The critically acclaimed, Paris-based guitarist Alex Stuart returns to Canberra with his French band to release his fourth album, Aftermath, at The Street Theatre on Saturday 20 October, the first stop on his Australian tour supported by the Alliance Française in Canberra and French Embassy in Australia.
Alex grew up in Canberra, spent four years in Paris between his 5th and 9th year, returning to continue studies
through to the ANU Canberra School of Music, taking in the music of teacher renowned jazz guitarist Mike Price.
“After everything that Canberra gave me” Alex left for Paris in 2005 and returns for a one-night only performance with a stellar line-up of some of Paris’s finest jazz musicians Irving Acao (Tenor Saxophone and Keyboards), Arno de Casanove (Trumpet, Voice and Keyboards), Antoine Banville (Drums) Ouriel Ellert (Bass). Between them they have performed with many jazz and world music greats, including Chucho Valdes, Pharoah Sanders, Tony Allen, Etienne Mbappé, Guillaume Perret and Mamani Keita.
Over 13 years, Alex has established himself in Paris as a unique musical voice. He won the prestigious 'Jazz à Juan Révélation' prize in 2011, has released three critically acclaimed albums there and has performed with his group in top festivals and venues around the world. Since his arrival he has built upon his ANU musical foundations and expanded his horizons through performances and studies within Paris’s rich and varied music cultures.
The title track for Aftermath was composed in tragic circumstances in the wake of the 2015 attacks in Paris. “I found Paris’s defiant return to life in the aftermath most inspiring.” Alex says that “the album’s compositions reflect the dark turning points the world is facing today, but most of all the joyfulness of life and the omnipresent and evident beauty that surrounds us – from the urban landscapes of Paris to the wild coasts of Australia”. These inspirations feed into an intuitive and cross-cultural music that defies boundaries, blending jazz, rock, pop, groove and the music of many of the world’s traditions.
SEASON Saturday 20 October, 8pm
VENUE The Street Theatre, 15
Childers St, Canberra City West
BOOKINGS 6247 1223 or www.thestreet.org.au
