New music in jazz tradition

Press, 8 March 1984, Page 9

New music in jazz tradition

The name Primitive Art

group means something different to each of the group’s five members.

The Wellington music group is Neill Duncan, David Donaldson, Stuart Porter, David Watson, and Anthony Donaldson. It is no accident that the name is not specific. The musicians chose a name that did not limit the group to a particular style of music.

Most often described as a jazz group, the musicians say they do not really fit that category. “We play a range of music, new music in the

jazz tradition with the emphasis on improvisation,” said Stuart Porter.

Collective improvisation is the main aim of the group, which has been to-

gether for about three years. The musicians gave a concert last evening at the State Trinity Theatre as part of the Christchurch Festival and will give another this evening. Fringe festival appearances include shows in the City Mall today and tomorrow. The Primitive Art group has toured New Zealand and

has appeared on television and radio. The group plans a record and a North Island

tour after the Christchurch Festival. The group will also appear at the “Off the Deep End” Festival in Wellington, which they have helped to organise.

Audiences for the mainly acoustic group varied, members said. “We get a cross-section of people,” said Anthony Donaldson. “We can promise that people who come to see us will be musically surprised.”

&A Christchurch Festival