Dave Goodman

The Dave Goodman Quartet is the new, highly anticipated band led by well-known Australian drummer Dave Goodman. Not only does the quartet feature Dave's drumming in his ideal setting with his favourite musicians, but it also highlights the unique melodic richness of his compositional style, which he has been developing since 1996. Dave has this to say about his band:

"I'm excited about taking my new quartet out on the road and into the recording studio starting in 2015. This combination of players feels perfect to me. The first time we played together was as magical and mystical to me as though a dream had come true. I think Australian jazz audiences have been waiting to hear a voice like Peter Koopman on the guitar. He has such a sweet sound and his inventiveness is individual. Matt McMahon and Cameron Undy I'm sure are not unfamiliar to listeners. They've been friends and colleagues of mine for nearly 20 years. I'm really happy to be able to call on these guys and to entrust with my music at this time."

Originally hailing from the lush, verdant countryside of rural New Zealand, Peter Koopman has become a regular fixture on Sydney's music scene since his arrival in late 2011, appearing with various jazz and pop groups around the country and abroad. His love of music was first sparked by the many and varied albums in his Dad's record collection, and he spent his late teens gigging around the Auckland jazz scene in bands led by Roger Manins and Frank Gibson jr, before a couple of visits to Australia prompted him to up sticks and move. Recent highlights include tours to Asia with the Briana Cowlishaw Band, and playing in Tim Firth's jazz-metal band Scoredatura. In 2014 Peter placed 3rd in the prestigious National Jazz Awards at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival. He currently tours with Katie Noonan.

Pianist and composer Matt McMahon has been a part of the jazz scene in Australia since completing his studies, a BA(hons) and an ADJS, in 1994. He leads the Matt McMahon Trio and is a co-leader of the Band of Five Names with which he has recorded several albums. Matt is also the musical director for Vince Jones and a frequent collaborator with such artists as Phil Slater, Katie Noonan, Sandy Evans, Simon Barker, Steve Hunter, Dave Panichi and many others. He has appeared with a variety of groups and at major music festivals both in Australia (Jazznow and Wangaratta Jazz Festival) and overseas. Matt’s recent albums include Paths and Streams and Ellipsis, both recorded for the Kimnara label.

Born in 1969, Cameron Undy graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium jazz course as a double and electric bassist in 1989. He carved out a formidable career as a bassist in the 90's in Australia playing luminaries ranging from Mike Nock to James Morrison, and he spent the early 2000s travelling and performing throughout Europe with the "Nu Jazz" wave of dance floor artists. Cameron is a founding member and the inaugural president (1997-2000) of the Jazzgroove Association that presents over 100 concerts a year. His career covers many genres as a live performer and studio session musician on both electric and upright basses. He is the co-director of the landmark Venue 505 that went from underground fame, to become one of Sydney’s leading (legitimate) live music spaces. Cameron was included in the Sydney Morning Herald's "Sydney Magazine" annual list of 100 Most Influential and Inspiring People in 2011.

Jazz critic John Clare has described Dave Goodman as ‘one of the leading drummers in the country’ and ‘[one of] the most intriguing drummers recording anywhere’. Dave is the drummer with some of Australia’s most important jazz ensembles - Ten Part Invention, the Kevin Hunt Trio, and Warwick Alder’s Jazzgnostics. He has worked with a long list of luminaries - both Australian and international - including Joe Lovano, Bob Berg, Bernie McGann, James Morrison, Don Burrows, Vince Jones, Mike Nock and Mark Isaacs. Dave holds a PhD from Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney.