Alistair Johnston Quartet with Alister Spence – Thursday, 10th of August, 2023:
Alistair Johnston is an exciting emerging tenor saxophonist on the Sydney jazz scene. Johnston has been busy in recent years performing a recording with other projects Anoesis and Strands. Johnstons quartet featuring Miles Rooney, Harry Birch, and Ryu Kodama released their debut album in June 2023. The AJQ seeks to explore the compositional and improvisational possibilities when removing chordal accompaniment, with the band sound traversing composed complex melodies and forms, free improvisations, and intimately sparse passages.
For this special night, the AJQ will be joining forces with guest pianist Alister Spence. Spence has established a reputation as a pre-eminent creative force in jazz and improvised music in Australia and beyond. With a performing and composing career spanning more than 25 years, his wide-ranging talents have led him to perform with and compose for some of the world’s most respected artists in contemporary music, improvisation, film, and theatre. We will be performing material from our new album as well as some new compositions.
“I love the chordless format but I do sometimes wonder what this music would sound like with piano. I wanted to do a special gig before relocating to New York to study. I’ve always admired Alister’s playing from listening to his trio and from my time in his ensembles at University. I’m really honored that Alister is keen to play my music and I’m excited to hear what will happen!” – Alistair Johnston
- Alistair Johnston – Tenor Saxophone
- Alister Spence – Piano
- Jacques Emery – Double Bass
- Ryu Kodama- Drums
