Now more than two decades into their journey, The Vampires remain one of Australia’s most distinctive and acclaimed ensembles. The ARIA Award-winning group has carved out a unique place in the international jazz scene, melding intertwining saxophone and trumpet lines with hypnotic grooves and genre-defying textures. Their sound is instantly recognisable: immersive, exploratory, and always pushing boundaries.
Critics have hailed their music as “phenomenal” (Downbeat), “a masterpiece” (The Australian), and “seductive creativity” (The Guardian UK).
Deeply rooted in the expansive landscapes of Australia yet drawing from a global palette, The Vampires’ music merges composed and improvised parts seamlessly, creating a hypnotic flow that captivates audiences. With appearances at leading festivals and venues including A Love Supreme (UK), Enjoy Jazz (Germany), and every major Australian jazz festival, the band continues to expand its horizons while celebrating a remarkable legacy of innovation.
Their celebrated collaborations include projects with The Necks’ Chris Abrahams (Nightjar, ARIA Award for Best Jazz Album), guitarist Lionel Loueke (The Vampires Meet Lionel Loueke, shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize), trombonist Shannon Barnett (South Coasting, Chellowdene, Garfish), Dave Rodriguez of Godtet, among others.
"...free and yet unpredictable... ...an almost dreamlike tension at times and in the next moment with daring freshness.... The Vampires have found their very own twist.”
Stefan Michalzik, Live review from Frankfurt
Reviews for Nightjar:
"In one fell swoop, two of the strongest forces in Australian jazz, both of whose music is drenched in melodic beauty, are joined, creating what is palpably a masterpiece." ★★★★★ The Australian
"There's a seductive precision to the music" ★★★★ Jazzwise, editors choice
"Nightjar invites you on a relaxed sound journey, and those who close their eyes can easily imagine the vastness of the continent Down Under in their mind's eye." ★★★★★ Jazzthetik, DE
"The partnership between The Vampires & Abrahams sounds perfectly natural and organic and there’s a lot of mutual trust & respect from both parties. It’s only surprising that it hasn’t happened before." ★★★★ Jazzmann, UK
"enticing psychedelic immersion... ...a kind of permanent musical flow, in which each new note confirms the unique common hypnotic flow of the band, which we would like to listen only on and on. Judge for yourself." His Voice, Czech Rep.
"A captivating jazz experience, Nightjar is lit up by twinkling piano and sweet, sonorous brass." Bandcamp, new and notable
"Chris Abrahams' minimalist approach blends seamlessly into the interaction of the group while he pristine spaces with thrifty harmonic formulas and textural paint overtone layers." ★★★★ 1/2 Concerto Magazine, Austria
"It's really a great album... which I can't find fault with." Off Topic Magazine, Italy
"...ten excellently captivating songs." Nieuwe Noten, NL
"Chris Abrahams’ inclusion in the former group is about as fluent as if he was with the band at its inception." Something Else, USA
"The whole album maintains a relaxed style, not aggressive even in its improvisational moments, pulsing with melodic, journeying self- awareness." Rocking, Greece
"A doubly refined album of well-composed and stylistically convincing songs." Verhoovens Jazz, DE
"Lyrical and rhythmic tracks are in perfect balance on the album, as well as composed and improvised parts." SK Jazz, Slovakia
