD research, Perceptions of the Stuart & Sons Piano: Realising a Creative, Active Vision, explores the unique sound of the Australian-made Stuart & Sons piano. His work has led to collaborations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians, inspiring the annual OUR MUSIC Indigenous music program at the Sydney Conservatorium.
Winner of the 2019 James Morrison Jazz Scholarship, Damon Poppleton is an accomplished jazz saxophonist and composer. He recently completed his studies in jazz performance at the Sydney Conservatorium and was awarded the 2023 Barry Stewart Prize for Most Outstanding Jazz Student.
In 2024, Damon successfully auditioned for the Australian National Youth Jazz Orchestra, performing alongside Grammy-nominated saxophonist and composer Remy Le Boeuf at the Sydney Conservatorium International Jazz Festival.
Damon leads the Damon Poppleton Quartet, whose debut album, Substation Lookout (April 2024), showcases his original compositions. The album received 4.5 stars from Barry O’Sullivan (Fine Music Magazine), who praised it as “a handsome debut recording with some stellar moments displaying their obvious talent and premature sophistication.”