“Zephyrs of influence weave their way throughout these pieces, lending familiarity and freshness”- Perry Holt – PBS (In the Quiet)
“The music on this CD reveals the magical power of collective improvisation at work ” – Sonic Gallery
This BOWLINES album includes three of Australia’s leading violin players.
They specialise in different genres, but all have strong classical backgrounds and a passion for improvisation.
The musicians have experience and overseas study experience in diverse genres :
Classical, Norwegian, Indian, Blues, Klezmer, Balkan, Turkish , Greek, Irish , Scottish, Jazz.
Bowlines was formed in 2012 by Ernie Gruner to create improvised new music with violinists
of eclectic backgrounds, strong training, passionate playing and love of improvising.
Bowlines is inspired by groups including The Necks, Coolangubra, Kronos Quartet and Born in a Taxi
THE MUSICIANS OF BOWLINES
Heather Stewart’s classical background led her to performing in orchestras and operas in Australia and the UK, but she also developed a passion for blues, jazz and cajun, folk music. Her album "Get Your Fingers Off It!" led to the awards of "Debut Album", "Female Artist of the Year" and "Best Self Produced Album" . Heather is a member of the Heather Stewart Band, The New Sheiks, Melbourne Tango Quintet, Andy Baylor's Banksia Band.
Jenny Thomas has had many musical adventures including rollerskating backwards whilst playing violin for Circus Oz, playing a Norwegian Hardanger solo with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for the Lord of The Rings premiere, a solo concert series in Europe performing Indian classical violin plus a European tour with chamber-pop band ‘Naked Raven’. Her album “Farewell To Old England Forever” won a Golden Fiddle Award. Her latest venture is leading avant-guarde bush band, Jenny M. Thomas and The System who have recently performed at MonaFoma and been signed to a UK record label.
Ernie Gruner led the Monash String Quartet and Orchestra, then playing Irish fiddle, jazz and bush band gigs . He’s improvised music for 14 years with Melbourne Playback Theatre Company, including work for Qantas. He’s performed or created music for theatre including Café Scheherezade and Emma Celebrazion. Ernie is Australia’s leading klezmer violinist, and travelled to New York to study, as well as Kracow, Budapest, and Montreal. He’s played jazz and blues with comedy cabaret band Jugularity, middle-eastern with Yalla! and gypsy music with Bohemian Nights who toured New Zealand six times. Ernie appeared twice on TV’s “Spicks and Specks” and has over 75 recording credits.
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