Album Notes

SERGE ERMOLL JR.
For nearly 40 years, jazz pianist Serge Ermoll has been renowned for his exceptional skills, constantly pushing boundaries, while defying th e marketplaces demands to conform. His group, Free Kata, formed in the 1970s, ripped open the heart of music aesthetics in Australia (John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald, August 2003).
Ermoll has played with some of the greats of the international jazz scen e. During the recording of more than 29 internationally released albums & playing on the live circuit across the globe, he has created moments with some of the greatest names in modern jazz.
Visiting the U.K. in the late sixties, he was invited to fill in for Dudley Moore, when he was invited to Hollywood. A revered musician before finding fame in the latter, Moore never returned to the U.K. as a regular player. Serge went on to become an integral member of what was the Dudley Moore Trio, playing consis te ntly for the next 7 years in the territory as a result. A regular at the prestigous Ronnie Scotts to sight one example, during that period.
Other artists of significance he has collaborated with include, Richie Cole, Lester Bowie, Don Moyee, Phil Woods, Art Pepper, Joe Henderson, Eddie Moore, Herb Ellis, Ray Brown, Sonny Stitt, Jimmy Whitherspoon, Ernestine Anderson, Dizzie Gillespie, Roscoe Mitchell, David Leibman, Odeon Pope, The Art Ensemble Of Chicago, John Scofield, George Cables, Branford Marsali s, Ralph Pena (bass from Clare Fisher's Band), John Lee (bass from Mccoy Tyner's Band), and many more.
Jim McLeod (jazz presenter ABC FM). Excerpts from the liner notes from
The Jazz Masters ('99) recorded with Herb Elllis & Ray Brown.
You can always rely on Serge Ermoll's music for one element. It will never be dull.
He may play it pretty wild or straight ahead or free but it will always be an involving experience.
While Serge seems equally at home in many different areas of jazz, his real importance is as one of those very necessary experimenters. His experience is extensive and has seen him at the forefront of jazz in Australia for the past thirty years. End quote
Boasting a 5th Dan black belt in karate, and formerly having a day job as a private detec tiv e, Ermoll has always been a character, within & beyond his music.
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