Testing genre boundaries

ROOTED IN JAZZ: Frank Talbot will perform in Gisborne next month. Picture supplied

Kiwi saxophonist Frank Talbot will head to Gisborne next month as part of his debut album tour.

Mundane Life Updates, Talbot's highly anticipated debut album, set for release through Rattle Records, promises an eclectic set of often personal and programmatic music, testing genre boundaries while having strong roots in jazz tradition.

Talbot has led an extensive performing and recording career, having already recorded on numerous occasions for the Rodger Fox Big Band including at Bunker Studios in New York, with the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band and RNZAF Jazz Orchestra, Julie Lamb Outfit, The Dark Third, Endeavour Jazz Orchestra, New Zealand School of Music Big Band One, for award winning composer Tatiana Riabinkina and for the JM Jazz World Orchestra at the national television studio in Croatia.

Talbot will play at the Lawson Field Theatre on January 15.

He will bring with him an ensemble of some of the country's finest jazz players including Ayrton Foote on piano (Wellington Mingus Ensemble, C26), Phoebe Johnson on double bass (Wellington City Shake Em On Downers, Revulva) and Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa on drums (French For Rabbits, Dawn Diver). The group promises a tight and virtuosic performance.

Asked what part of his new album he was most proud of, Talbot said that was “a tough one” to answer.

“I guess I would say the diversity of the compositions drawing from all different sides of my musical influences, alongside the live interactivity and connection between the first-rate musicians I recorded with.”