Sandy Evans/Satsuki Odamura

Sandy Evans Steve Elphick and Satsuki Odamur Image credit Shane Rozario

Personnel 

Sandy Evans saxophones
Satsuki Odamura koto

"...with the koto player, Satsuki Odamura. Evans's soprano and tenor saxes explore an elegant, almost fragile, harmonic relationship with the muted sonority of the koto. What might have been stark turns out remarkably compelling and beautiful."

"World class is world class, pandemic or no pandemic.“

Satsuki Odamura

Satsuki Odamura is a master of the Koto and Shamisen, both traditional Japanese stringed musical instruments. She has pioneered awareness of these ancient Japanese instruments through her performances in Australia, and through teaching her students around the country. She is the Director of the Koto Music Institute of Australia.

Sandy Evans and Satsuki Odamura have a partnership rooted in deep mutual respect and friendship. This bond blossomed over decades of vibrant exploration of the intersections of improvisation and traditional Japanese music. Sandy met Satsuki in the early 1990s, not long after she moved to Australia from Japan.

Through numerous collaborations with Satsuki including duo performances, Waratah, Koto Transformation, GEST8 and RockPoolMirror, Sandy became enchanted with both the koto and Satsuki’s superb playing of it.

Magic Music ensemble

Their performances together included Magic Music a groundbreaking ensemble with bass player Steve Elphick that featured twice in the Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival. This trio is collaborating with Iranian percussionist Sohrab Kolahdooz (percussion, voice).

"…an Australian music trio that unites jazz, world music and contemporary Australian music into a remarkable fusion."

RockPoolMirror

2017 saw the release of RockPoolMirror under the banner of Sandy Evans and Friends, another Tall Poppies addition. Inspired by Belinda Webster’s photographs of the Shoalhaven Gorge, this album features alternating duo and trio improvisation.

Pearl of May

In 2023 Pearl of. May, by the Satsuki Odamura Koto Ensemble was released on  on Tall Poppies.This work celebrates Satsuki’s 30 years in Australia. Evans composed four pieces on the album

Sandy Evans, Satsuki Odamura, Steve Elphick Sohrab Kolahdooz 2024 image by Shane Rozario
'Magic Music' 2024 - Sandy Evans, Satsuki Odamura, Steve Elphick Sohrab Kolahdooz

Waratah

One of their most notable projects has been the ensemble Waratah, formed in 1999 with Evans, Odamura, and percussionist Tony Lewis. The group was  a remarkable fusion of jazz, world music, and contemporary sounds, with their album Time Never Sleeps showcasing the ensemble’s ability to create breathtakingly beautiful music. Waratah and guests gave a memorable performance Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony.

GEST8

The 2007 GEST8 album Kaleidoscope, featuring Satsuki Odamura and released by Tall Poppies, showcased an extraordinary mix of instruments and virtuosic talent.

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