Composer, pianist and bandleader Mike Nock is returning to Brisbane this April, bringing his award-winning, smooth jazz sounds to QPAC.
The New Zealand-born, Sydney-based musician is working alongside talented and long-term friends for the performance: double bassist and composer Jonathan Zwartz and drummer James Waples.
If you're looking for something a little different, Mike says their Brisbane concert will not only feature jazz classics and new compositions from the close-knit pals, but the music from his first trio, 3-OUT and their initial recording from 1959.
Revisiting an old record isn't unheard of, but since having the original vinyl re-released as a CD in Germany, Mike has received positive responses and found himself wanting to bring his original sounds back to the stage. "That's going to be quite a big part of the repertoire, looking backwards but also looking forwards," he explains.
Named as 'one of the world's key jazz pianists for the past 45 years' by the Sydney Morning Herald, Mike has received praise around globe, from industry, fellow musicians and critics alike. In 2003, his home country awarded him the New Zealand Order of Merit for his contribution to the jazz genre and he has since been inducted into the Bell Awards Australian Jazz Hall of Fame.
After an extensive career in the US, Mike made Sydney home and has been touring around the country and educating at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music since 1986.
Despite the awards and the honour, Mike says the most rewarding part of his music is the gratification that comes from the "connection between yourself, the band and the audience. "I work hard on my music, but when I play, I want to share and communicate with the people that are there… so when that happens and I feel like I'm getting it, that's the best feeling."
Though with his latest collaboration that feeling seemingly comes easy. Mike says he's looking forward to the enjoyment of playing jazz alongside good friends. "It's like family; we'll be out there sharing our 'get-together', but just doing it musically: sharing our musical conversation with audience… that's what makes it interesting."
The tough part about working in any band or group, of course, is having the whole group come together. However, the award-winning jazz great says that playing in trios is where he is most at home. "I get the right people and I can just have some fun, relax and let my hair down. Not that I've got much hair to let down anymore."
Though at 75, it seems Mike has no intention of slowing down. After 30 years as an educator, the old master still has a full calendar, with shows around the country, working with young musicians onstage and even the promise of more recordings and releases in the near future. "At a time I should have retired, I am busier than ever!" he laughs.
The Mike Nock Trio perform at QPAC's Cremorne Theatre 1 April.
