Five Below was formed as part of Keller’s Monday night series at the Jazzlab, which began on June 12th 2017. The ensemble performs on the last Monday of every month at the venue and features the compositions of Keller alongside collective improvisations and interludes.
History
Add to Elements
Yes
NTRO Output Type
Recorded or Rendered Work
NTRO Output Category
Recorded or Rendered Work : Performance
Place
Melbourne, Australia
End Date
2018-07-09
Medium
CD / digital audio recording
Research Statement
The members of Five Below are Stephen Magnusson guitar, Andrea Keller piano, Sam Anning double bass, Mick Meagher electric bass, and James McLean drums. The musicians utilise loops and effects pedals to add an electronic element to the music. On the occasions where one or more of the musicians are unavailable for a performance, saxophonists Julien Wilson and Scott McConnachie have stepped in as substitutes. This has posed interesting and rewarding research into adapting material for varying instrumental groupings.
In 2018 Five Below undertook additional performances including at the NGV Friday Nights (July), Port Fairy Spring Music Festival (October), live recording/filming at the Jazzlab, and the release of the album Five Below Live.
A significant challenge faced by the group has been the arrangement of the music to accommodate the two basses. Much research through workshopping, recording and reflection has resulted in the creation of a pool of models from which to draw in order to create an array of arrangement techniques.