Track Listing

1. Johphrow

2. Tune No. 1

3. Darcy's First One

4. Katie's Song

5. Birthday Suit

6. Propa Monkay

7. Dector Harvotza

8. After

Click on above buttons to hear samples of select tracks

   

    More info

Zac Hurren is an exceptionally gifted and unique saxophonist, composer and improvisor. Steeped in the jazz tradition led by John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter and Aussie great Bernie McGann, Zac's beautiful and individual style has seen him play alongside the likes of John Hoffman, Dale Barlow, James Morrison, Simon Barker, Paul Grabowsky, Elliot Dalgleish, Tony Hobbs, John Rodgers, the band ‘george’ and Deborah Conway.

In recognition of his musical significance, Zac received a full scholarship to the Australian National Academy of Music (A.N.A.M) Advanced Jazz Improvisation Course in Melbourne in 1999. After completing his Bachelor of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium in 2001, Zac focused primarily on teaching and composing with his two bands, 'appian way' and 'elixir' - the latter going on to tour Australia performing to sold out crowds, playing high profile radio and TV shows - including ‘Rove Live’, ‘The Panel’, ‘Good Morning Australia’, and ‘The Fat’ - and to sell in excess of 25,000 albums.

Whilst touring ‘elixir’s’ debut album and their subsequent live album, Zac played in every major city and a host of regional centres to capacity crowds. Zac has also performed live as a soloist with some of our great Orchestra’s including the Australian Chamber Orchestra and The Queensland Orchestra. Zac’s festival appearances include ‘Melbourne International Women’s Jazz Festival’, ‘Livid Festival’, ‘Pinnacles Festival of Improvised Music’, ‘Wangaratta Jazz Festival’, ‘Woodford Folk Festival’ and ‘The Queensland Poetry Festival’. Zac also recorded as featured soloist on the ABC release 'Two of a Kind' with Katie and Maggie Noonan and the Queensland Orchestra and numerous albums with John Hoffman’s Contemporary Jazz Orchestra 'The Con Artists' with jazz greats such as Scott Tinkler and Jim Pugh. He has also featured on three ‘george’ releases - both as performer and arranger - ‘the special ones ep’, ‘Polyserena’ ( No.1 album, Double Platinum) and ‘Unity’ ( Gold ). He also featured live at the Aria Awards with the band.

  The Zac Hurren trio is one of Australia’s most exciting young jazz combos. Led by Zac on saxophones, the trio explores a contemporary Australian jazz sound inspired by the likes of Scott Tinkler, Dale Barlow, John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter. Zac is an exceptionally gifted and unique saxophonist, composer and improviser and combined with the incredible talents of Eugene Romaniuk on double bass and Sam Bates on drums – they create an explosive new Australian sound.

“This offering from Zac’s trio sounds terrific. Well informed with that essential sense of tradition the music stretches and cooks, everyone plays their tails off. Zac Hurren is one bright light!”

- Bernie McGann

“This debut recording of the Zac Hurren Trio was a creative, inspired session that left me inspired as well. Their free flowing spontaneous approach within each piece is what jazz music is all about. Bravo!!!!”

-Joe Lovano

“A stunning debut from one of the foremost young saxophonists around the Australian scene today. Zac's sound is mature and his expression free from cliches and uncluttered by contrivances. All of the compositions are Zac's originals, designed for the creative needs of the band, and relevant to his personal life experiences and thoughts. It's good honest music as played by good honest musicians who've experienced enough in life to have more than enough to say through music and to give it freely for others to enjoy. A wonderful tribute from a very talented young man. Listen and enjoy!”

- Dale Barlow

“The quantum leaps made by Australian jazz in recent times continue with this, the debut outing by one of our brightest young stars. With a big, thick sound straight out of the great tenor tradition which he so admires, Zac Hurren has arrived with a clutch of original compositions to rival the best of them. He is joined by Brisbane bassist Eugene Romaniuk, another talent to watch, and on drums the first choice of many, the ever-creative Felix Bloxsom. These are the cream of the new generation, inheritors of a jazz vernacular which we are proud to call our own. Played with joy, energy and understanding, this is a welcome addition to the Ozjazz catalogue.”

- Paul Grabowsky

 “Much momentum, sustained invention and a distinctive spirit.”

John Clare, SMH

“Zac Hurren is a bright, young, saxophone star.”

 John McBeath, The Weekend Australian

“Playing mostly vibrant and large-toned tenor sax, the album demonstrates an inventive, spare compositional style.”

Peter Kenyon, Jazz Australia

 “Gutsy and laid-back tracks are all engaging.”

Roger Mitchell, Sunday Herald Sun

“The Zac HurrenTrio’s Exordium is wonderfully alive (in fact as well as spirit - recorded superbly, straight-to-tape), conversational, spontaneous.”

 Doug Spencer, The Weekend Planet, Radio National

“The first time I heard Zac play with The Con Artists back in 1999, I knew we had a special player on our hands. Listen to him here and you will hear why I love him so much.”

 Scott Tinkler