Peruvian/Brazilian Jazz group Ally launch Drum Junk July 16

If you fancy a little Afro-Peruvian experimentalism, a twist of Brazilian mayhem, and a dash of rumba Monk with your jazz this is the group and the gig for you.

In some really exciting news Ally has made its first recording called ‘Drum Junk.’

We’re going to launch it at Pratten Park Bowling Club located at 42 Arthur St, Ashfield on Saturday July 16th at 8.00pm with help from the Cultural Arts Collective.

For this night only we have a special guest joining us from Melbourne - drummer Ryan Menezes and another Sydney-based Peruvian percussionist joining Giorgio Rojas in the rhythm section - Julio Candela. Drumming is definitely going to be the big feature of the night.

Hear Giorgio Rojas and Julio Candela’s Peruvian experimentalism alongside Daniel Pliner's tumbaos; James Greening's brilliance on trombone and Gai Bryant’s densely layered Brazilian and Peruvian-influenced jazz cameos underpinned by Ryan Meneze's mastery on the drum kit and Max Alduca on double bass.

Layered on top is the stunning imagery of Dai Moret's poetry. The alchemy resulting from the blend of these elements and artists is an exhilarating new twist on original Latin Jazz.

• Dai Moret - spoken word, Gai Bryant - soprano/alto saxophones, James Greening - trombone

• Giorgio Rojas and Julio Candela - percussion, Ryan Menezes (Melb) - drum kit

• Daniel Pliner - piano, Max Alduca - bass

Press

“The brainchild of saxophonist Gai Bryant, Ally never quite lets your expectations settle. Spoken-word poetry from Brazilian-Australian Dai Moret inhabited the same universe as a Thelonious Monk composition reimagined with a Flamenco bulerias rhythm. Ally features James Greening on trombone whose every note is an event in itself, alongside a bristling dialogue between percussionist Juan Carlos Allende and drummer Giorgio Rojas. Pianist Daniel Pliner rocks between clamping the piano to the rhythm section and floating melodic clouds above it. 

Charles Mingus’s timeless masterpiece Goodbye Porkpie Hat was superbly reimagined through an Afro-Danzon prism by Bryant. Her remade version of Monk’s Well You Needn’t as Spheres that Don’t, deftly combined spoken word, vocals, and a bubbly dialogue between her soprano and trombone, bongo and polished bass. “ John Shand SMH 13/04/21