While You Were Sleeping by Julien Wilson

The musicians on while you were sleeping are:

Julien Wilson – tenor saxophone

Stephen Magnusson – guitars

Stephen Grant – piano accordion

Philip Rex – double bass

Simon Barker – drums

Jordan Murray – trombone

SNAG are:

Julien Wilson – tenor saxophone

Stephen Magnusson - guitar

Bjorn Meyer – electric bass

Sergio Beresovsky – drums

SHORT BIO

Australian saxophonist, Julien Wilson currently lives in Melbourne but has performed in Europe, the USA, Mexico, China, Japan and New Zealand, and studied in Melbourne, Boston and New York. He has been an integral part of many of Australia's leading jazz groups and has played and recorded with many of the countries leading jazz and popular musicians (Mike Nock, Archie Roach, Barney McAll, Daddy Cool, Paul Grabowsky, Thirsty Merc, Augie March, Scott Tinkler).

He has performed with international musicians including Jim Black, Bob Moses, Hugh Masekala, Andy Milne, The Artie Shaw Orchestra and Josh Roseman. As a member of both Ishish and The Australian Art Orchestra his playing has often received special attention by reviewers, including at concerts at the Pori and Umbria Jazz Festivals in 2001.

RHYTHMS MAGAZINE Review by Adrian Jackson - November 2006

The winner of this years Freedman Fellowship, Julien Wilson has been recognised as one of Australias outstanding voices on the tenor saxophone for over a decade now, so its surprising that this is the first album he has released under his own name. Previously, he has recorded as part of bands including Snag, Wilson-Magnusson-Guthrie (aka Assumptions), Ishish and Murphys Law.

The album features Wilson's tenor in two settings: a trio with Steve Magnusson (acoustic guitar) and Stephen Grant (piano accordion), or a band featuring Magnusson on electric guitar, along with Jordan Murray (trombone), Philip Rex (bass) and Simon Barker (drums). The latter produces some splendidly assertive yet thoughtful playing. For example, check out the rollicking, intoxicated journey that is "The Tasteless Adventures of Shabby McBrown".

Yet it is the trio that really makes this such an outstanding album. Cushioned by the rich tones of the accordion, complemented by Magnussons lyrical lines, Wilson produces a gorgeous tone, and some beautifully melodic playing on tracks like "Beautiful Accident", "Desencontro Certo" and "Clube De Esquina". (Everything on the album was written by Wilson, except these last two tracks, by Hermeto Pascoal and Milton Nascimento respectively.) Wilson has always been an admirably bold soloist, but while you were sleeping shows that he has matured into an exceptionally purposeful and articulate one too.

A welcome bonus is the inclusion of a DVD, which shows the Wilson-Magnusson-Grant trio in concert at the BMW Edge auditorium. It runs to 47 minutes; the sound is a little echoey, but not to the extent that it detracts from the beautiful music, while the camerawork is effective because it isn't too fussy.

PAST REVIEWS

"In Julien Wilson's approach to the saxophone, I can hear influences as diverse as Archie Shepp, Jan Garbarek, Ben Webster, Gato Barbieri, Dave Liebman... But particularly, of Mark Simmonds, who is one of the heroes of jazz saxophone in this country. It's great that our own musicians are passing on a sonic legacy that's being picked up by succeeding generations."

Dale Barlow - Music Forum 2005

(review of 'assumptions2')

"Saxophonist Julien Wilson seems to be the leader musically here. His technique is prodigious and he has a wide emotional and sonic range. There are passages here where he shows his grasp of, and personal take on, avant-garde playing from the 60s on up through the present w/ gruff, free-wailing screeds which touch on ideas from Ayler through to D.S. Ware. He also has a firm grip on how to play sensitively at low volumes on more ballad-like, changes style material. Very convincing."

John Dworkin - www.jazzreview.com 2004

(review of 'assumptions2')

"...one of the most exciting musicians in the country." John Shand - Sydney Morning Herald 1999 (live review)

"Aside from being almost everyone's favourite side man, he has established his own identity as an artist and leader” Joe Chindamo - Australian Pianist 2006

"...not only contemporary but quite timeless...the interactions, solos and glorious melody statements cast a spell. Nobody could not like this music!

John Clare - Music Forum 2006

(live review of the JW Trio at the Sydney Opera House)

"...the most ravishingly beautiful music I heard in Melbourne this year. ...the Julien Wilson Trio came together with such astonishing naturalness that the music seemed to be playing itself, pouring out of the players' instruments like glittering lava and sending arrows of aching lyricism straight to the heart."

Jessica Nicholas - The Age 2004

(live review of the JW Trio)

"One of the highlights of the (Melbourne International Jazz) Festival. This was music of great complexity, played passionately by musicians who have more than delivered on their early promise."

Des Cowley - Rhythms Magazine 2003

(live review of Wilson/Magnusson Quartet)

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