Jason Bruer & Hammerhead

Having been together now for over 10 years, Jason Bruer's powerhouse sextet Hammerhead have gained National recognition and praise through their exciting live performances. 2014 saw the release of their debut CD ‘Mozaic’ which has received widespread critical acclaim in Australia, Japan and the UK.

The band has risen in stature considerably over the last few years. As a result it has won feature status at prominent Jazz festivals around the Country including Manly Jazz Festival, Thredbo Jazz Festival, Capitol Jazz Project (Canberra) The Wangaratta Jazz & Blues Festival, Marrickville Festival and The Sydney Con’ International Jazz Festival. They have also done ‘sold out’ shows at Gods Café, Smiths Alternative Bookshop & The ANU in Canberra and the Wollongong Conservatoire of Music. They were the featured band in the ‘Jazz Up North’ concert series in Cairns and also played Doo Bop in Brisbane. They play a 'once a month' residency at Lazybones which they have been doing for over 7 years as well as regularly performing at Foundry 616 and Venue 505.

A shift in style and line-up in 2018, saw the release of their second CD ‘Turning Point’ (2019) which contains ten original compositions by bandleader and tenor & soprano saxophonist Jason Bruer, showcasing his array of disparate influences.

Whilst still congruent with the 'hard bop' aesthetic, Bruer's compositions are coloured by an altogether wider compositional palette, mirroring his desire to inject more diversity into the band’s repertoire - from 'in your face' hard swing to a slinky waltz; from breathtaking ballads to a blues-based eulogy; from a classically informed fugue to funk and jazz-folk to odd meter 'urban jazz', it's no surprise the band has been selling out gigs all over Sydney.

Jason Bruer - tenor & soprano sax, Andrew Robertson - alto sax & flute, Cam'

McAllister - trumpet, Greg Coffin - piano, Alex Hirlian - drums, Dave Quinn - double bass.

“If you want to hear how good Australian Jazz has become, give a listen to ‘Turning Point’, the latest CD by Jason Bruer’s Hammerhead, an exceptional recording that ticks all the right boxes”. Mike Nock

"Melodies that you can hold onto, grooves that get under your skin, and an electricity that reminds you of first listening to jazz as a teenager" Jasmine Crittenden – musicaustralia.org.au

"The rich counterpoint created within the horn and rhythm sections, the diversity of styles within the jazz spectrum and the inordinately high quality of arranging and individual and collective playing brings to mind those Oz champions of yore, "Ten Part Invention" Tony Hillier - Rhythm Magazine