The talents of Menai saxophonist Zac Olsen will be on display on Sunday, June 3 at the Sydney Con International Jazz Festival when he leads his own ensemble alongside international heavy-weights and Australian stars.
The Sutherland Shire resident says being featured in the program has been immensely exciting.
“Sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in international jazz is an honour and a huge boost to my own professional practice,” Olsen said.
Initially a classical saxophonist, Olsen was gradually introduced to smaller jazz ensembles and big bands through initiatives such as the NSW Arts Unit Jazz Orchestra.
Now a leading instrumentalist in his third year of the Conservatorium’s Jazz Studies Program, Olsen has been chosen from 95 students as one of only three students selected to lead a festival ensemble.
“Leading this group has been a lot of fun, the people in my ensemble are all really great players and we are looking forward to sharing music with audiences at the festival,” he said.
Each ensemble has been working closely with mentor from the Australian jazz scene as part of the festival’s CONVERGE program.
Olsen’s mentor is Bell-Award winning bassist Jonathan Zwartz who Olsen describes as “a thoughtful mentor and one of Australia’s greatest bassists who has studied with some of the world’s leading players”.
Equally at home in solo settings as well as working on group projects featuring his own original compositions, Olsen is also a member of Indie-Rock-Roots band Papaya Tree which was featured last year as part of Triple J’s Unearthed.
Olsen will be joined by more than 90 artists in 24 concerts and master-classes across the all-day festival.
The diverse program will feature American jazz vocalist Gretchen Parlato.
Named by Downbeat Magazine as #1 Rising Star and winner of the prestigious Thelonious Monk Vocal Competition, she has been hailed by international media as one of the most exciting vocalists of this generation.
With her blend of African and Brazilian inspired cross-genre jazz, The New York Times have praised Parlato’s ability to pry open sweet spots in her interpretations of jazz standards and pop tunes, calling her an “extraordinary singer”.
Trad-lovers will hear popular Sydney group Geoff Bull and the Finer Cuts headlining on the Feel-Good Stage.
A new initiative in this year’s program, continuous swinging ensembles will perform throughout the day in the relaxed atmosphere of the Con Café.
- The Sydney Con International Jazz Festival is on Sunday, June 3, from 10am to 9pm at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, 1 Conservatorium Road, Sydney.