Sam Anning
Gig Seeker Pro

Sam Anning

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Band Jazz

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Cool Choulai"

Sam Anning is one of my favourite bassists these days. I’ve heard him at Wang and at Hippo, and he’s always wonderful. This night he was stunning. A beautiful tone, reminiscent of gut (Velvet strings, Realistic pickup, Gallien-Krueger amp; not sure about his bass although this may be the most significant component). But most importantly, his playing: stunning! Modern, fluid, responsive, contrapuntal, implicit; lots of solos, stunning speed but only when needed. It was a beautiful and memorable performance. - CanberraJazz.net


"Bass Awards"

Bass is the instrument for the National Jazz Awards at this year’s Wangaratta Jazz Festival. I'm not there, but I’ve just listened to the finals on ABCFM JazzTrack. The finalists don't seem controversial: Sam Anning, Phil Stack and Ben Waples. All are worthy players. I know the first two from several performances in Canberra. I’ve heard Ben, but don’t feel I know him as well as the other two. The judges were Mike Nock with Craig Scott and Jonathon Zwartz. I’m interested to see if I agree with the results this year. I was at Wang last year and came to a different decision from that of the judges. But they were capable judges, so it just shows the personal nature of such things. I have various thoughts on this year's performances and I’ll only give the smallest summary here. For the record (written before I hear the results), I would give it to Sam Anning for intellectual adventurousness and harmonic richness, second to Phil Stack for exuberance and drive, and third to Ben Waples. I'm not too keen on competitions like this and all three are all capable players, but life is like that. - CanberraJazz.net


"Homage"

THIS release featuring stalwart drummer Allan Browne is one of the best examples of the power of jazz. When it cooks, it melts time, genres and borders, in keeping with this combined generational work.

With Sam Anning's bass and Marc Hannaford's piano, yesteryear standards from Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong and Thelonious Monk are transformed, made fresh and new. At the same time, the trio pays homage with creative candour.

You hear it on the opener, Ellington's Black and Tan Fantasy with the bowed bass resonating against Hannaford's chords working towards an evocative bass solo that just sings.

As always, Browne's ability to blend in perfectly with whoever he plays with, shines through. He gives them the space to stand out. Two originals from Anning and Hannaford blend in. Every track here holds the listener's attention.

The standout: their take on Armstrong's Hotter Than That. After opening with the bass and piano doubling the line, quite an achievement, it morphs with Anning repeating the familiar melody against the chatter of Browne's drums. Everything old is new again. - The Age-Leon Getler


"Treat Me Gently"

New Jazzhead release, Treat Me Gently is the collaborative recording from outstanding musicians, George Coleman Jr. (US), Dale Barlow, Mark Fitzgibbon and Sam Anning.

Capturing a sound that is exciting and inspired with a high level of musicianship, this Quartet encompasses swing, authenticity, original tunes and classic standards, such as Amsterdam After Dark (by George Coleman), There’s No Then In Zen (Victor Magnani) and The End of A Love Affair, which is played with bebop abandon.

Great Reviews in:
**** Music Australia Guide
“Superb album. Featuring three originals, two Billy Holiday classics and two by New York Guitarist Victor Magnani.”

**** The Age, Green Guide
“This album is addictive, you keep going back to it over and over again.”

The Weekend Australian ***1/2
“The romantic mood and musicianship of this quartet is classic swing jazz. Their mix of standards and originals begins appropriately with Amsterdam After Dark, written by famous American saxophonist George Coleman Sr. Press replay and treat me gently.”

***1/2 Sunday Herald Sun
“This is warm, melodic music with a firm rhythmic underpinning and mostly gentle swing. These fine musicians are never out of their comfort zones so listeners can relax and delight in their dexterity and finesse.” - Jazzhead


Discography

2009 ‘Homage’- Anning, Hannaford, Browne (Jazzhead)
2009 ‘Crossover’- Daniel Gassin Trio (Vorticity)
2008 ‘Treat Me Gently’- Dale Barlow, George Coleman, Mark Fitzgibbon, Sam Anning (Jazzhead)
2007 ‘Ten Healing Songs- Hush Vol. 7’- Paul Grabowsky (Hush)
2007 ‘Duende’ Joe Chindamo Romantic Project (Newmarket Music)
2007 ‘Jazztrack Sessions’- Compilation (ABC Jazz)
2007 ‘Kiss My Wami’- Compilation (WAM)
2006 ‘Re-Turning Point’- Sam Anning Quintet (Independent)
2006 ‘The Spanish Tinge’- Ben Winkelman Trio (Jazzhead)
2005 ‘Jazz Juice’- Graham Wood Trio +2 (Independent)
2005 ‘Blues In The Night’- Mat Jodrell (Morrison Records)
2005 ‘Love, Blues and other Fiction’ - Joe Chindamo/Graeme Lyall (Newmarket Music).
2004 ‘Stand and Flow’- Grant Windsor Trio (Newmarket Music)
2004 ‘Real’- Graham Wood Trio (Independent)
2004 ‘Glyn MacDonald Trio’- Glyn MacDonald Trio (Independent)
2003 ‘Here and Now’- Compilation (Jazzwa)
2002 ‘Jazzaziz’- Compilation (Jazzwa)

Photos

Bio

At 27 years of age, Sam Anning is one of Australia’s foremost up-and-coming Jazz musicians. After graduating from WAAPA completing a Bachelor of Jazz (Performance), Sam went on to study and perform in New York City, the U.K., and Europe, where he also developed and broadened his compositional and performance style. He received the Toyota Scholarship for Jazz (2001), was a finalist in the James Morrison Scholarship twice, performed in Sydney as a finalist in the 2006 Freedman Fellowship, was a finalist in the 2007 Melbourne Prize for Music, received 3rd place in the 2008 National Jazz Awards, and received the 2008 Bell Award for Young Jazz Musician of the Year.

Sam has performed with a large number of national and international artists including: Andy Milne, Bernie McGann, Paul Grabowsky, Tony Gould, Allan Browne, Diana Doherty, Wycliffe Gordon, Mike Nock, Goldner String Quartet, Graeme Lyall, Sheila Jordan, Chris Cheek, Darren Sigesmund, George Garzone, Will Vinson, Katie Noonan, James Morrison, Don Burrows, Terrell Stafford, Graham Collier, Jamie Oehlers, Scott Tinkler, Barney McAll, Bobby Shew, Greg Osby, Dale Barlow, George Coleman Jr, Ingrid Jensen and Carl Orr.

He has been featured as an accompanist and soloist on a number of recordings including, ‘Stand and Flow’- Grant Windsor Trio (Newmarket Music), ‘Hush Vol. 7: Ten Healing Songs’ – Paul Grabowsky (Hush), ‘Blues In The Night’- Mat Jodrell (Morrison Records), ‘Duende’- Joe Chindamo (Jazzhead), ‘The Spanish Tinge’ – Ben Winkelman Trio (Jazzhead), and ‘Love, Blues and other Fiction’ - Joe Chindamo/Graeme Lyall AM (Newmarket Music).

Sam is currently performing as a regular member of many bands including The Joe Chindamo Trio, The Paul Grabowsky Trio, Washington/Grabowsky Band, The Ben Winkelman Trio, The Aaron Choulai Trio, and The Zac Hurren Trio.

The Sam Anning Quintet, Quartet, and Trio play original compositions by Sam, and interprets and improvises on music from a diversity of styles. ‘Re-Turning Point’ is the exciting debut album from the Sam Anning Quintet and features the legendary Graeme Lyall on alto saxophone and the eclectic cello quartet ‘WOOD’ performing Sam’s original compositions. Sam’s compositions can also be heard on the recordings, ‘Glyn MacDonald’- Glyn MacDonald Trio (Independent), ‘Jazzaziz’- Compilation of W.A artists (Independent), and also on tracks recorded for ABC Radio with ‘Speedball’. These compositions have received extensive national radio play.

Sam continues to develop his compositional style and technical proficiency on the double bass. There is a high demand, nationally and internationally for Sam’s talents. He is increasingly becoming one of Australia’s most sought after jazz musicians.

“…No other bassist in Australia swings like Sam. He has technique to burn, a beautiful sonorous sound, and great ears. I predict that he will carve out a name for himself as one of Australia’s most important musicians.” -Joe Chindamo