Personnel
Lloyd Swanton leader, acoustic and electric bass
Sandy Evans soprano and tenor saxophone
James Greening trombone, pocket trumpet
Gary Daley piano accordion
Julian Curwin guitar
Fabian Hevia percussion
Hamish Stuart drums
"...a dream team of Sydney musicians... ambitious diversity... a remarkably relaxed and seamless flow of ideas. Their knack is being able to put a jazz spin on grooves from around the globe - South Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America - in a sunny, light”
Evans is a founding member of Lloyd Swanton’s ensemble The catholics. Formed by Swanton in 1991, they have cemented their place as one of Australia’s most distinct contemporary ensembles and are “still sounding like no one else”.
With The catholics, Swanton has unleashed high-calibre improvisers on a repertoire infused with rhythms from the Caribbean, South America, and Africa. The result is an all-star septet known for their uplifting and joyous performances
Their impressive discography has not gone unnoticed, with multiple nominations for ARIA Awards for Best Jazz Album, highlighting their significant contribution to Australian jazz.
“To hold a septet such as The catholics together for 29 years is a tribute to its leader, bassist Lloyd Swanton”
As they enter their fourth decade of making music, The catholics remain a vibrant and vital force.
Sandy Evans’ compositions feature on The catholics’ albums, Simple, Life On Earth, Inter Vivos (Live in Concert) and Yonder.
“Evans' sprightly Margarita Thing arrived in a blaze of colour worthy of Frida Kahlo”
In addition to The catholics, Evans recorded soprano and tenor saxophone for Swanton’s Ambon project – A major project and two-CD suite of compositions telling the story – in music, words and images – of Swanton’s uncle Stuart’s captivity on the island of Ambon in World War II.
“The richness, diversity and accessibility of The catholics suffuses every track. It Is their virtuosity, imagination and the inventiveness of Lloyd Swanton’s writing which makes this music so successful … no written description can do justice to this music. If you’ve heard the whisper, which is now becoming a roar, that the new Australian jazz Is great fun, then search out a copy of this superb album”
