The catholics’ double CD ‘Shelter’ launch

Australia’s much loved jazz-worldbeat band are back with their tenth album, “Shelter”, a double CD just jam-packed with the sort of exuberance and imagination we’ve come to expect from this venerable ensemble over their 35 year existence.

With compositional contributions from almost the entire ensemble, “Shelter” is alive with influences from gospel, soul, funk, the Caribbean, Africa, and the East – all tied together with visits to those indefinable musical locations that only The catholics seem to know about.

Apart from showcasing for the first time the work of most recent recruit Julian Curwin on guitar, slide guitar and banjo (and two very fine compositions), “Shelter” also features long-time piano accordionist Gary Daley on two more firsts, with appearances on melodica and grand piano. (You have not heard melodica played like this!)

The perpetually-youthful catholics were never in any danger of going stale, but this big new release may surprise even those who thought they had the band pigeonholed.

Come along and join in the joyous celebration that is always the hallmark of the release of a new catholics album.

Formed in 1991, their personnel comprises:

• Sandy Evans – saxophones,

• James Greening – trombone and pocket trumpet,

• Julian Curwin – guitar and banjo,

• Gary Daley – piano accordion, melodica, piano,

• Hamish Stuart – drums,

• Fabian Hevia – percussion, with the leader on acoustic and electric bass.

• Lloyd Swanton – double bass