Avondale ensembles to premiere pieces at jazz concert
Bianca Reynaud
Bachelor of Arts student
Avondale College of Higher Education
Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia
A gospel-inspired jazz concert of original music by an Avondale academic performed by two of the college’s ensembles will premiere on November 8.
The Promise with Avondale Jazz Ensemble director David Pudney (second from left).
Credit: Heath Bennett.
The Promise and the Avondale Jazz Ensemble will perform unpublished pieces from jazz ensemble director David Pudney and father-in-law Pr Neil Gough. The two composed the pieces in the 1980s for their local church, Kerugma Christian Fellowship, whose founding members include jazz musician John Morrison and his brother, James, a jazz drummer.
Jesus: HIStory is now a re-appropriation of David and Neil’s collection. David has adapted pieces, mostly solos, adding up to eight-part harmonies, which The Promise artistic director Aleta King describes as “demanding.” “The pieces require a high level of musicianship, but The Promise is up to the challenge.”
The vocal ensemble’s repertoire is predominantly from the classical and contemporary gospel genres, so now they have “an extra string to their bow,” says David Roberts, drummer for the jazz ensemble. “They’ve been a bit of an inspiration,” says David Pudney.
The relationship between The Promise and the Avondale Jazz Ensemble is “symbiotic,” says Aleta. “We’re inspired by the work David’s done, too.”
The jazz ensemble is a more recent addition to the Avondale Conservatorium. It formed this past year and David describes its evolution as “fulfilling.” He is writing for individuals within the ensemble, challenging them. Lachlan Campbell, for example, has the only improvised saxophone solo. “Oh, it’s great!” says David. “I trust him with that.”
The ensembles will record an album featuring David and Neil’s pieces in December this year. The album will launch on March 15 next year.
Jesus: HIStory featuring The Promise and Avondale Jazz Ensemble, 7.28, Avondale College Church Seventh-day Adventist Church, Friday, November 8, 2013, 7.30 PM.