Since arriving from Melbourne in 2006, bassist/composer Nick Abbey has become an integral fixture of the jazz and contemporary music scenes in WA. Not only a well-known, charismatic, and eminently reliable sideman, this PhD recipient, 2022 APRA PDA finalist, 2020 Freedman Jazz Fellowship nominee, and 2015 National Jazz Awards semi-finalist is also a compelling artistic voice in his own right. His compositions have repeatedly drawn accolades (including four WAM Jazz Song of the Year awards, 2012–2014 and 2019) and he is a widely respected educator at both the University of Western Australia and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), where he recently received the 2021 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Sessional Staff Excellence.
As a performer, Nick has regularly featured with national and international luminaries, including the likes of Veronica Swift, Peter Bernstein, George Garzone, Troy Roberts, Tal Cohen, Paul Grabowsky, and Jamie Oehlers, to name a few. Alongside his long-time collaborators Chris Foster and Daniel Susnjar, Nick’s main creative project is his eponymous trio, an ensemble built on its members’ deep musical and personal connection. Influenced by artists like Avishai Cohen, e.s.t., Phronesis, Brad Mehldau, and Christian McBride, this modern take on the piano trio format has forged a trademark blend of lush harmonies, emotive melodies, dynamic rhythmic interplay, and fiery improvisations. Following on from the album 'Phantoms' (Newmarket Music), the ensemble is beginning work on a new studio release featuring an expanded quintet lineup. Inspired by bassists such as Larry Grenadier, Dave Holland, John Patitucci, Jorge Roeder, and Linda May Han Oh, Nick is also currently working on an audio-visual recording of original music for solo double bass.
Nick's eponymous trio and TRISK are two sides of the same coin, both featuring longtime collaborators Chris Foster (piano) and Daniel Susnjar (drums). The former is a solo acoustic jazz project, while the latter is a collaborative ensemble with a contemporary edge, regularly featuring guest rappers, vocalists, and instrumentalists.
Daniel Susnjar
Specializing in Afro-Peruvian jazz, Daniel Susnjar is one of Australia’s leading voices in drumming, and has performed and recorded with music legends including Chick Corea, Terence Blanchard, Bobby McFerrin, Dave Grusin, and Steve Miller, to name a few. He has received several Bell Awards with his Daniel Susnjar Afro-Peruvian Jazz Group (2015 Best Australian Modern Jazz Album & Australian Jazz Song of the Year) and Speedball (2018 Jazz Song of the Year) as well as a swag of WAM awards, including Best Jazz Act (2016 and 2017), Best Drummer (2016) and Jazz Song of the Year (2015). Daniel holds a Doctoral degree from the University of Miami and is a lecturer at WAAPA.
Chris Foster
Chris Foster is one of Perth’s most in-demand pianists. He has performed with internationally acclaimed artists including Terrell Stafford, Ronald Carter, Frank Foster, Ed Partyka, Ernest Ranglan, Ian Hendrickson-Smith and Dave Guy (Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings), and James Morrison. Chris balances performing and teaching commitments with writing and recording for his original bands, which range from acoustic jazz to hip-hop, where he is a significant contributor to WA legends Downsyde and Optamus, as well as Drapht and Coin Banks.
@NICKABBEYMUSIC
@TRISKMUSIC