New composing and recording project

On Monday I will begin a new composing project. It will be a set of solo piano pieces, to run about 50 minutes. These will be through-composed as per classical music, no improvisation. I plan to record them myself eventually but they could also be played by classical players. I am visualizing the pieces as very lyrical, like poems, blending classical and modern jazz lyricism. I will be reading poetry during this period, and individual pieces may be inspired by particular poems. I was funded to compose this music by the Australia Council.

Also speaking of the Australia Council, I found out about a week ago that I have been awarded a Project Fellowship to contribute to the costs of recording a new CD of my original jazz compositions in the USA. The band will be a collaboration between Australian and American players, the Australian participants being myself and guitarist James Muller. The recording will take place some time in 2006.

The release of my CD Visions has been delayed due to studio availability for final compilation and mastering. To avoid the Christmas/New Year period which we now can't get ahead of, it will be released in February.