Ajaye/McMahon/McBride 1+1+1=One Trio

Join us for a summer afternoon with celebrated Jazz musicians - Eric Ajaye on bass, Matt McMahon on piano and Nick McBride on drums. Amidst a compelling suite of works in the exhibition Conjunction, the trio will perform a mixture of original compositions and a fresh Freedom in some of their favourite music and standards.

Eric Ajaye is an accomplished bass player, session musician, radio host, and educator, originally from New York and now based in Australia. Throughout his long career, Eric Ajaye has been recognized as a highly respected and versatile bassist. Known for his extensive work in the jazz, blues, and R&B genres, he has toured and recorded with a wide array of internationally renowned artists. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Ajaye moved to Los Angeles at an early age. He attended the California Institute of the Arts on a scholarship, where he studied bass under Buell Neidlinger. Ajaye was an active and in-demand musician in the Los Angeles music scene for decades, where he worked across various aspects of the industry, including recording albums with artists like Chaka Khan, Bill Cosby, Osamu Kitajima, Doug MacLeod band and many more. He played electric bass and double bass on soundtracks for television shows, and film, as well as numerous commercials. He toured and performed with many high-profile artists, including Barry White, Freddie Hubbard, Gary Bartz, Taj Mahal, The Pointer Sisters, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, Al Jarreau, and Bennie Maupin.

Ajaye's extensive touring has taken him to over 50 countries across Asia, Europe, Russia, and Central and South America, performing at The Kremlin, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center, Sydney Opera House, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Newport Jazz Festival, Peer Festival, Gitarre Festival, Sedona Jazz Festival, Wangaratta Jazz Festival, Village Gate, Lighthouse, Cellar Door, Bimhuis, Philharmonic Hall and many more.

Ajaye has been based in Australia since the late 1990s, where he continues to perform, record, and teach. He has served as a jazz scholar and bass teacher at the Australian National University's School of Music in Canberra. Ajaye is a popular presenter on ABC Jazz, where he hosts the programs Classic Albums and Jazz Legends. He is the founder and curator of the Jazz Haus in Canberra, a jazz supper club/theatre venue. He continues to record and perform with Australian musicians, such as on the 2024 duet release Time Within - Karen's Smile with pianist Mike Nelson.

Nicholas McBride is an acclaimed Australian drummer and composer with a focus on jazz. After spending nearly two decades performing in China, he is now based in his hometown of Canberra. He is known for his eclectic drumming style and extensive collaborations with international and Australian musicians. McBride has recorded several albums as a bandleader, including Bandika (1998) and Rectangle (2001). During his time in Shanghai, he was a prominent figure in the evolving jazz scene. He was a member of the Lawrence Ku Trio, Ttechmak, and the Steinophonic Orkestra. He also played with touring musicians and toured extensively with pop star Karen Mok. As a sideman, he has performed with a diverse range of artists, including Sean Wayland, James Muller, Sam Rivers, and Dee Dee Bridgewater.

McBride cites legendary drummers Gary Husband, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Tony Williams as his biggest influences. Since returning to Australia, he has performed with various groups and is an active participant in the Canberra jazz scene.

Matt McMahon is a Sydney-based pianist/composer who has been active since 1993. He has won awards-including the National Jazz Award (1999), Freedman Jazz Fellowship (2005), and appears on several Aria and Bell award-winning albums. He leads his own groups and works in collaboration with many of Australia's most respected musicians, performing within Australia and internationally. He has released ten albums as a leader or co-leader and appears on over one hundred albums of original creative music. His compositions and improvisations are featured on many of these albums.

McMahon has performed with some of Australia's most distinguished musicians and groups: Band of Five Names, Vince Jones, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Dale Barlow, Joseph Tawadros, Gurrumul, Bernie McGann, Katie Noonan, Jonathan Zwartz, Steve Hunter, Jamie Oehlers, Emma Pask, Simon Barker, Andrea Keller, Sandy Evans, Carl Dewhurst, and Phil Slater. He has acted as musical director for many shows and performances which have included artists such as Kate Miller-Heidke, Wendy Matthews, Melinda Schneider, Iota, Ella Hooper and more. He has performed with many visiting artists on their Australian tours including - Wynton Marsalis, Veronica Swift, Bobby Previte, Greg Osby, Sharon Shannon, Bob Hurst, Aaron Goldberg, Mary Coughlan among others.

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