Barry O'Sullivan | Exclusive Interviews & Insights

CR Review – Spring is Here

Barry O'Sullivan CD Reviews Jazz

On her debut recording, Spring is Here, Genevieve Brown displays fine range, diction, and intonation. She draws her emotional juice from familiar standards, adding verbal inflection without overly sentimental mush. Sam Rolling’s guitar and Lauren White’s bass playing provide excellent accompaniment throughout the well-arranged compositions, introducing a new voice in jazz and improvised music.

CD Review – TRIO

Barry O'Sullivan CD Reviews Jazz

Sydney-based pianist and composer Glenn Doig began his musical journey on the keys then progressing to the trombone, until jazz educator Mike Nock heard him play the piano at the Conservatorium of New South Wales where he was studying at the time and suggested that he concentrate his studies on pianoforte.

CD Review – Chiromancy Tim Rollinson Trio

Barry O'Sullivan CD Reviews Jazz

Tim Rollinson’s latest album uses the classic trio format in five original compositions and some choice standards to demonstrate his knack for blending groove-driven sections with freewheeling improvisation, crafting a sonic journey that balances structure with freedom.

CD Review – Wild Fire

Barry O'Sullivan CD Reviews Jazz

On his debut release with his band Wildfire, Wilbur Whitta intuits the chaos and combat ahead of the impacts of climate change, natural disasters and displaced persons.

CD Review – Substation Lookout

Barry O'Sullivan CD Reviews Jazz

This recording is an insightful Substation Lookout Damon Poppleton Quartet lookout journey through the nuances of life and emotions of compositions written around small snippets of the lived experiences of Sydney-based saxophonist Damon Poppleton.

CD Review – Jiem

Barry O'Sullivan CD Reviews Jazz

Contemporary jazz thrives on progression, constantly evolving to connect with audiences. Sydney-based quintet Jiem perfectly embodies this spirit in their latest release, showcasing their innovation and commitment to pushing the boundaries of jazz while offering a fresh, captivating sound.

Vocalist Genevieve Brown – High Five

Barry O'Sullivan Fine Music Magazine Interviews

Genevieve Brown is a talented vocalist, musician, and vocal educator with experience teaching students of all ages. She holds a Bachelor of Music (Performance) from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, specialising in Jazz Voice. In both 2012 and 2019, she travelled to New York City for training at The New School in Manhattan.

CD Review – Mountain to Sea

Barry O'Sullivan CD Reviews Jazz

This latest recording from the pianist/composer is engrossing music of the highest quality, a masterclass in how to be full of sound without necessarily being furious. Bringing together musicians from different backgrounds and generations, Chris Cody (piano), Sandy Evans (soprano and tenor saxophone), Lloyd Swanton (double bass) and relative newcomer Tessie Overmeyer (alto saxophone), the album combines jazz, classical, African and French influences, in an intimate and fluid performance that combines masterful skills and musicality.

High Five: Drummer Laurence Pike

Barry O'Sullivan Jazz

Barry O’Sullivan talks to one of Australia’s most respected creative musicians, the prolific drummer/ composer/producer Laurence Pike. Along with his solo releases for the UK’s Leaf Label, Pike is a member of Warp Records alumni PVT, electronic jazz trio Triosk, the UK’s Szun Waves, and the legendary US/ Australian avant-punk group LIARS.

Herbie Hancock in Concert

Barry O'Sullivan Jazz Reviews

The legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock brought his final Australian tour of a stellar band to the stage of the Sydney Opera House, walking casually onto the stage with his three-year-old grandson Dru in hand to commence the proceedings. Dru showed off his flashing light-up sneakers to warm up the house for the excitement that was to come.