Album Notes

STRAIGHT UP! (BIOS)
STRAIGHT UP!(TRIO) featuring Eric C. Ajaye/basses, Michael Azzopardi/piano and keyboards and Chris Thwaite/drums and percussion has been presenting outstanding concerts around Australia since its inception in 2005, performing at jazz festivals and jazz venues and receiving excellent reviews from audiences and promoters. THE FLOW their first cd featuring guest artist Miroslav Bukovsky/trumpet and flugelhorn, on two tracks, has been enthusiastically received since its release.

Eric C. Ajaye (bass) came from the U.S. He lectures and teaches bass in the Jazz Department at the ANU School of Music. He has had extensive experience in the U.S., playing with musicians such as Freddie Hubbard, Bennie Maupin, Nancy Wilson, Della Reese, Gary Bartz, Bayete, George Howard, the Doug Macleod Band as well as the blues legend, Taj Mahal. Eric has also done session-work for film, records and television in the U.S as a bassist. Since arriving in Australia he has performed with some of Australia’s leading jazz musicians such as Bob Sedergreen, Christine Sullivan, Miroslav Bukovsky, James Morrison, Bernie McGann, Paul Grabowski, David Jones, Bob Barnard, the Mike Price Trio, Col Hoorweg, John Mackey, the Time Within Duo (with Mike Nelson), Kevin Hunt………..


Michael Azzopardi (piano) started classical piano at five. He also studied jazz piano and by age 16 he was playing with some Sydney’s best jazz and session musicians such as: James Morrison, Simon Sweeney, Roger Manins, Jeremy Alsop, and more.. He was a member of the band for Australia’s production of “Saturday Night Fever”, which toured Australia and Asia. Michael has performed at many Sydney jazz venues including The Basement, Soup Plus, Side-On Cafe and the Seymour Centre.

Chris Thwaite (drums) an alumnus of the ANU School of Music has been playing in and recording with bands: world/folk outfit, 'Malumba', jazz quartet 'Katook' and Straight Up! He has performed with Miroslav Bukovsky, Carl Dewhurst, James Valentine and many others….