Way Out West

The sounds of Africa, Vietnam and Australia will come together when the unique award-winning jazz band Way Out West performs at the Don Russell Performing Arts Centre in Thornlie on Friday, 4 June at 8pm. Way Out West combines sounds and instruments from across the globe to produce traditional jazz melodies infused with the taste of Asia and the beat of Africa. The Melbourne-based sextet comprises traditional Vietnamese musician Dung Nguyen, West African percussionist Ray Pereira, Sri Lankan-born firebrand drummer Rajiv Jayaweera, saxophonist Paul Williamson, acoustic bassist Howard Cairns and band leader Australian trumpeter/composer Peter Knight. Some of the band’s more exotic instruments include the dan nguyet (Vietnamese mandolin), dan tranh (Vietnamese zither) and dan bau (modified electric guitar). Way Out West has a growing international following and has appeared in major global festivals including the Montreal Jazz Festival, Veneto Jazz Festival in Italy, Takatsuki Jazz Festival in Japan and EBS Space Festival in Seoul. Its reputation was further enhanced winning the 2009 Bell Jazz Ensemble of the Year Award. Don’t miss this outstanding group of musicians in concert at The Don. Admission is $27.80 standard, $23.70 concession and $20.20 students and groups of 10 or more. For bookings or information, please call 9493 4577 or visit www.gosnells.wa.gov.au and click on the Don Russell Performing Arts Centre link to buy tickets online.