Jazz Conjunctions

Join a stellar cast of Jazz players, most members of Wanderlust, as they draw out themes from Conjunction, the Drill Hall's exhibition of highlights from the ANU Art Collection.  John Mackey on saxophone, Jeremy Sawkins on guitar, Lachlan Coventry on bass, Fabian Hevia on percussion and Miroslav Bukovsky on trumpet. 

Miroslav Bukovsky is a distinguished jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger and educator. He spent 6 years in Conservatorium classical studies in Czechoslovakia and moved to Australia in 1968. Studied at the Sydney Conservatorium Jazz Studies becoming a member of faculty; 1981-82 Australia Council funded study in USA, New York and Indiana University; 1999 Commenced full time teaching position at the Canberra School of Music (later ANU School of Music), teaching trumpet, improvisation, composition, arranging and ensemble performance. 2003-2004 Head of Jazz Department at, ANU School of Music, and has continued limited teaching at ANU School of Music, as a Distinguished Artist in Residence since.

John Mackey is a renowned Australian saxophonist, recording artist, and educator. He began playing professionally at age 14 and is a music lecturer at the ANU School of Music, (2000 – present). Mackey has been an invited soloist on many albums over a period 33 years and has performed with international artists including Nat Adderley, BB King, Ray Charles, Johnny Griffin, Phil Wilson, Dame Kiri Tekanawa, Woody Herman, Toshiko Akyoshi, Lee Tabackin, Richie Cole, Red Rodney, Eddie Henderson, Roy Hargrove, Kenny Werner, Bob Mintzer, Mark Levine, Julian Arguelles, Emil Viklicky, Kendrick Scott and Kurt Elling. National artists include Dale Barlow, Virgil Donati, James Morrison, Bob Sedergreen, Andrea Keller, Mark Isaacs, Don Burrows, Mike Nock, James Muller, Sam Keevers, Matt McMahon, Carl Mackey, Stephen Magnusson, David Jones, Sandy Evans, Jamie Oehlers, Vince Jones, Bernie McGann, John Pochee, Miroslav Bukovsky and many more.

Jeremy Sawkins, a Shoalhaven (ex-Sydney)-based guitarist, has been an active member of the Australian music community since the late 1970’s. As well as being a composer/bandleader, Jeremy has shared the stage and recording studios with many notable musicians. Having performed all around Australia, he has also performed in Europe and Asia. Jeremy has led many of his own groups, his current being The Jeremy Sawkins Band. Since the 1980’s his various groups have had many performance opportunities in Australia and abroad. Jeremy has performed and recorded with many prominent musicians and singers including Sting, Jackie Orszacsky, Kristin Cornwell (Belgium), Tina Harrod, Tom Burlinson, Grace Knight, Darren Percival, Glenn Shorrock, Russell Morris, Nicky Crayson, Lily Dior, Wendy Matthews, Trish Delaney-Brown, Katie Noonan, Kate Miller-Heidke, Melinda Schneider, Ella Hooper, Virna Sanzone, Kristin Berardi, Dr Roger Frampton, David Ades, Alister Spence, Matt McMahon, Lloyd Swanton, Craig Scott, Bernie McGann, Jim Kelly, James Muller, Paul McNamara, Phil Wilson (U.S.A.) James and John Morrison, John Foreman, Don Burrows, The Sydney Jazz Orchestra, Monica Trapaga, Dominic Miller and Ira Coleman (both from Sting’s band) and Steve Hunter to name but a few.

Lachlan Coventry is a working musician and teacher of some 25 years, having performed both as a freelance guitarist and as a member of bands including: The Wedded Bliss (country trio), Fire on the Hill (original experimental rock band) and as a bassist for Julia and the Deep Sea Sirens. As a jazz guitarist he has played with many notable performers including: James Morrison, John Morrison, Bernie McGann, Alan Turnbull, Daryl Pratt, Anita Waddell and opened for Larry Carlton at his Canberra show. He holds an honours degree in jazz guitar performance and is currently studying for a PhD in creative compositional and practice techniques for jazz guitar.

Fabian Hevia arrived in Australia in 1973 as a young refugee from Chile. He studied percussion at the University of Wollongong and later the Jazz studies at the Sydney Conservatorium. Fabian is in demand as a recording artist and a music educator. He toured extensively with Wanderlust and the catholics in Europe and Australia. He also leads his excellent group Far Beyond.

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Image: Installation view of ANU Art Collection: Conjunction, at the Drill Hall Gallery, 24 October – 21 December , 2025.