Largely built around compositions written by Tamara Murphy, Spirograph Studies collectively sculpt group improvisations over the works, using elements found within each piece. Together they build larger textural structures, slowly unfurling, built from musical conversations and combined themes.
This collaborative group features Fran Swinn (guitar), Freedman Award winner, James McLean (drums) and one of Australia’s foremost practitioners of contemporary classical music, Luke Howard (piano). This strong collection of music-makers each bring their unique voice to the stage as part a united front led by Tamara Murphy (bass).
Tamara Murphy received the inaugural PBS Young Elder of Jazz Commission Award in 2011. She features on over 30 releases and her albums have been nominated and shortlisted for The Age Genre Awards, AIR awards and The Bell Awards. An esteemed composer, bassist and bandleader, Tamara Murphy was a finalist in the National Live Music Awards 2019 (Best Jazz Act).
Spirograph Studies toured Australia/NZ in 2019, also performing at the Perth International Jazz Festival and the Sydney Women’s International Jazz Festival, receiving rave reviews. Their debut album Kindness, Not Courtesy, was shortlisted for a Music Victoria award (Best Jazz Album).
Listen back here to hear Spirograph Studies play live for Studio 5 Live. Proudly brought to you by Mountain Goat.
