Adam Rudegeair brings a new twist on his latest venture, The Bowie Project to Shadow Electric on Friday 6th November, injecting some 70s jazz-fusion into his experimental Bowie arrangements.
It has been a big year for David Bowie fans in Melbourne, particularly with the immensely popular David Bowie Is Exhibition arriving at ACMI in July. Shortly before it opened, Adam Rudegeair and his jazz quintet had launched The Bowie Project album with a sold-out performance at Stonnington Jazz Festival. After then playing at the opening of the exhibition, Adam came back to ACMI with his quintet to perform The Bowie Project as part of the weekend Bowie symposium.
Since then, the project has continued to grow, selling out nights at The Paris Cat and performing last month as part of Kew Courthouseās latest season.
Now, The Bowie Project is going electric for one very special night at Shadow Electric. Swapping the horn section for guitar and percussion, The Electric Bowie Project will filter the compositions of David Bowie through the lens of 70s jazz-fusion, such as Herbie Hancockās Headhunters, Chick Corea Elektric Band, and Miles Davisā Tribute to Jack Johnson.
The performance will feature bandleader Adam Rudegeair in what will be the first public appearance of his Mark 1 Fender Rhodes 88. Adam is joined by his quintet, including Thom Mitchell on electric and acoustic drums and Stephen Lane on electric bass. Awesome local experimental jazz cats Career Advice, with Lewis Moody at the helm, will open the night.
Adam has always been interested in overlapping his jazz roots with the realms of funk, rap and outer space. His major influences include Prince and the Minneapolis sound, New Orleans R+B and funk, stride piano, and Afro-futuristic bands such as Parliament, Sun Ra Arkestra and Janelle MonƔe. Adam recently returned from a trip to Minneapolis, New Orleans, and New York, writing and recording original jazz-funk fusion with former Prince band members Dr Fink, Eric Leeds and Sonny Thompson.
Adam is highly sought after across Melbourne to perform as part of jazz, funk and soul bands (and beyond!), including Lake Minnetonka, Henry Manetta, the Ruby Rogers Experience, Chelsea Wilson, and Glasfrosch. He teaches piano at the
Australian College of the Arts and runs the jazz piano course at the CAE (Centre for Adult Education). In addition to performing, for the last six years Adam has presented the jazz show Black Wax every Monday on Melbourneās own PBS 106.7fm.
Read our Q&A with Adam.
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