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Forest Lines Single Launch at NIMA in Newcastle, November 14 by the Eucalyptus Treeo 

I'm looking forward to playing with these awesome musicians at NIMA in Newcastle to launch our new single Forest Lines on ABC Jazz. Hannah James, Steve Barry and I were commissioned by ABC Jazz to compose and record music inspired by our relationship with and the history of our National Parks. This is the first single from the upcoming album.

Here is a link to the gig tickets

https://www.nima.org.au/event-details/eucalyptus-treeo

Here is a link to the single

https://open.spotify.com/track/0C2bWyRp6yaoJTqzrS9jQt?si=35acc15d27e841a7

ABC Jazz Commission and recording with Eucalyptus Treeo 

In January pianist Steve Barry, bassist Hannah James and I went into the ABC studio in Sydney to record our commissioned works which explore the changing histories and roles of our National Parks. We have been preparing for this for a while so it was very exciting to final get to track it.

Thanks to ABC for the opportunity!

 

Album Review of Equally True in Jazz Journal (UK) 

I'm very happy to have received another lovely Album review, this time in the UK Jazz Journal

I particularly like the quote below. Woohoo.

'If illustration were needed of how music so often speaks more eloquently than words, it would be hard to beat Australian saxophonist and composer Rafael Karlen’s new album: the words sung by Kristin Berardi often segue into expressive vocalese that tells the listener as much if not more than the narrative.' - Nigel Jarrett

https://jazzjournal.co.uk/2022/12/20/rafael-karlen-equally-true/

National Tour: The Rafael Karlen Quintet feat. Jo Lawry 

I'm very excited to be starting a National Tour next week with some incredible musicians to launch a new Single- Again, As Always. If you're in South East Queensland please come along to the Brisbane or Tamborine Mountain Shows.

The band features acclaimed vocalist Jo Lawry, pianist Matt McMahon, bassist Brett Hirst, and drummer James Waples. Woohoo.

 

Friday September 2

JMI Live in Brisbane 

10 Exhibition St, Bowen Hills 

8-10:00PM

https://events.humanitix.com/the-rafael-karlen-quintet-featuring-jo-lawry 

 

I will also be taking a workshop open to the Public at JMI on Friday between 2-4pm. 

 

Saturday September 3 

The North Stores 
46 Main St, Tamborine Mountain 

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rafael-karlen-quintet-featuring-jo-lawry-tickets-407400003377

The Sweetness of Strings featuring Andrea Keller and The Partridge String Quartet at the MRC, August 19 

On August 19, the wonderful pianist Andrea Keller and exciting The Partridge String Quartet will play new pieces alongside my earlier works from my album The Sweetness of Things Half-Remembered at the Melbourne Recital Centre- I'm very excited! We will premiere three new pieces alongside some Chamber Jazz hits. 

To fit in character limits it's billed as The Sweetness of Strings (which is also true).

Tickets and more information can be found here.

www.melbournerecital.com.au/events/2022/rafael-karlen-the-sweetness-of-strings

and the Facebook Event

https://fb.me/e/3DO2r8J4r

 

 

Awarded The 2022 APRA Professional Development Award for Jazz! 

I’m thrilled and honoured to have received the APRA Professional Development Award in the Jazz Category! It’s going to be great working on some new projects and getting lessons with a few of my heroes. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists.Thanks APRA/AMCOS!

Sinking Cities premiere with The Australian Voices and Camerata- Queensland's Chamber Orchestra February 11 

I am very excited to have the wonderful Australian Voices and Camerata-Queensland's Chamber Orchestra premiere my new 60-minute work for choir and string ensemble. This work features lyrics by Pearly Black and is inspired by recent events in Hasankeyf, an ancient city in Turkey which has recently been flooded for a controversial dam, washing away 12,000 years of history. Sinking Cities explores erasing histories, as well as themes of loss, modernisation, short term gains, and the replacement of traditional lifestyles. 

The world premiere of Sinking Cities will be live streamed exclusively via the Australian Digital Concert Hall. 

Sinking Cities is supported by Arts Queensland’s First Night Showcase – Judith Wright Arts Centre Fund, Australia Council, and Phonographic Performance Company of Australia.

More information and tickets can be found through the link below:

https://camerata.net.au/performances/sinking-cities/