The Music Council of Australia and Freedman Foundation have announced the short list for the MCA/Freedman Jazz Fellowship for 2011.

The winner of the Jazz Fellowship will be announced following a public concert, “Freedman Jazz”, to be performed in The Studio of the Sydney Opera House at 7.30pm on Friday July 8, featuring the four finalists and their bands.

Inaugurated in 2001, the Freedman Music Fellowships, administered by the Music Council of Australia, offer a unique opportunity for some of Australia’s most talented classical and jazz musicians to further their careers. The prize money for the Freedman Jazz Fellowship is $15,000. The award comprises cash and consultations to assist with non-musical aspects of career-building, as well as active support from Music Council personnel during the Fellowship period.

The finalists are—

Tom O’Halloran (piano/composer, Perth) leads his own original jazz piano trio, conducts orchestras from time to time, composes new classical music, plays wild old analogue synthesizers and even rock guitar. In 2009 he arranged all the music for JONI, a Joni Mitchell tribute performed at the Sydney Opera House and he also directed the sell out seasons of Hymne a Piaf in Sydney and Melbourne. He has performed both here and overseas and own groups have supported artists such as Harry Connick Jr and Natalie Cole.

Ben Vanderwal (Drums, Perth/Melbourne) is one of the most in-demand jazz drummers in Australia today He has participated in several US tours, performing with Chris Potter, Manny Duran, Sam Yahel, Dennis Irwin and William Gallison. He has toured internationally with the Jamie Oehlers Quartet and nationally with Rumberos and The Hands. He has performed with international jazz luminaries Mark Murphy, Madeleine Peyroux, Rufus Reid and Ernie Watts.

Evan Mannell (drums, Sydney) plays the drums for a number of groups and artists on the jazz, indie-rock and underground scenes. He also performs as part of the Musica Viva in Schools programme performing interactive concerts across the country for primary school children with the Glorious Sousaphonics. Evan can be heard on more than 30 local jazz and independent releases over the last 10 years.

Matt Keegan (Saxophone/composer/director, Sydney) plays saxophone in a number of Sydney bands and has also performed and toured with such artists as Guy Sebastian and Jackie Orszaczky. He has performed in festivals both nationally and internationally, most notably the Tokyo Jazz Festival, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and Womadelaide. Matt currently performs regularly for the Musica Viva in Schools program with The World According to James.

Established in 1998 by Laurence and Kathy Freedman, The Freedman Foundation also supports visual artists, Australian youth projects, scientific and medical research.

For further information, please contact Debbie or Amy at DMCPRMEDIA on (02) 9550 9207, mob 0412 818 071, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it