Sydney-based saxophonist/composer and New York expat Phillip Johnston leads the 8-piece miniature repertory ensemble, The Greasy Chicken Orchestra, through innovative arrangements of jazz of the 1920s and 1930s, as well as his original music reflecting that musical language on their new release, I Cakewalked With a Zombie. This long-evolving project continues Johnston’s exploration of the history of orchestration and composition-focussed ensembles, such as The Microscopic Septet, Big Trouble, and The Silent Six.

The group consists of a four-saxophone front line and rhythm section, featuring leading jazz artists from Sydney. The music leaves room for individual expression of its unique soloists and aims to express a combination of freedom and discipline, a love of jazz history and creativity, and the infectious rhythm, mystery and sheer joy of the jazz of this era.

Melbourne based vocalist Michelle Nicolle’s new release The Bach Project richly embraces the music of J.S. Bach in their unique chamber jazz style. The album interrogates the art of interpretation, improvisation and reimagines these masterworks. The quartet’s arrangements showcase the mastery of J.S. Bach’s compositions and add a new flavour to the improvisational elements found (and sometimes lost) in these great works. Features her long standing quartet of guitarist Geoff Hughes, bassist Tom Lee and drummer Ronny Ferella.

“Michelle is a singer born to charm, enlighten and seduce through music.” Kurt Elling

The Vampires - Nightjar. Here in lush vamping form, meet the singular acute bright and tender touch of Chris Abrahams.

Sydney based South African saxophonist Mark Ginsburg and pianist Ryan Grogan’s new release Oceans Together presents a suite of evocative, uplifting and sometimes haunting compositions. The project reflects on various sources of inspiration including heritage, lands of origin, and a focus on intimacy. The performances of Ginsburg and Grogan, along with bassist Brett Hirst and percussionist Fabian Hevia are beautifully captured by Phil Punch of Electric Avenue Studios, complimenting the sensibility of the music.

Bassist Christopher Hale’s latest release, Ritual Diamonds, features Korean drumming innovator Woo Minyoung in an inspired reimagining of Korean ritual drumming and contemporary jazz.

Composer-saxophonist Jeremy Rose, joined by two virtuoso drummers, Simon Barker and Chloe Kim — alongside the Earshift Orchestra and powerful images by video artists Rachel Peachey and Paul Mosig — will present a thrilling tribute to the timeless, visceral and disruptive power of the drum.

Sydney trumpeter, composer and Earshift artist Tom Avgenicos was awarded the 2022 Freedman Jazz Fellowship in an exciting final playoff at the Sydney Opera House on Saturday 3 September. The sold-out crowd enjoyed the return to the Studio, after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

'Disruption! The Voice of Drums' wins Performance of the Year at the 2022 Art Music Awards

Vocalist Kristin Berardi’s new release, The Light and the Dark, brings to light the beauty and injustices that occur in life. Expect honesty, raw emotion, and dynamic performances from modern jazz luminaries including trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, pianist Miro Sprague, double bassist Marty Jaffe, and drummer Jerome Jennings. Guest appearances include saxophonist Troy Roberts and bassist Sam Anning, who also produced the session.

Jeremy Rose and the 8-piece Earshift Orchestra bring a thrilling tribute to the timeless, visceral and disruptive power of the drum - Disruption! The Voice of Drums, featuring extraordinary drum virtuosi Simon Barker and Chloe Kim. Premiering to wide acclaim at the 2021 Sydney Festival, this major new work offers an opportunity to reflect on the current disruptive challenges we face, with bush fires, a global pandemic, civil unrest and a growing ecological disaster.

The Three Seas new album Afterlife heralds a new direction for the West Bengali-Sydney collective, an uplifting alchemy of funk, dub, Baul and Himalayan folk music.

Rafael Karlen presents Equally True, a captivating album with his new all-star quintet featuring vocalist Kristin Berardi, pianist Matt McMahon, bassist Brett Hirst and drummer Simon Barker.

Saxophonist-composer and Earshift Music label artistic director Jeremy Rose’s new album, Face to Face, is a reflection on the connections we have with each other and the importance of real-life connection, dedicated to those that are closest to him; family, friends and loved ones. Described as "state-of-the-art jazz, impeccably performed, sanguine in nature, yet brimming with hope," (Rhythms Music Magazine).

Earshift Music are proud to receive three nominations for the ARIA Awards this year! Congrats to all the nominees, especially Earshift artists Berardi Foran Karlen for their release Haven, Vazesh’s album The Sacred Key and Eishan Ensemble’s Project Masnavi.

With a nod towards iconic sci-fi and intergalactic free jazz, Lost in Place is the long awaited followup to trumpeter-producer Reuben Lewis’ impressive 2018 studio album, Abstract Playgrounds with his Melbourne group I Hold the Lion’s Paw. Conjuring the spirit and twisted funk of Miles Davis’ On the Corner, filtered through the lens of Sun Ra and Ornette Coleman’s Prime Time, this latest offering is a wild sonic ride that feels simultaneously familiar and like nothing you’ve ever heard.

Divide and Conquer is the fourth album by Melbourne based composer Johannes Luebbers’ Dectet (JLD). The album marks the end of an ambitious 10 x 10 x 10 project, spanning 10 works in 10 years for 10 players. The album is the second and final installment of the project, featuring five wildly original tracks and some of Luebbers’ best work. The group showcases some of Australia’s most exciting soloists including pianist Andrea Keller, trumpeter Paul Williamson and saxophonist Angela Davis.

SIMA and Earshift Music are proud to present the fourth edition of the Earshift Music Fest 2021, 1st - 10th of October. The ten-day marathon online music festival will air at 8pm AEST each evening, streamed live on facebook, youtube and SIMA’s website. The festival is curated and hosted by Earshift Music artistic director, Jeremy Rose, who will do live artist chats with each performer following their set.

Cameron Undy releases a self-produced beats album, Bloodshot, alongside a reissue of his modern masterpiece, 20th Century Dog’s debut 2005 album, Mad Stream. A profound influence on the Australian jazz scene for over 30 years as one of the country’s finest bassists and co-founder of Sydney’s beloved Venue 505, Undy has had a long history of working with top shelf electronic dance artists. Bloodshot features Undy on beats, bass and keys, alongside vocals from neo-soul/jazz singer Inês and additional keys from Alan Goodman. This stripped back, groove laden album provides glimpses of the inner workings of a visionary musical mind.

Vazesh perform long-form improvisations inspired by the Persian Radif, and renowned Iranian tar player Hamed Sadeghi's (Eishan Ensemble) music. Featuring Sadeghi alongside Earshift Music founder saxophonist-bass clarinettist Jeremy Rose (Earshift Orchestra, The Vampires) and bassist Lloyd Swanton (The Necks, The catholics), this is an exciting collaboration driven by an exploration of musical discovery. In 2020 Vazesh were invited to reopen the Sydney Opera House's music program with two sold-out shows. This has been beautifully captured and presented on their debut album The Sacred Key.

The Land of If is the latest release from Ball Hanlon Schulz, a chamber-jazz trio featuring acclaimed Melbourne trumpeter Eugene Ball, bassist Ben Hanlon and piano accordionist Anthony Schultz. Taking impetus from Paul Auster’s book Invisible, The Land of If is a playful foray into the intimate moments of our everyday lives - a shadow of time going by, the smile of the one we love, small innocent mistakes and the local heroism of confronting them.