And together, as the Australian Art Orchestra, this ensemble played avant-garde contemporary jazz improvisations of original compositions based on traditional Chinese opera and folk music fused with western stylings and themes.

Describing it like that, you might think it results in a jumbled cacophony. But quite the reverse was the case.

Composer, Erik Griswold (the pianist) has visited Sichuan province in south-west China several times and experienced all the sights and sounds, including the traditional Sichuan opera. They intrigued him, but also inspired him to write some pretty out-there stuff that was thoroughly engaging – even captivating. He brought all the instruments, cultures and sounds together in an honest sense of unity, challenging the audience by creating a completely new sound of celebration.

With ever-changing patterns on Chinese lanterns adorning the proscenium and images of street scenes, Chinese political figures and ghostly faces projected on a screen behind, two Chinese gongs heralded the start, but with a deal of mystery, followed by distant Chinese operatic singing, with piano, bass and drums. Then the rest of the ensemble, playing jazz-improvised but strong Chinese themes, entered from the rear of the auditorium.

It set the scene for an 80-minute performance that proved how truly universal and accessible music is, and that it doesn’t have to be familiar to be enjoyable.

In the closing set, the Chinese vocalist, Sheng Li Zheng, appeared in a magnificent and colourful costume with a vividly-coloured mask covering his face. Putting his voice aside, he danced the Bian Lian, a sub-genre of the Sichuan opera. With swirling arms and draping sleeves, he magically and dramatically changed the mask many times, with each change instantaneous and revealing a new, equally-vivid mask.

He even did these movements at close range as he shook hands with some in the audience. There were plenty of “oohs and aahs”.

Then the “oohs and aahs” morphed into enthusiastic applause for the entire ensemble who could not leave the stage without an equally enthusiastic curtain call.

This was a refreshing, charming, entertaining concert that challenged the musical boundaries in a most inventive way.

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