Powerhouse Jazz Sextet Hammerhead are playing at Tuggeranong Arts Centre on Saturday 13 September from 7 pm. Photo: Tuggeranong Arts Centre.
Expect a night of nuanced, high-octane nu-bop, funk, folk – fusion and chamber jazz from one of Australia’s finest contemporary ensembles at Tuggeranong Arts Centre.
Hammerhead has a reputation for high-energy performances and innovative compositions and have been a prominent force in the Australian jazz scene since 2011.
Led by internationally acclaimed tenor saxophonist Jason Bruer, this powerhouse sextet will perform recent unreleased music composed by Bruer alongside material from their recent acclaimed album I Didn’t Get To Where I Am Today (2023). This album was hailed as their best album yet, receiving a 4.5-star review in The Australian and praise from jazz legend Mike Nock.
Hammerhead draws inspiration from the hard bop era while incorporating urban jazz, funk, and chamber jazz influences, the band has established a reputation for high-energy performances and innovative compositions and have been a prominent force in the Australian jazz scene since 2011.
Their debut album, Mozaic (2014), paid tribute to hard bop pioneers and received acclaim in Australia and Japan. With Turning Point (2019), they transitioned to an all-original repertoire, further solidifying their unique artistic identity. Their latest release, I Didn’t Get To Where I Am Today (2023), written during the pandemic, was hailed as their best album yet, receiving a 4.5-star review in The Australian and praise from jazz legend Mike Nock.
Hammerhead has performed at major jazz festivals, including Wangaratta Jazz & Blues, Sydney Conservatorium International Jazz Festival, Manly Jazz Festival, Thredbo Jazz Festival, Capital Jazz Festival, and Inner West Marrickville Festival.
They have headlined the ‘Jazz Up North’ series at Tanks Arts Centre in Cairns and performed extensively across Australia. Maintaining a monthly residency at Lazybones Lounge in Sydney for nearly a decade, Hammerhead continues to push creative boundaries.
Reviews
“Unquestionably this album’s touchstone is brilliance!…” Eric Meyers (The Weekend Australian)
“For my money this is the best Hammerhead album so far. Really top drawer playing from everyone plus great writing from bandleader Jason Bruer. A winner.” Mike Nock
“Jason Bruer’s most nuanced album to date, goes to show good things can come from isolation and adversity” Jurate Sasnaitis (Dingo Jazz Journal)
“Melodies that you can hold onto, grooves that get under your skin, and an electricity that reminds you of first listening to jazz as a teenager” Jasmine Crittenden (musicaustralia.org.au)
“I Didn’t Get to Where I Am Today divulges the sound of a band at the top of its game” Des Cowley, Rhythm Magazine.
“I have been an admirer of his work and his band Hammerhead for quite some time. I can confidently say that Jason is a unique voice in our national jazz scene, an exceptional band leader and a shining example of creativity. He is a true modern jazz master with a distinctive personal sound on the saxophone, an inventive composer, and restless performer” Nikolas Fotakis (Editor, AustralianJazz.net)
The Details
What: The Jazz Haus Canberra: Hammerhead
Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North
When: Saturday 13 September, Concert 7 pm / Bar open from 6 pm.
Cost: $45 Full / $38 Concession. Book tickets now.
