Tag: Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre

Cuban Fire Suite to Ignite Kangaroo Point

Photo Credit: BEMAC

Kangaroo Point will come alive with the vibrant sounds of Cuba as the Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre (BEMAC) and the Brisbane International Jazz Festival join forces to present a spectacular performance of the complete Cuban Fire Suite.

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Photo Credit: BEMAC

This ambitious project, showcasing the musical talents of the South East Region Jazz Orchestra (SERJO), will enthral audiences at the Queensland Multicultural Centre Theatre on Sunday, 13 October, at 7:00 p.m.

This highly anticipated concert is the culmination of dedicated work by SERJO, who have meticulously rehearsed the Cuban Fire Suite’s intricate and energetic score. The performance promises to celebrate Latin jazz, highlighting Cuba’s rich musical heritage.

Composed by Johnny Richards in 1956 for the Stan Kenton Orchestra, the Cuban Fire Suite is a seven-movement masterpiece that draws inspiration from Afro-Cuban rhythms and jazz harmonies. 

Photo Credit: BEMAC
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It evokes Cuban music’s fiery energy and passion, with each movement painting a vivid picture of the island’s culture and spirit. From the explosive opening of “Fuego Cubano” to the melancholic beauty of “Recuerdos” and the playful “Quien Sabe?” the suite takes listeners on a captivating journey through a range of emotions and musical styles.

BEMAC, a champion of multicultural arts in Queensland, has played a pivotal role in bringing this project to fruition.  Their commitment to showcasing diverse artistic voices is evident in their support for this unique musical endeavour. The Brisbane International Jazz Festival, renowned for promoting jazz in all forms, has also facilitated this performance.

This is a rare opportunity to experience the full Cuban Fire Suite performed live, and it’s sure to be a highlight of Brisbane’s cultural calendar. The suite’s enduring popularity is a testament to its power and artistry, and SERJO’s rendition promises to be a fitting tribute to this iconic work.

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Take advantage of this opportunity to see the talented musicians of SERJO bring the energy and passion of Cuban music to life.  It’s an evening that promises to be a feast for the senses. 

Published Date 01-October-2024

Ancient Instruments Find New Voice at BEMAC in Kangaroo Point

When JADE Ensemble and ZÖJ take the stage at Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre (BEMAC) in Kangaroo Point on May 4, the air will be filled with the distinct yet harmoniously intertwined sounds of ancient musical traditions.

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These two formidable acts wield traditional instruments rooted in centuries of cultural heritage to forge adventurous new frontiers of cross-cultural improvisation.

For JADE Ensemble’s Takako Haggarty, the koto is more than just an instrument – it’s a conduit to over a millennium of Japanese musical lineage. The 13-string zither harp originated in China but became an iconic part of Japanese culture. 

Photo credit: Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre (BEMAC/Facebook)

With movements flowing like calligraphic brushstrokes, Haggarty coaxes transcendent tones from the koto’s strings through a mastery earned over 40 years of immersion.

Iranian composer and vocalist Gelareh Pour is the driving force behind the innovative ensemble ZÖJ. Her chosen instrument, the kamancheh, has an even more ancient pedigree. 

Kamancheh (Photo credit: CC0/Metropolitan Museum of Art/Wikimedia Commons)

This bowed string instrument featuring a distinctive cylindrical shaft and gut fretting is the precursor to the modern violin, with origins dating back over 4,000 years to Mesopotamia. In Pour’s hands, the kamancheh’s haunting voice becomes a conduit for raw emotion.

Whilst the koto and kamancheh represent vastly different musical vocabularies from opposite ends of the Asian continent, JADE Ensemble and ZÖJ find common ground through the boundless language of improvisation. These adventurous artists allow their distinct traditions to intermingle and influence one another in searingly spontaneous ways.

Japanese koto (Photo credit: CC BY-SA 3.0/Smgregory/Wikimedia Commons)

Rounding out JADE’s multi-cultural lineup are Indigenous didgeridoo master David Williams, Nepali tabla virtuoso Dheeraj Shrestha, and Australian guitarist/composer Dr. Anthony Garcia, whose pan-global influences include Mexican and Spanish folk traditions.

For these musical trailblazers, the goal is to create resonant social impact by showcasing the potential for harmony amidst cultural diversity. As Pour articulates of ZÖJ’s performances, “It is totally improvised…every show is different.” Their musical alchemy transmutes age-old tones into audible symbols of unity.

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Don’t miss this unique opportunity in BEMAC to experience the future outer-limits of cross-cultural music-making where decades of dedication to upholding hallowed musical traditions collide with ultramodern innovation and infinite imagination.

Published 1-May-2024