Alex Burns and Jen Hawley

To read the recent article featuring Jen in Rhythms Magazine Feb 2012, click this link to download: Jen Article

Music Demos -click on the play arrow to listen

Imagine the crossroads where rural blues meets early jazz, the rhythmic dexterity resonating with elements of blues, jazz, gypsy swing, calypso and sega, the result is intelligent fun. As for influences the whole gang is here, from Son House, Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt to Fats Waller, everyone from New Orleans to Django and Oscar Aleman, throw in original compositions, a disarming talent for humour and rapport with their audience, casually sharing historical facts, we want to leave folks knowing more and wanting more.

Bio

After numerous exciting improvisations together, whether gigs around Melbourne or Sunday afternoons on the back porch, Alex Burns and Jen Hawley realised it was time. The chemistry was right. They had to commit to performing and recording as a duo. Constantly teaching and challenging each other, making for a dynamic musical partnership. One of Australia’s most respected acoustic musicians, Alex collaborated with guitarist Nick Charles for three albums, before making three solo albums, two of which featured Hawaiian steel guitar and were critically acclaimed worldwide. Originally from Glasgow, Scotland, famous for its blues singers, Alex plays resophonic guitars and ukulele with a deceptive ease born from years playing festivals, pubs and clubs from Australia to Fiji to Edinburgh. Jen is a graduate of the late great jazz tutor Bruce Clarke, and has worked as a guitarist for the likes of Christophe Genoux, Great Chefs of Europe and Blue Drag. Originally from Sydney, Jen has been teaching and performing guitar for many years. She has diverse interests in jazz and world music. Jen is constantly in demand for sessions, live performance, teaching and recording projects.

Quotes

“He’s one out of the box”
Lee Howard, Sunday Herald Sun Melbourne.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met a “National” guitar player with as much passion for the instrument and the music”
Kate Campbell, musician/songwriter

Jen has a background in both classical and jazz, but is one of those true troubadours, like Alex, who hear music for what it is, not by genre.

The connecting point for both is blues and early jazz, a purists nightmare, a listener’s dream.

Rooster McBlurter – MBAS Bluesletter

Alex Burns selected performances and recordings
Byron Bay blues festival, Noosa Heads jazz fest, Melbourne blues festival
Melbourne jazz festival, Port Fairy folk festival, Apollo Bay festival
Brunswick festival, Bridgetown blues festival, Brisbane steel guitar festival
Edinburgh festival, Wangaratta jazz festival, Fiji Islands various extravaganza’s
The Road More Travelled (Newmarket music new 1005.2)
Cordially Yours (Newmarket music new 1043.2)
Anywhere Anytime (Blackmarket music bmm 213.2)
Twilight Blues (Blackmarket music 237.2)
The Blues is here to stay (Newmarket music new 3164.2)
Adventures in Paradise (Newmarket music new 3256.2)

Jen Hawley selected performances and recordings
Glamour Bar Shanghai China, MCG Melbourne, Arts Centre Melbourne
Crown Casino, Regent Theatre, National Folk festival Canberra
Frankston guitar festival, Paco Festa, Bayside festival, Bendigo festival
Maroondah festival, Winter Arts festival
2002 Parisienne Swing by the Great Chefs of Europe
2003 Dr Knickerbocker by Mike Jackson
2003 Dark Water Tango by Phil Carroll and David Wayman
2004 Cumquat Guitars Anthology – Bruce Clarke
2005 She Fly Away by Skirl
2007 Adventures in Paradise – Alex Burns