MWIJF- MIA BARHAM’S “AMBER” + ELLY BLACKHAM QUARTET Album launch

Co-presented with the Melbourne Jazz Co-op

Amber is a new ambient quartet formed by saxophonist/flautist Mia Barham. Combining electronics, synths and percussion, the group builds vivid soundscapes, inspired by Mia’s travels to the Arctic Circle. This will be their debut performance.

Mia Barham is a Melbourne-based saxophonist, flautist and composer whose music blends lyrical improvisation with rich, atmospheric composition. Drawing on influences from both jazz and classical traditions, her work explores sound, landscape and storytelling through improvisation. She has released several original projects, including Earth Songs, Inwards and Where The Mountains Echo My Footsteps, which have been featured on ABC Jazz and performed at prominent Melbourne venues such as The Jazzlab and Tempo Rubato. Her music often reflects a deep connection to the natural world, using melody and texture to evoke shifting environments and emotional landscapes. This performance forms part of the MWIJF 2025 Lumina Composition Prize awarded in conjunction with the University of Melbourne.

Featuring

Mia Barham | Flute, Saxophone and Synths

Ben Ingvarson | Percussion

Dan Waddingham | Guitar

Oscar Lenain | Bass and Synths

Elly Blackham

Don’t Push The River, the debut album from Melbourne saxophonist and composer Elly Blackham, is a chronicle of the experiences entering early adulthood through the lens of anxiety and grief. The title comes from her mother, but stems from various philosophical principles, representing a mindful release of control and that things left alone will resolve on their own.
Elly Blackham is an up-and-coming saxophonist based in Melbourne who is already making waves in the local jazz and improvised music scene. Her music stems from distinctly human emotions, experiences, and love, with her compositions and improvisations in constant pursuit of this. She is a member of premier ensembles including Woolgathering, Aftersun and the Jazzlab Orchestra. She has performed at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and the Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival, as well as with renowned Australian artists such as Andrea Keller, Sandy Evans and Barney McAll.

Elly Blackham – Tenor Saxophone

Mia Barham – Alto Saxophone and Flute

Pat Jaffe – Piano

Jack Smythe – Double Bass

Pat Skarajew – Drums