As a performer, my work has taken me into many styles and situations, from working with traditional First Nations singers in remote communities in Australia’s northern and western areas to playing Bach and Schumann at Melbourne Recital Centre.
Lately, I have enjoyed a wonderful and inspiring residency at the Ukaria Cultural Centre in the Adelaide Hills, S.A, during which I have performed with some of my favourite singers. These encounters have often led to more ambitious outcomes, including tours and recordings. I now work regularly with Lior, Kate Ceberano, Vince Jones, Lisa Gerrard and Paul Kelly, all in duo format. A duo concert with the great First Nations singer/songwriter Archie Roach led to me producing his 2019 recording ‘Tell Me Why’, and we have done many concerts, either in duo or with a larger band. Paul Kelly and I recently recorded an album, mainly of Paul’s songs, called ‘Please Leave Your Light On’; concerts are planned.
Of course, my first love is jazz and improvised music, and I have several projects that allow me the expressive freedom I seek. My sextets in Sydney and Melbourne perform my compositions from ‘The Bitter Suite’ and ‘Moons of Jupiter’, and I am keyboardist in ‘The Others’, a free-improvising group with drummer Kram and multi-instrumentalist James Morrison. Another trio is ‘Torrio’, a collaboration with saxophonist Mirko Guerrini and my long-time associate, drummer Niko Schäuble. My long association with the Wilfred family from Ngukurr in S.E. Arnhem Land continues with ‘Bambula’. I founded and co-lead the Monash Art Ensemble, which is devoted to performing and documenting new music by composer/improvisers. Finally, I love playing solo piano concerts, at which I often perform material from my 2016 album ‘Solo’.