Trio Sonic Tapestry

Back from Europe on a brief visit to his hometown, NIMA and the Underground Jazz Club welcome the opportunity to host trombonist Adrian Mears and his exciting new trio. 35 years ago Adrian moved to Europe, quickly establishing himself as one of the strongest jazz trombonist on the European scene. His virtuosity and outstanding technical finesse on the trombone, combined with his ability to improvise effortlessly over complex polyrhythms is unique. His career has been distinguished by performance and recording credits alongside countless Jazz Legends. His international reputation also reflects his talent to compose & arrange in diverse styles of any instrumentation. With 500 original compositions, works for symphony orchestras, big bands, large choirs, and countless smaller ensembles.

"My first experiments with electronic concepts began 30 years ago, when a fortunate opportunity arose to perform a program of my choice at the Grand Hotel! There I integrated loops and effects on trombone for the first time but the quest for innovation and creativity actually started much earlier, when I joined my first teenage Novocastrian jazz band with Andrew Dickeson on drums. Fortunately Andrew and the others also shared the same creative desire which has accompanied our musical friendship over the past 35-years. Both constantly challenging the boundaries of jazz while remaining deeply rooted in its rich heritage". 

Andrew Dickeson has been one of Australia's most prominent, prolific and accomplished musicians. He is respected by young and old throughout Australia and through his strong connections in New York, throughout Japan and his online presence. As a dedicated jazz educator, Andrew spreads the legacy of swinging hard, and alone through his initiative and perseverance brings people and projects together. Adrian recognised immediately during a recent collaboration, that Gavin Ahearn would be the perfect completion of this trio. With a well travelled, international career behind him, crowned with prestigious accolades of very diverse musical experiences. Gavin has not only a beautiful touch on the piano also an in-depth knowledge of synthetic textures & audios design, acquired through experience as composer, band leader or recording producer.

The trio will perform music inspired by African polyrhythms, the METERS, New Orleans funk, John Scofield, a selection of Mears originals, and generally a collective development of very groovy motives.

"My new trio concept endeavours to explore the disassociation of traditional harmony and bass roles, sporadically sharing these duties between electric trombone and keyboard while simultaneously soloing." - Adrian Mears

Adrian Mears – Trombone, loops & effects

Andrew Dickeson – Drums

Gavin Ahearn – Piano/Keys