#john pochee

[onejazztrackaday]

Ten Part Invention – And Zen Monk

Ten Part Invention is an Australian jazz ensemble. Formed by drummer John Pochee in 1986, it was a line up of Australian jazz royalty. The band is still around today, over thirty years later, but sadly three of the original line up are no longer with us.

And Zen Monk is the first track on their self titled album from 1990. It was nominated for an ARIA award for Best Jazz Album. It was recorded in 1987 in an ABC radio studio. From the original liner notes:

One day in November 1987 Ten Part Invention gathered in an ABC Studio in Sydney to record a program for “Its All Music”, hosted by Julian Lee. It was not a session where the music would be grafted together through re-recording and overdubs; instead, the band went straight ahead, live to tape, and laid down the first eight works in the band book – all first takes. It is a measure of the brilliance of this group, not only that this was possible, but that it was done so well.

On this album:

John Pochee – Drums (leader)

Bernie McGann* – Alto Saxophone

Bob Bertles – Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Flute

Steve Elphick – Double Bass

Miroslav Bukovsky – Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Warwick Alder – Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Dale Barlow – Flute, Tenor Saxophone

Ken James* – Flute, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone

Roger Frampton* – Piano

James Greening – Trombone

All of these musicians have had a massive influence on the Australian jazz scene.

The opening riff to And Zen Monk has stuck with me since I first bought the album. It was composed by the great Australian jazz pianist Roger Frampton. Frampton’s ingenious composing skills were crucial to the viability of the inception of the group. 

In 1999 Frampton was awarded a Doctorate of Creative Arts from Wollongong University for his thesis exploring co-relations between his composition and improvisation.

Despite diagnosis with a brain tumour in 1999, Frampton continued to perform with various ensembles. He participated in the 1999 Wangaratta Festival of Jazz, performing a concert of his own music with Ten Part Invention. He died at home in January 2000. 

Other members of the group to have died in recent years are both saxophonists. Ken James, and Bernie McGann (who always has a special place In my memory, being the first live jazz act I saw, in the early eighties).

– Bozzie 🎷

[jobinterviewghost]

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When the late entertainment tycoon Robert Stigwood was already a family name, a teenage musician from a little town in Western Australia's Wheatbelt telephoned him at his parents' house.

Bottom line: There were just a couple of Stigwoods in the White Pages and John Read got hold of Stigwood's parents 'number through the business owner's chatty aunt.Mr Read, who is now 70 and retiring as primary executive from his last publishing in the outback shire of Yalgoo, chuckles as he remembers his younger self-confidence approaching the music legend who, among lots of achievements, helped move the Bee Gees to fame. "We were at a motel in Adelaide when I read the local paper that Robert

Stigwood was back in Adelaide, his house town, from London visiting his moms and dads,"Mr Read said." So, I stated to my sis Shirley and the piano player that was with us,'Why

don't we ring him and let him know that we remain in town? '"Stigwood, on the lookout for brand-new talent, welcomed the siblings over and they performed their initial tunes in his parents'lounge space. "Reviewing it now, at that young age, to state, 'Look, I will sound Robert Stigwood and let him know I remain in town', that was

a bit cheeky, "he stated.

Amusing the soldiers It led the set, who carried out as the Exact same Day Twins, registering with Stigwood and taping a song that came to Mr Read one night in a dream when he was at boarding school.

"I came out of this dream at 3 o'clock in the morning and I had this tune total in my mind with all the words, all the music,

"he said.The siblings 'whirlwind career included taking a trip to Vietnam throughout the war in 1968, at age 18, to

entertain Australian soldiers."We almost got rocketed a couple of times,"he said."It was a genuine eye-opener."Shirley Read (now Pochee)remained in the show business however her older sibling retired at the ripe old age of 20 and entered into local federal government.

"I got to a point where I wished to get married, settle down with down-to-earth individuals, have kids and live a normal life," he said.

Find more regional news Now a grandpa, and still gladly married, he has no remorses. "I most likely would have wound up with a drug overdose-- it was rife in the industry,"he stated. "In numerous aspects I am happy I got out. Life is great." 'Go all out 'Mr Read's second career took him around the state consisting of to East Pilbara;" the biggest shire in

area worldwide". But the music did not leave him. He still writes tunes, has actually tape-recorded a track for a West Australian Music (WAM) album and happily takes out the guitar at shire council Christmas parties.Mr Read said

his experience carrying out offered lessons for life.

"I believe the lesson in all that is to just go for it-- if you can see a chance, go for it," he said.

[onejazztrackaday]

Bernie McGann – Happy Times

Today’s Aussie Friday track comes from the inimitable alto saxophonist Bernie McGann (1937 - 2013). Bernie was a fabulous performer to watch live (another artist with incredibly expressive eyebrows), and an iconic figure in Australian jazz.

Bernie McGann's one of the greatest of all jazz musicians, either here or anywhere… He's like a great painter who’s developed this style, and then refines it and refines it. But everything that he does is unmistakable because of the style.

– Paul Grabowsky

This particular incarnation of the Bernie McGann Quartet included Bobby Gebert on piano, Jonathan Zwartz on bass and John Pochee on drums. Today’s track Happy Times was recorded at the ABC's studios in Ultimo in 1986.

Happy Times is a Freddie Hubbard post-bop tune from 1962.

– Bozzie 🎷