Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

The Daniel Susnjar Afro-Peruvian Jazz Group is an award-winning 7 piece ensemble from Western Australia which presents original compositions influenced by Afro-Peruvian rhythms, and fresh, unique arrangements of traditional Peruvian folk songs. Founded in Miami in 2011, and driven by Susnjar’s extensive touring and research in Peru, USA and the Caribbean (culminating in a Doctoral drumming dissertation), the ensemble continually pushes forward with innovative ways to express artistic sensibilities from the Afro-Peruvian and Jazz musical traditions. The results include multiple awards, the release of 2 full-length albums, extensive touring throughout the USA and Australia, and collaborations with world-class musicians including Grammy award-winning trumpeter Brian Lynch.

Combining infectious grooves, emotive melodies, risk-taking improvisation and extreme dynamics, the award-winning Daniel Susnjar Afro-Peruvian Jazz Group “radiates a joyful energy that infects not just the band members but the entire auditorium.” – Sydney Morning Herald

Featuring:

Daniel Susnjar – drums/compositions
Ricki Malet – trumpet
Luke Minness – saxophone
Harry Mitchell – piano
Jeremy Thomson – guitar
Zac Grafton – bass
Iain Robbie – percussion

• Winner, Best Jazz Act, 2016 Western Australian Music Industry Awards
• Winner, Best Drummer/Percussionist, 2016 Western Australian Music Industry Awards
• Winner, “Pius Bartosik,” 2015 WAM Jazz Song of the Year Award
• Winner, Best Australian Modern Jazz Album for debut album “Su Su Nje”, 2015 Australian Jazz Bell Awards
• Winner, Australian Jazz Song of the Year “Forte Pulse Torte,” 2015 Australian Jazz Bell Awards

Susnjar radiated a joyful energy that infected not just his fellow band members but the entire auditorium, and sent us out into the still-damp night air with smiles on our faces, a syncopated spring in our step and a renewed appreciation for the musical riches this festival provides year after year - Sydney Morning Herald.

The winners of Best Jazz Act at last year’s WAM Awards brilliantly combined contemporary jazz with complex Afro-Peruvian rhythms to push the music into new areas of sound and texture. The talented six-piece ensemble’s playing and the soloing were of the highest quality, combining strong melodies, imaginative improvisation and solid grooves - The West Australian.

Afro-Peruvian jazz, a rarity in Australia, is far more than just a Latin-style beat. Studied in the US and Peru by Perth drummer Daniel Susnjar, his Australian septet showed that the genre includes forceful rhythms and melodies - The Australian.

Further information for this event is available online at the event's website or by phone on (08) 9228 1088 or by email to info@ellingtonjazz.com.au

Featured artists

• Jazz/improvisation by Daniel Susnjar Afro-Peruvian Jazz Group
• Music of Daniel Susnjar