Earshift Artist, The Vampires, Clinches ARIA Award for Jazz Album of the Year with "Nightjar" Featuring Pianist Chris Abrahams

The Vampires, the iconic Australian jazz ensemble, emerged victorious at the prestigious ARIA Awards, securing the Jazz Album of the Year accolade for their latest masterpiece, "Nightjar." The album, which showcases the extraordinary talents of pianist Chris Abrahams, has been hailed as a groundbreaking work in contemporary jazz.

The Australian, in a glowing review, describes the album as "a masterpiece," giving it a perfect ★★★★★ rating. Chris Abrahams, known for his work with the internationally acclaimed improvising trio The Necks, introduced an expansive and scintillating dimension to The Vampires' music, earning praise for his seamless integration into the ensemble.

According to Something Else (USA), "Chris Abrahams inclusion in the former group is about as fluent as if he was with the band at its inception" highlighting the symbiotic relationship between the pianist and the ensemble.

The Vampires, comprises of saxophonist Jeremy Rose, trumpeter Nick Garbett, bassist Noel Mason, and drummer Alex Masso.

Rose explains, "Chris was an ideal collaborator for where the band’s music had been heading. He added a lot to the project."

Chris Abrahams brought his distinctive sound to "Nightjar," seamlessly integrating piano, organ, and synthesizers into the band's existing sonic landscape. 

The album's May 2023 release was met with widespread acclaim, earning stellar reviews from notable critics. Jazzthetik (DE) awarded it ★★★★★, while Gary Fukushima of Downbeat, Eric Myers of The Australian, and Friedrich Kunzman of All About Jazz all lauded the album with ★★★★ ratings.

Following the release, The Vampires embarked on a nationwide tour from October to December 2023, supported by SIMA, bringing the enchanting sounds of "Nightjar" to audiences from Brisbane to Brunswick.

The ARIA Award-winning ensemble, known for their six critically acclaimed albums, including the ARIA-nominated "The Vampires Meet Lionel Loueke" (2017), continues to push the boundaries of jazz, embracing the spirit of constant reinvention and exploration. Loueke is best known for his work with Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Dave Holland.

During the ARIA Award acceptance speech, Jeremy Rose reflected on the essence of jazz, stating, "Jazz music is like the mythical phoenix, constantly rebirthing itself from its ashes, with an ever-evolving entity. To play jazz is to embrace the spirt, to be unconventional, versitile, and perpetual in pursuit of the unknown.”