Way Out West (jazz group)

Way Out West
OriginWestern Melbourne
GenresJazz
Years active2001-current
LabelsJazzhead
MembersPeter Knight (trumpet),
Dung Nguyen (modified electric guitar, traditional Vietnamese instruments),
Paul Williamson (saxophone),
Ray Pereira (percussion),
Howard Cairns (acoustic bass),
Rajiv Jayaweera (drum kit).
Past membersDave Beck (drum kit)
WebsiteMyspace

Way Out West are an Australian jazz group, formed in 2001.[1] They originated in the western suburbs of Melbourne and are noted for their unusual instrumentation which includes West African drumming, and many traditional Vietnamese string instruments such as a dan tranh, dan nguyet and dan bau.[2]

The band has performed at major international festivals such as the Montreal Jazz Festival, Vancouver Jazz Festival, and Veneto Jazz Festival.

Reception

Their second album, Old Grooves for New Streets (2007), received five star reviews in Australia, and a review by America's All About Jazz said, "Certainly a candidate for Best Release of the Year – I hope lots of ears hear this one!".[2] In 2009 the group won the Bell Award for Australian Jazz Ensemble of the year. The Sydney Morning Herald observed, "That these exotic sounds blend so well with jazz is a mysterious Melbourne alchemy". [3]

Discography

Albums

Title Details
Footscray Station
  • Released: 2003
  • Label: Newmarket Music (NEW3127.2)
  • Format: CD
Old Grooves for New Streets
  • Released: 2007
  • Label: Jazzhead (HEAD085)
  • Format: CD, DD
The Effects of Weather
  • Released: 2010
  • Label: Jazzhead (HEAD128)
  • Format: CD, DD

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2010[4][5] The Effects of the Weather Best Independent Jazz Album Nominated

See also

References

  1. ^ "Way Out West". The Sydney Morning Herald. 23 July 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  2. ^ a b "Way Out West". Global Carnival. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  3. ^ Clare, John (25 October 2003). "Way Out West, Footscray Station". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  4. ^ "Jagermeister Independent Music Awards Nominations Announced!". 1 September 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  5. ^ "History Wins". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. Retrieved 18 August 2020.