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Sean Mackenzie

Sean Mackenzie began playing the piano at the age of 9, by 11 he was performing his original works in competitions and by 15 had started performing professionally with jazz and rock bands. Since graduating from Queensland Conservatorium of Music in 1987 he has travelled widely composing, performing and teaching. With influences from all corners of the world, Sean’s music travels from one hemisphere to another and back again, connecting with people from around the world and exploring their voices. The beauty of Sean Mackenzie’s music is its undulating melodies, profound harmonies and creative improvisation.
Sean finds inspiration in the music of Brazil, Latin Americas, Africa, Asia and the European Gypsies. He developed a unique understanding and sound with music making him one of the exceptional musicians and composers of our time. Sean was invited to Curso de Verâo, an International summer school for music in Brazil in Sean conducted master classes and performed his own work with Jeff Andrews on bass and Kiko Freitas on drums. In The Netherlands, Sean worked at the Conservatorium of Music with percussionist Nippy Noya and in Japan Sean composed music for Nikkatsu Film Studios and recorded his first album “Talking to Myselves” with Ricardo Sagiorato on bass and Tommy Campbell on drums. In Australia, Sean has recorded 2 more albums “Off 2 C the Planet” with Jimi Sofo on bass and Deva Permana on Kendang and “Brasil” with Christopher Soulos on bass and Calvin Welch on drums.
You can hear Sean on his new album “Brasil” (released 2011), Talking To Myselves (released 2000), Off 2 C The Planet (released 2002) as well as recent releases of Lulo Reinhardt’s “Live in Melbourne” CD & DVD (released 2008) & “Katoomba Birds” (released 2011).

Gear

Kurzweil SP2X, Korg Wavestation A/D, Nord Electro, Hugh Tracey Kalimbas, Cooperman Pandeiro, Berimbau


Tags

“Mackenzie is a master storyteller. Every piano solo is a deftly shaped little narrative that unfolds compellingly from one note to the next. Those who have been enthralled by his work as foil to guitarist Lulo Reinhardt should enjoy Mackenzie’s own music, here consisting of nine Brazilian-flavoured originals. These are realised with bassist Christopher Soulos and drummer Calvin Welch, who mostly adopt an unusually minimalist approach, so the focus is kept on the compassion of those piano and electric piano stories. On Friends, Mackenzie swaps to thumb piano for a delightful introduction to a jazzier piece, while his berimbau playing on the title track almost steals the show.”
John Shand The Sydney Morning Herald

“… Besides Lulo, there were three compelling reasons for this: Sydney-sourced pianist (well, multi-instrumentalist, truthfully) Sean Mackenzie probably foremost among them. Mackenzie is so dazzling, he rivals Lulo for TKO performance

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Primary Instrument

Piano

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Enschede Conservatorium of Music - Enschede, The Netherlands.
Escola de Musica - Brasilia, Brazil
JMC - Sydney, Australia

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Brasil

Self Produced
2011

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Videos

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