Nick Haywood Quartet presented by the Melbourne Jazz Co-op

Bassist Nick Haywood initially formed this quartet, featuring Colin Hopkins (piano), Stephen Magnusson (guitar) and Allan Browne (drums), four years ago, as part of his PhD research. Relatively simple tunes are used as catalysts for spontaneous collaborative improvisations, with the complexity in the music developing from interaction and musical connectedness between the performers. The quartet's debut CD 1234 was the recipient of the Australian Jazz Bell Award for 'Best Contemporary Jazz Album' in 2012. The Quartet also received a 2012 APRA Art Music Award for Excellence in Jazz. The performance will feature Haywood's compositions as well as tunes by Ornette Coleman, Willie Nelson and Jimmy Webb, all of which appear on the CD. "Many tunes here, including originals, are actually quite simple but what this band does is layer them with complexity. Their gift is that rare ability. It's the capacity to draw listeners in and take them on a journey". - Leon Gettler, The Age