MJC Presents: JAMES O’BRIEN QUINTET – Debut

Yet another rising talent from the fertile Perth jazz scene, pianist James O’Brien makes his MJC debut with an all- original program – featuring the premiere performance of his ‘Toward Dawn Suite’ – delivered by his dynamic new quintet. A graduate from the prestigious Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), James has performed with award-winning groups such as the Australian National Jazz Orchestra Youth Big Band, the Horizon Art Orchestra, Kate Pass Kohesia Ensemble, the WA Jazz Project, and the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra, and recording on Daniel Susnjar’s WAM Award winning ‘The Recipe’ (2020), before relocating to Melbourne in mid-2023. James’ distinctive sound is creative and forward-thinking, yet firmly grounded in the rich tradition of jazz. His versatile and virtuosic piano playing has been noted for its ‘maturity belying his youth’. Joining James O’Brien (piano) are Jayden Blockley (tenor saxophone), Craig Fermanis (guitar), Umar Zakaria (double bass) and Luke Andresen (drums).