AAB Sydney at Victoria Barracks celebrating their CD launch . Photo by Phil Barling, PACC-NSW

Bandies top the jazz charts

By Jim Barndon
THE release of a new jazz recording by Camouflage, the AAB Sydney big band, has launched them to the top of the Sydney jazz charts – a first for an Australian service band.

In conjunction with RecLink, an organisation that uses art and recreation as rehabilitation in the life of street people, AAB Sydney and Sydney’s Jazz community united in their quest to record and release their latest CD, Exposed.

This CD brings together the talents of the Victoria Barracks-based big band and some of Sydney’s most creative jazz musicians.

Project Officer and band leader Sgt Rod Mason said the two musical communities had taken the opportunity to use their art to raise awareness and funds to help make a difference.

“A wide cross-section of Sydney’s music industry has also generously contributed to ensure the success of the finished product,” he said.

The CD was launched via live webcast from The Basement, Sydney’s premier jazz venue and has attracted praise from throughout the music industry.

The launch was followed up the next day by a project launch, presented before about 200 homeless people at Edward Eager Lodge in Surry Hills, formerly the recording studio for the ABC.

The lodge, now home to the Wesley Mission, was used during the 1940s and ’50s to record many of the well known Big Bands of that era.

“It was most appropriate that our performance was held in this historical building.

“It was really important to make sure that we provided an opportunity for the street people to be part of the celebrations – ‘cause this is for them.”

• Copies of Camouflage – Exposed are $20 and can be ordered from Birdland Records on (02) 9299 8527, www.thebasement.com.au or AAB Sydney on (02) 9339 3198.

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