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Willow Neilson

Willow Neilson was born in the small hippy town of Nimbin, Australia. His parents were entertainers and environmental activists, Willow spent the early years of his life marching in protests or sleeping in his father’s velvet lined guitar case whilst his parents performed their original musical and theatrical satires. At ten years old he took up the harmonica, practicing blues music with his father in their living room. At 14 he began the saxophone and fell in love with jazz music.

Willow Neilson went on to graduate as one of the top three students in his year at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music then took out third place in three international competitions; Jazz Hoelaart International Competition in Brussels in 2001, Montreaux Jazz Festival Saxophone Competition 2003 and London Jazz Festival Saxophone Competition 2004 both run by the White foundation.

After many years of performing with some of Australia’s top musicians, Willow travelled Europe and the US performing and studying, finally settling in Shanghai in 2007 with the support of an Asialink Arts Residency/ China-Australia council Fellowship which aided him in the beginning stages of musical projects working with Chinese ethnic minority musicians and local Shanghai artists such as Coco Zhao.

Willow recently released his latest album, Lightbulb Life. Through both electronic sampling, electric and acoustic instrumentation his music incorporates the soundscape of the city of Shanghai.

It features Jing Song, a Naxi vocalist from Li Jiang, vocalist Coco Zhao as well as the wealth of musicians working in Shanghai and Hong Kong. The album will be released alongside a website featuring the music and writing of Willow in collaboration with local literature and visual arts collectives, celebrating the characters and scenes of the vast metropolis of Shanghai through multi-media.

Awards

White Foundation Saxophone competition 2003 Montreaux (3rd Place) White Foundation Saxophone competition 2004 London (3rd Place)

Gear

Selmer MkVI, Ralph Morgan mouthpiece


Tags

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Live Review

Willow Neilson Quartet at JZ Club in Shanghai

Read "Willow Neilson Quartet at JZ Club in Shanghai" reviewed by Jenn Chan Lyman


Willow Neilson Quartet JZ ClubShanghai February 22, 2010 Shanghai's jazz haven JZ Club was fairly full for a Monday night in anticipation of Willow Neilson's Lightbulb Lives, a performance based on original works and inspired by Neilson's varied musical background (from the rainforests of Terrania to the mountains of Yunnan). Neilson has been a stalwart of the Shanghai jazz scene from as far back as 2003 and hails from Australia. In Lightbulb Lives, Neilson intertwined Shanghai's soundscape ...

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Performance / Tour

Alec Haavik and Willow Neilson - Double Sax Attack in Shanghai

Alec Haavik and Willow Neilson - Double Sax Attack in Shanghai

Source: All About Jazz

The Alec Haavik Friction Seven is pleased to welcome special guest saxophonist Willow Neilson for Thursday at JZ: June 25, July 2 and July 9. Come witness two of Shanghai's fiercest saxophonists teaming up for a double-saxophone extravaganza! We will feature some brand new works by Willow which utilize the diverse talents of Alec's top-notch band, such as “Recycling Man," an experimental piece combining jazzy chords with a recording of the infamous bicycle-riding loudspeaker-blaring presence in Shanghai, which calls out ...

"Neilson’s interpretation of the melodies we ignore everyday sends a thought-provoking message. Perhaps the next time I hear that guy on his bike marketing refrigerator-repair skills I’ll feel something other than rage. Lightbulb Lives exemplifies a different way to listen to the world around us. Lemonade out of lemons; music out of noise."- Jenn Chan Lyman- Urbanatomy.com (2010)

Among other things, jazz is the art of building and releasing tension, and Neilson’s band gives a lesson in this on their CD, belying the members’ age and experience. There is no sense of treading water or fishing for ideas as the improvising races from one action-packed episode to another leaving pools of suspense between. The drama suggests near desperation to vent ideas and energy… -John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald 12th April 2002

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Lightbulb Life

E.L. Mahon/Independent Label
2012

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