Music / Oceans Together. At the Drill Hall Gallery, March 18. Reviewed by GRAHAM McDONALD.

OCEANS Together is a project developed by jazz saxophonist Mark Ginsburg and pianist Ryan Grogan.

It started in the covid period with the two exchanging ideas remotely and has since expanded with the addition of bassist Brendan Clarke and percussionist Fabian Hevia.

This concert in Canberra is towards the end of a few weeks touring, and it shows in the camaraderie of the four musicians and their relaxed comfort in the music.

The repertoire they are touring is from their eponymous CD comprising of material written by either Ginsburg or Grogan; quiet, melodic music based around melodic or rhythmic themes on either sax or piano that allow space for improvisation. It is music that well suits the Drill Hall Gallery with the musicians and audience surrounded by a collection of paintings from Yirrkala in the East Arnhem region of the NT and welded black painted steel sculptures by local artist Leo Loomans. To add another small delight, the music was presented acoustically, with only a small boost to the upright bass, and which filled the room at just the right volume.

The playing was a pleasure. Ginsberg is a very fine sax player, using both tenor and soprano instruments with a strong fluid tone and effortless control.

Pianist Grogan provided the harmonic and rhythmic underpinning to both his and Ginsburg’s compositions and would occasionally let loose with some sparkling solos.

Bassist Clarke anchored the music and also impressed with inventive solo passages.

Fabian Hevia does not use a conventional drum kit, but sits on a cajon with a cymbal, a wood block or two, some little gongs and rattles all hit with a collection of sticks and brushes and creates magic. His solo in the last tune of the evening just danced around the time signature and had the previously quite restrained audience applauding with enthusiasm, while Mark Ginsburg just smiled with pleasure.

A fine ending to a memorable concert.