Hothouse Presents: a monthly Jazz series at The Basement Sydney with the latest and greatest in the scene! For the third instalment of Hothouse Presents, the Julien Wilson Quartet featuring Julien Wilson (reeds), Barney McAll (piano), Jonathan Zwartz (bass), Carl Dewhurst (guitar), and Hamish Stuart (drums), the band creates a sound like no other.

Julien put the band together specifically to record an album in the spirit of the old Prestige sessions of the 50's and 60's.

Although the band members have all worked with each other in different contexts, the recording session marked the first time they had ever played as a unit. 

Hamish Stuart is filling in for the legendary Al Browne who was on the recording but sadly passed away this year.

Julien and all band members want to acknowledge Allan Browne and his incredible contribution to not only Julien's album, but also the Australian Jazz Scene.

The spontaneity of the "meeting" in the studio provided an excitement and genuine feeling of discovery and joy that is an elusive element that is often hard to capture on record.

Although a variety of material was recorded, the album essentially became a "ballads" album. It was mixed and mastered in New York, and released on Wilson's new label, Lionsharecords, and debued at the 2013 Wangaratta Jazz Festival.

In 2014 the band toured the East Coast of Australia, performing sold out concerts in Sydney and at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. Their performances were mentioned by a number of journalists as festival highlights. 

'This is Always' saw Julien become the first ever recipient of three Australian 'Bell' Awards and was Birdland Records' Top Selling Australian Jazz Album for 2014. It was a finalist for an AIR Award for Best Independent Jazz Album.

His composition "Trout River" won Best Australian Jazz Song Of The Year, and the Quartet received Best Australian Jazz Ensembleas well as the album winning Best Australian Traditional Jazz Album.

This group has never the Basement, and is very excited to perform at Australia's premier jazz venue.

For this performance, the quartet will play a selection of material from This is Always, as well as compositions that were written and recorded last year for their upcoming release.

www.julienwilson.com

Album Review by John Shand - Sydney Morning Herald
"A tenor saxophone making gentle, sensuous jazz is a grand tradition, like paddle-steamers cruising on wide, slow rivers. Wilson eases his own tenor into that tradition, in the process creating one of the great Australian jazz albums. This is music where the horn's sound seems to melt in your ears, becoming creamy, viscous and rather sly. Sometimes it is so fragile that it fades to little more than pulsing breath passing through the saxophone. Sometimes that fragility finds release in a sudden cry. Wilson's phrasing is so relaxed that the tenor seems to massage you as you listen. Any music becomes new, after all, when played with complete conviction."

Album Review by Adrian Jackson - Rhythms
"It seems that Wilson avoided recording in this format until he felt ready. And he certainly was ready to play these songs - with a level of maturity, and a storytelling quality that place him proudly in the lineage of such great tenor balladeers as Lester Young, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane, Stan Getz and Joe Lovano. They combine as if they have been working together for years, achieving an effortless depth of swing that is not often heard here, and inspiring Wilson to play with admirably understated eloquence. Do not miss this album."

Live Reviews:

Springwood Presbyterian Hall, June 14 2014 - Tenor sax proves he's up there with the greats - Sydney Morning Herald
"Then along comes Julien Wilson, the spiritual heir to Australia's ultimate tenor players. Sometimes Wilson played so gently that it was no more than breathing coloured by sound. On Ellington's 'The Feeling of Jazz' each note sprawled voluptuously from the horn, and on his 'Aberdeen' Wilson built such tension that his tenor threatened to explode across the turbulence forged by the band. Make no mistake: this band was just as exceptional and distinctive as (Joshua) Redman's, and the tenor playing more so."

2014 Melbourne International Jazz Festival Review - The Australian
"Melbourne saxophonist Julien Wilson won three prizes at the Bell Awards last month, so expectations were high for his quartet - and they delivered mightily in one of the best performances of the festival. Old school influences in an intelligent, modern context."

TICKETING INFO

General Admission ticket buyers have an added option of purchasing The Basement's Plate & Glass deal on the following booking page.

The Plate & Glass meal includes one meal option with one glass of selected wine which will be made available at the Green Room Bar from the time doors open through to 10:30pm.

Plate and Glass meal and wine options are listed on the following booking page.

Dinner & Show tickets include entry, seating and 2 course meal.

Dinner & Show tickets are only available via Moshtix.

Some Dinner & Show Bookings may be on a shared table. Please let us know at the time of the booking as a special request should you prefer not to share, and subject to availability we'll do our best to accommodate your request. Note it is not possible to join ticket holders together across ticket groups (meaning A Reserve ticket holders cannot sit with B Reserve etc).

Standard and Premium Beverage Packages are available by exclusive table service to Dinner & Show Ticket Holders for 3 hours from Doors. Beverage packages are available for purchase on the following booking page. *RSA and conditions apply

DOORS OPEN AT 7.30PM

MUSIC STARTS AFTER DINNER SERVICE, AROUND 9.00PM
SET TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE FROM SHOW TO SHOW

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
When General Admission Ticket sales have closed on the day of the show they may still be available at the door on the night.

All patrons must be over the age of 18

Once purchased tickets are non-refundable & non-transferable
(applies to both Standing and Dinner sales)

Please ensure you bring photo ID as proof of age

A booking fee applies to all advance tickets. (All quoted prices include tax).

Dress is Smart/Casual at Manager's discretion. No thongs.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Basement has very limited accessibility for patrons with disabilities, however please contact the venue to ensure there is adequate availability for you to enjoy the show comfortably and they can advise on the recommended seating options.

RESTAURANT (GREEN ROOM BAR) 
RESTAURANT HOURS ARE DEPENDENT ON SHOW
Please call The Basement to confirm opening times - (02) 9251 2797

SEATING MAP FOR DINNER & SHOW BOOKINGS
Please Note: tables cannot be joined together. Please ensure everyone you intend to seat at your table is included in your booking to avoid being seated separately. Unfortunately, Dinner & Show bookings are for a minimum of 2 people.

Specific table reservation is not available for this performance. It is the venue's decision as to which table you will be allocated. Whilst the venue would love to give everyone their preferred seats, it is not always possible. We ask that you respect this decision and enjoy the performance.