Avgenicos Brothers
Treading Water is the long-awaited debut from Avgenicos Brothers. Featuring saxophonist Michael Avgenicos and his brother, trumpeter Tom Avgenicos, the joint project sees them alongside some of Sydney’s leading young jazz artists including pianist Novak Manojlovic (Freedman Jazz Fellowship winner), guitarist Felix Lalanne (Montreux International Guitar Competition finalist), bassist Nick Henderson and drummer Alex Hirlian (National Jazz Award Winner). This debut embodies the brothers’ lifelong musical dialogue amongst a love of modern jazz, groove and electronic sound scapes.
The band members all met during their time at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music from 2012 to ‘15, and have since played in many bands together including Colourfields, Arcing Wires, Fryja and other collaborations across the Sydney improvised music scene.
“As friends and peers, we have an implicit understanding of each other’s playing,” explains Tom. “This has helped shape the sound of the group. Michael and I have been playing together from the first days on our instruments, and regularly share ideas and work together, especially in our writing. By the time we bring our new tunes to the band, we have a strong idea about how it will sound and come to life.”
Treading Water represents the feeling of overcoming. It frames the process of perseverance, resilience and reflection through open textural improvisation, expressive solos and thoughtful ensemble playing. “This album is a watershed moment for us, having spent years honing our craft as performers and composers,” says Michael. “Now is the right time for this album to emerge – an honest representation of our musical journeys.”
Michael and Tom Avgenicos are well known fixtures on the Australian jazz scene, both are National Jazz Awards finalists and have performed alongside Australian jazz greats Barney McAll, Jonathan Zwartz and Mike Nock. Michael is an active member of Coast, Eishan Ensemble and Fryja. Tom leads his own projects Delay 45 and Tuckerbox, and is a member of Mike Nock’s NOCTET.
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