Biography

Band Biography

Theak-tet was founded in 1997 to provide a platform for original improvised music compositions. We believe that the synergy achieved by working together as a group allows a freedom and communication not often possible with thrown together groups. The group plays original, harmonically inventive, melodic compositions that provide a platform for flowing improvisations.

Nominated for Australian Jazz Group of the year in 2000. Performance Highlights include Jazzclub Fasching (Stockholm, Sweden), Copenhagen Jazzhouse (Denmark), Apriljazz International Festival (Helsinki, Finland), Brussels Jazz Marathon (Belgium), Unterfahrt (Munich, Germany), Kaiserkeller (Detmold, Germany), Basement (Sydney), Bennetts Lane (Melb), Side On Café (SIMA), Lansdowne Hotel (Jazz Groove Collective) , Sydney Uni Jazz Festival, Strawberry Hills Hotel (SIMA), Hopetoun Hotel, Manly International Jazz Festival. The group successfully toured Europe in 2001 where they played to strong audiences in some of Europe’s finest jazz venues. In January 2000 the group also undertook a highly successful tour of Australia where the group performed to sell out crowds in Sydney, Melbourne, and regional Australia as well as being recorded live at Bennett's Lane, Melbourne for Jim McLeod's Jazz Track for National radio.

TV appearances include the ABC’s recent documentary on Australian jazz ‘The Pulse’, where theak-tet was a featured performer both on television on on the series soundtrack. Radio performances include repeated performances on ABC's 'JazzTracks', Radio Nationals 'The Planet' and 2SER's 'from the corner' and Theak-tet's music has been broadcast into South-East Asia via Radio Australia. Live radio performances include 2SER and ABC. Recordings include The 2000 Melbourne International Jazz Festival Compilation (which also includes Chick Corea and Gary Burton), 'From the Corner' an album showcasing Sydney's emerging artists. Both 'from the Corner' and their debut album 'yellow glasses' received favourable reviews both internationally and domestically, including a 4and 1/2 star (out of 5) review in The Sydney Morning Herald.

theak-tet personnel

David Theak (tenor saxophone) highly respected saxophonist / bandleader on the Australian jazz scene. David was the first musician to receive a Master of Music (jazz performance) from the University of Sydney and as a performer David has led his group theak-tet on tours of Australia and Europe including performances at many of Scandinavia’s world class jazz venues and has been featured on dozens of Australian albums including Steve Hunters Nine Lives released nationally through ABC records and theak-tet’s ‘Yellow Glasses’ & Gamla Stan. An experienced composer David compositions are frequently heard on National radio / TV. He has also written compositions for other groups including the Kristen Cornwell Quintet and has produced three albums including Jazzgroove, a compilation of Sydney’s finest new improvised music. David leads the Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra and co-leads the Good Guys.

James Muller (guitar). Winner 2000 National Jazz Awards, ARIA jazz CD of the year 2001, MO awards jazz performer of the Year 2001. As one of Australia’s most acclaimed and gifted jazz musicians, James has performed with Vince Jones, James Morrision, and the internationally acclaimed Chad Wackerman group. James has recorded three albums for ABC, and has performed on a multitude of local releases since moving to Sydney from Adelaide in 1997.

Phil Stack (contrabass) is one of Australia’s most exciting and in demand musicians. Winner of 1997, Morrison Scholarship, Phil a member of James Morrison’s quintet and has performed with such luminaries as Dale Barlow, Emma Pask, Sandy Evans and Rai Thistlethwaite.

Felix Bloxsom (drums & cymbals). Winner 2004 National jazz Awards, Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year 2004. Plays with James Muller Trio, Theak-tet, Jackie Orzasky and Darren Percival

Some other great musicians who have played with theak-tet in the past include Matt McMahon, Dave Goodmam, Craig Simon, Greg Coffin, Nick Southcott, Phil Rex, Cathy Harley, Darrin Archer, Simon Sweeney, Ashley Sewell, Craig Scott, Sandy Klose, and Jasper Leak.