Jazz for Women’s Refuge

Coralie Hunter. Picture supplied

The United Nations has designated the 25th of November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

To support the cause is ‘Sonic Awareness’, a jazz charity concert raising funds for Gisborne Women’s Refuge.

It will take place on Sunday, November 25 at the Gisborne Bowling Club, and will feature John Mackill’s Jazz Collective.

The band plays original music and standards in many different styles including funk, blues, Latin jazz, jazz waltzes, ballads, and odd time signatures.

Fronted by wind players John Mackill, Tim Donnell, Laura Gilding and Kieran Irving, with the rhythm section including Coralie Hunter — piano, Ross Revington — electric and acoustic basses, and Bruce Cameron — drums.

John Mackill’s Jazz Collective look to be inspired by female jazz greats for this event.

“When I looked at my own listening habits in jazz, I realised that for too long I have had a rather lopsided view of the music” says bandleader Mackill.

“I have not spent enough time listening to and playing music composed by the many great female jazz musicians currently on the scene. I am trying to make up for that now.

“I have been hearing some fantastic sounds from women in jazz lately. So a particular feature of this concert will be compositions written by women composers Carla Bley and Louise Goh.”

The band will also play compositions from Charles Mingus, the Beatles, Leonard Bernstein, George Cables, Oliver Nelson and others.

November 25 also marks the second anniversary of the death of composer, accordionist and teacher Pauline Oliveros, whose concept of “sonic awareness” or “deep listening” the concert is named after. Sonic awareness refers to the ability to consciously focus attention upon environmental and musical sound. It is characterised by continual alertness to sound and an inclination to be always listening. Recordings by Oliveros’ Deep-Listening Band, made in 1988 in a disused cistern four metres underground, were ground-breaking.

The Sonic Awareness concert is on Sunday, November 25 at the Gisborne Bowling Club from 2.30pm. Drinks are available from 2pm. Admission is $15 at the door.