Jason Bruer's High 5

Historical article recovered from a Wayback capture dated 2018-02-24.

Jason’s musical career started in the early eighties prior to studying for a jazz diploma at the Adelaide University. He was already semi professional by the time he started his studies and in 1984 moved to Sydney with 8 piece R&B band Fat Time who, having outgrown the scene in Adelaide, went on to become one of Australia’s most popular live acts. They were constantly in demand for live gigs and appeared many times on TV including the Ray Martin show, the Mike Walsh show, Hey Hey its Saturday and were the winners of Starsearch in 1986. They also supported Joe Cocker, Santana, Joan Armatrading and K C and the Sunshine Band on their national tours. As well as working with Fat Time, Jason freelanced with some of the biggest bands of that period including the Models, the Dynamic Hepnotics, Eurogliders, Steve Kilby and Swannee, performing live and also being featured on their records. In 1988 Jason moved to London. The move paid off and within a short period of time established himself and managed to work in both the jazz scene and the pop scene successfully. In the pop world and as a session musician, Jason has played with and arranged for a veritable who’s who of the music business including Eric Clapton , Sting, Mick Hucknell, Mica Paris, BB King, Stevie Winwood, Madness, Paul Weller, All Saints, Van Morrison, Jools Holland and Lulu to name but a few. As a bandleader and composer he formed acclaimed fusion outfit Pond Life who recorded ‘Spanking the Plankton’ in 1995 and worked around London as well as touring Finland. Jason co- led ‘Smith and Bruer Band” with Roy Ayers’s sideman Tony Smith and enjoyed much success working London’s club scene with their infectious brand of retro jazz funk. The band recorded ‘Searching for a Cool Basement” in 2001. He has toured extensively around Britain, Europe and Scandinavia with various bands and has appeared on TV many times including Top of the Pops; later with Jools Holland, and Chris Evans’s shows Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush and TFI Friday and was also in the house band on Richard Littlejohn’s chat show. He’s played on many TV theme tunes and film scores including the soundtrack to Four Weddings and a Funeral. Since returning to Sydney in early 2006 he has been busy re-establishing himself. Within a few weeks he found himself touring Australia as part of the Good Vibrations festival with English band The Cuban Brothers supporting James Brown. Since then he has been part of the house band for Simon Burkes chat show ’ Studio A ’ completing an 8 show series playing with the likes of Glen Shorrock , Kate Ceberano and Leo Sayer. He features regularly with John Morrison’s Swing City, Monica and the Moochers, various tribute bands and teaches at the Australian Institute of music. In late 2008 he released his debut solo album As Above So Below on Vorticity music.

1. WEATHER REPORT- Festival Theatre Adelaide 1979

Without any shadow of a doubt, the greatest gig I have ever seen was Weather Report in 1979 at the festival theatre in Adelaide. This was a ‘mind blowing’ experience for lots of reasons. As a fledgling jazz musician having just started to play in that year, to see this level of musicianship was absolutely staggering. This was Weather Report in their pomp, just after the release of ‘Heavy Weather’ with Peter Erskine and Jaco Pastorius totally ‘monstering’ everything in their path. I have seen other gigs that have blown me away but as this was the first super group I had ever seen in the jazz genre, and coupled with the fact I was 19 and had just started my musical journey, I could never imagine a gig having such an effect on me again, if it does, then maybe I’ve found heaven!!!!!! !!!!! The following four aren’t in any order of preference.

2. LITTLE FEAT- Rainbow Theatre Finsbury Park London 1976 or 77

Little Feat were a great band fronted by the wonderfully enigmatic hedonist Lowell George. Whilst living in London in 1976/77 I was privileged to see this wonderful band at one of London’s greatest rock venues the Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park. Sadly this fantastic, iconic Victorian theatre has now been taken over by some group of happy clappers (at least they’ll be making music). Anyway this was Little Feat at their peak and was just after the release of ‘Time Loves a Hero’, which is one of my favourite albums by Little Feat.

3. MICHAEL BRECKER – Blue Note NYC 1988/89

The late great Michael Brecker has always been a massive influence on me and I’ve been able to see him numerous times. Perhaps the best time was at the Blue Note in New York, on New Year’s Eve 1988/9, sharing the bill with The Chick Corea Electric Band. Brecker had just released his first c.d. as a bandleader and was on fire that night. His solo intro on ‘My One and Only Love’ was worth the cover charge alone.

4. PAT METHENY GROUP – Hammersmith Odeon London 1992

As a composer and guitarist Pat Metheny has been a constant inspiration to me. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing him on numerous occasions in lots of different line ups. Perhaps the most memorable was in 1992 at the Hammersmith Odeon in London with his own band (The Pat Metheney Group) with Lyle Mayes, featuring the music from the ‘Still Life Talking’ c.d. as well as some older favourites. This was an amazing concert. It was presented in more of a rock format with a huge light show and dancers etc and after 3 hours or more has remained one of my all time favourite gigs.

5. MILES DAVIS – North Sea Jazz Festival Netherlands 1988.

In 1988 I went to the North Sea Jazz festival (Holland) and headlining a bill that included pretty much a who’s who of the jazz world was Miles Davis. Despite the fact this was not Miles at his most inspirational who was basically letting the young guns in his band do most of the playing; just to see the great man and soak up his presence was a moment I will cherish. Watching him direct the band and run the show was awe inspiring, a true master at work and at peace with himself.