Founded by the visionary drummer, the late John Pochée OAM, Ten Part Invention is a tour de force in the realm of Australian jazz. More than just a band; they’re a vehicle for ground-breaking new works from Australian composers.
"The vanguard of Australian jazz"
Current personnel
Miroslav Bukovsky Co-musical director, trumpet, flugelhorn
Sandy Evans Co-musical director, tenor and soprano saxophone
Paul Cutlan baritone and sopranino saxophone, bass clarinet, clarinet, flute
Andrew Robson alto saxophone
John Mackey tenor saxophone
Warwick Alder trumpet
James Greening trombone, trumpet
Kevin Hunt piano
Steve Elphick bass
Rease Cameron drums
Paul McNamara was the pianist with Ten Part Invention from 2000–2022
Original lineup
John Pochée drums, leader
Roger Frampton piano, sopranino saxophone
Steve Elphick bass *
Miroslav Bukovsky trumpet, flugelhorn
Warwick Alder trumpet
James Greening trombone
Bernie McGann alto saxophone
Sandy Evans tenor saxophone
Ken James tenor and soprano saxophone
Bob Bertles baritone saxophone
* The inaugural bass player was Hugh Fraser
Photo – Ten Part Invention. l-r: Bob Bertles, John Pochée, Warwick Alder, Bernie McGann, Miroslav Bukovsky, Sandy Evans, James Greening (seated), Ken James, Roger Frampton, Steve Elphick
"A living organism rather than a museum of memories"
Ten Part Invention is an ensemble of national significance—a band of creative and individual voices in jazz—committed to the evolution of original jazz in Australia for over forty years.
The ensemble’s inception at the 1986 Adelaide Festival marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey, that would see them tour the globe with peerless virtuosity and adventurous spirit.
Crafted from the crème de la crème of Australian jazz, each member of Ten Part Invention brings a unique voice to the table. The magic lies in the singular sound from these individual voices.
"The Rolls Royce of Australian Jazz"
Time is Moved, 2026
Time Is Moved, the band’s fifth album, features the the current lineup of Ten Part Invention.
Included in the album are premiere recordings of seminal compositions by Bukovsky, Evans, and the late Roger Frampton.
Time is Moved brings the listener up to the present with new pieces by Robson, Bukovsky and Cutlan.
Since the last studio album Unidentified Spaces (2000), five new members have joined Ten Part Invention, continuing to passionately build on the legacy of the original members. That legacy is further acknowledged in Evans’ poignant homage to Frampton ‘The Invisible Man’ and Andrew Robson’s ‘Hymn for John’ – a heartfelt tribute to Ten Part Invention’s beloved founder, John Pochée.
Ten Part Invention is an ensemble of national significance—a band of creative and individual voices in jazz—committed to the evolution of original jazz in Australia for over forty years.
"The premier large ensemble in Australian Jazz – and one of the finest anywhere!"
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Their prowess has earned Ten Part Invention accolades such as the Australian Entertainment ‘MO’ Awards for Jazz Group of the Year in 1990, 1996, and 2000, and the Australian Live Music Awards’ Best Live Jazz Act in 2000. Their debut album (Ten Part Invention) was nominated for Best Jazz Album (1992, ARIA Awards), and the group for AMC Awards’ Best Performance of an Australian Composition in 2000.
