Francesca Prihasti and Nic Vardanega Quartet

“Prihasti’s sprightly solo glides with imaginative melodic ideas” John Mcbeath (Weekend Australia)

Emerging pianist/composer Francesca Prihasti and guitarist Nic Vardanega return to Foundry616 tonight to present original music from both Francesca’s debut album, ‘Night Trip’ and recent album ‘Evolving’ recorded in the New York as well as some new material written by both composers.

This will be their first gig since returning from New York, where Francesca is currently pursuing a master’s degree and both she and Nic are performing widely across the city with some great musicians.

Guitarist/composer Nic Vardanega was nominated for “Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year” in the 2015 Bell Awards, and is an exciting emerging voice on the Australian jazz scene. A graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Nic has been a sought after musician, performing with Australian Jazz icon Mike Nock as well as being a regular member of rising star pianist Francesca Prihasti’s Quartet.

Nic has recorded alongside first call New York City musicians including drummers Ulysses Owens Jr and Rodney Green as well as bassists Orlando le Fleming and Marco Panascia. His debut album ‘Invenro’ was released in late 2014 to critical acclaim. The album featured all original compositions by Vardanega and explored music influenced by his Italian heritage.

Featuring:

Francesca Prihasti (piano)
Hannah James (double bass)
Nic Vardanega (guitar)
Tim Geldens (drums)

“You don’t have to be a Jazz ‘only’ fan to enjoy this album, with classical tones and relaxing sounds it’s a pleasure to hear Prihastis’s second album. This talented lady is only beginning her journey into the music industry and with such a promising body of work like this, she’s an artist to look out for”.
‘Album of the moment’ by Josh Crosbie (Eastside Radio)

“Prihasti’s delicately considered improvisations feel as though they are gliding down the piano in a dancing line – like water droplets dancing down a window – to a beautiful chord which hits with the rest of the band.” Samuel Cottell (Cut Common Mag, Australian Jazz)