Summit
EP now available on Bandcamp
‘Summit’ is a collaboration between Pat and one of his oldest friends, violist Aidan Filshie. In January 2022, they reunited to head into Move Studios in Eaglemont, just a few hundred metres away from where the pair grew up.The EP is centred around the title track, a work depicting a climb up a mountain, based on shared experiences for the two from their frequent running/cycling training camps together in the Victorian High Country. 'Summit' is accompanied by two companion pieces, developed as part of one of the inaugural Angus Gray Piano Performance Grants."Their interplay sounds like friendship, as the musicians gracefully alternate leads between passages of mutual support ... each [piece] yields a feeling of hiraeth" - Richard Allen, A Closer Listen
Eldorado
Now available on Vinyl, CD and Digital
When travel plans fell through whilst studying in Denmark, Pat booked a session to record my debut release at Masterkey Studios in Reykjavík. The resulting album mainly consists of his compositions for solo piano, although two also feature the stellar Icelandic chamber ensemble, Siggi String Quartet.Featuring stunning photography by Krystal Neumann, design by Chad Harris and liner notes by Timothy Stevens. Vinyl produced in Thornbury by Program Records."There’s something in these woven melodies and their relaxed timing that calms the soul when peace is needed most" - Headphone Commute (UK)"An impressive debut from a thoughtful and sensitive musician ... the music is peaceful and ruminative but, under a seamless surface there are nuances which are subtle and exquisite" Eric Myers, The Australian
A Sanctuary of Quietude
A large ensemble work co-composed with Callum Mintzis, now available on Made Now Music
Recorded live in the stunning acoustics of St John’s Anglican Church, Camberwell, this album captures the June 2021 premiere of the work in exquisite detail. The bandcamp release is also available with a companion booklet of poetry by Hannah McKittrick and photography by the composers’ close friends.Scored for string quintet, brass quartet, piano and organ, and featuring some of the most exciting voices on the Melbourne improvised music scene (including Helen Svoboda, Niran Dasika and Ashley Ballat) the piece celebrates moments of beauty and stillness in the natural world."There is patience evident at every turn in their new work. A 40-minute suite that unfolds over five movements, it takes its time as it explores delicate themes and subtle variations, slipping back and forth between notation and improvisation. - ★★★★"
─ Jessica Nicholas, The Age. Read the full review here.This work was named as a finalist in the Performance of the Year – Jazz/Improvised Music category of the 2022 APRA AMCOS Art Music Awards.
About
Pat Jaffe is a pianist/composer from Melbourne, Australia who creates music that sits somewhere at the midpoint between the jazz and classical genres. While at school he was mentored by the legendary South African pianist Howard Belling (from the age of eight up until eighteen) and more recently has studied with Tim Stevens and Nico Muhly.Pat was the recipient of the 2020 Allan Zavod Performers' Award, for performance of an original composition that fuses classical music with improvisation. In 2019 he recorded with the Monash Art Ensemble and the Jonathan Cooper Quintet before spending the second half of the year based in Denmark.In January 2020, Pat visited Masterkey Studios in Reykjavík to record his debut album, Eldorado, with acclaimed producer/engineer Sturla Mio Þórisson. The album (released in October, 2020) is mainly composed of solo piano works but also includes two tracks with the Icelandic chamber ensemble, Siggi String Quartet.Pat has recently worked as an arranger with Nai Palm (Hiatus Kaiyote) and collaborated with Academy Award winning singer-songwriter Markéta Irglová. His 2021 release, A Sanctuary of Quietude, co-composed with Callum Mintzis, was named as a finalist in the Performance of the Year – Jazz/Improvised Music category of the 2022 APRA AMCOS Art Music Awards.In 2022, he released an EP of works for viola and piano, Summit, with his long-time collaborator, Aidan Filshie, including works composed as part of an Angus Gray Piano Performance Grant. In 2023, Pat participated in Flinders Quartet's EMERGE composer development program, recorded for a Hush Foundation solo piano album and began an ongoing weekly residency at Old Plates Record Bar with South African drummer Brian Abrahams.He also plays Double Bass, works as a climate change economist and competes in running and orienteering races.
Upcoming Shows
Saturday 25 May, 7pm
Alta Collective 'In the Wee Small Hours' @ Chapter House
More details/ticketsFriday 14 June, 8pm
Pat Jaffe Band @ Cross Street
More details coming soonThursday 20 June, 8pm
Mia Barham Ensemble @ Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy
Tickets/details coming soonSaturday 22 June, 3pm
Pat Jaffe + Ailsa Mitchell w string quartet (ft. Niran Dasika) & The Gallery of Good, Trafalgar
More details coming soonFriday 9 August, 6pm
Fem Belling: Project Mzansi @ NGV Friday Nights
More details/ticketsEvery Wednesday, 8pm
Afrospace Jazz Industry Residency @ Old Plates, FitzroyLast Tuesday of the month, 7:30pm
Jazzlab Orchestra @ The Jazzlab, Brunswick
Details/tickets
***More events coming soon - Sign up to my newsletter to find out first! ***
Available Works
String Quartet
Sketch (2020) - with optional improvised piano part
first fall (2023)
String Quartet + Piano
Hannah (2020)
Catharsis (2018)
Felt (2020)
Grandma's Song (2020)
Large Ensemble
A Sanctuary of Quietude (2021) - co-composed with Callum Mintzis
Solo Instruments
Summit (2021) - for Viola (also available for solo Flute)
Threshold (2021) - for Viola
Descent (2021) - for Viola
Hopefully Demoralised (2020) - for Piano (suitable for beginners)
+ Various pieces for improvising jazz ensembles/soloistsPerformance enquirires are welcome, please contact me for more details.
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