News...


ABC Classic FM...
Guitarist Giuseppe Zangari recently gave a recital for ABC Classic FM radio as part of the ABC's "Sunday Live" concerts that are broadcast live throughout Australia and internationally through radio and the internet. Coinciding with Father's Day in September 2008 the guitar and flute/piccolo recital was performed together with flautist Sally Walker from the Harold Lobb Concert Hall at the Newcastle Conservatorium Of Music and included works from Pujol, Myers, Piazzolla and GMP writer Franco Cambareri. Giuseppe has recorded works for ABC Classic FM through the ‘Young Australia Series’. He has also performed as a soloist on 2MBS-FM and Radio 2NUR FM and has participated in master classes conducted by renowned Australian and international performing artists such as Pavel Steidl, Tim Kain, Lorenzo Micheli, Slava Grigoryan, Maximo-Diego Pujol and Karin Schaupp.



New CD Release...
In February 2008 The Daryl McKenzie Jazz Orchestra finally launched a long awaited recording at Melbourne's "The Apartment", the venue which has been home to their regular monthly Monday night performances for the past five years. Produced by Daryl McKenzie, the CD (also available on iTunes) features some of Australia's finest jazz musicians and includes original works by McKenzie himself plus compositions by Lachlan Davidson, Roger Schmidli, Ross Irwin, Gian Slater, Tim Davies and from GMP writer and the orchestra pianist Gianni Turcio.

Record Award...
The 31st ‘MO’ Awards, held on Tuesday 28th September 2007 at Sydney’s Bankstown Sports Club, witnessed a veritable galaxy of top-class entertainment presented to a completely packed house of the cream of Australian show business. Performers who have dedicated their lives to perfecting their craft were honored by their peers and presented with stunning 'MO' Award glass obelisks as a fitting recognition for their wonderful contribution to the world of entertainment. Nominees in each category received accolades from the very appreciative and responsive audience and the music provided by the cocktail pianist, stage orchestra and dance band was nothing short of brilliant. Seated alongside such industry stalwarts as Don Lane and Barry Crocker, GMP writer Tony Pantano was clearly emotional when it was announced he had won the ‘MO’ Award 2007 for “Best Male Vocalist” for a record eleventh time. A fitting tribute for an artist who has given so much to the Australian music scene on an evening which also saw, amongst others, James Morrison receive the “Ricky May Jazz Performer” award and Billy Thorpe (posthumous) the “Rock Performer” award.



Manila Connection...
Vestre's Tune is the title of a song composed by Melbourne guitarist Nello Giansiracusa for his long time musical companion & master trumpeter, the late Vestre Roxas. The song was performed and recorded live at the Pinoy Jazz concert held at the Abelardo Hall of the UP College Of Music in Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. Featuring the UP Jazz Ensemble led by Prof. Rayben Maigue, the concert showcased a selection of compositions and exquisite arrangements of other writers' works by renowned Maestro Angel M. Pena. The latter was principal arranger of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra between 1969 and 1989 before retiring to live in California till 2001 when he decided to return to Manila. For the past three years Maestro Pena has been composing and arranging for the UPJE and the concert was an acknowledgement of his passion and contribution to big band jazz.



The Piccini Magic...
Perth's Trio Alegra, comprising Eddie Staszak (accordion), Laura Mitchell (violin) and Corinne Brokken (double bass), have completed a CD titled "The Magic Of Piccini" in which they perform fourteen songs all composed by Peter Piccini. Peter was born in Sydney and is to this day regarded as one of the great accordionists of our time and is recognized and respected in many parts of the world as both a gifted composer and virtuoso performer of the piano accordion. Trio Alegra was formed in 2002 when these three professional musicians, from very different backgrounds, found a common bond in their love of tangos, gypsy and southeast European music. They perform regularly in concerts, festivals and functions and Peter's works form an indispensable part of their repertoire.