This World by Mike Nock Hamish Stuart Julien Wilson Jonathan Zwartz

"Regardless of mode, [This World] prove that at a time in history when division is the order of the day, four souls crafting melody together can abide by a deeper principle of love and listening." Tyran Grillo, New York City Jazz Record (USA)

"an exceptional record by an exceptional ensemble. This is profound,
moving and expressive jazz of the highest level" Stuart Nicholson, Jazzwise (UK)

THIS WORLD is the stunning debut release from a new collaborative quartet formed by four of Australia’s most established and celebrated jazz musicians. Exceptionally recorded and produced, it features a diverse program of nine exciting new compositions created specifically for this album.

THIS WORLD masterfully articulates the struggle, strength and sense of hope faced in life each day. Despite this album being the band's debut, the musicians have enjoyed established relationships with each other in a variety of formats for many years before coming together as a quartet. The shared history and personal connection between them all can be felt in every note.

ABOUT THE MUSICIANS:
New Zealand born pianist/composer Mike Nock (ONZM) is one of the acknowledged masters of jazz in Australasia. Based in Sydney since 1986, he previously spent 25 years in the USA, working with many of the world’s top jazz artists. He is a recipient of the Don Banks Music Award and in inductee of the Australian Jazz Bell Awards Hall of Fame. He has released a plethora of critically acclaimed albums under his own name on many international labels including his own label FWM.

Jonathan Zwartz (also originally from NZ) and Hamish Stuart form one of Australia’s great musical partnerships. For 30 years they have collaboratively run iconic monthly venue, the Starfish Club in various venues along Sydney’s eastern beaches and are the first-call rhythm section for a who’s-who of the Australian music industry and international touring acts. Individually, their resumes serve as a roll-call of international stars; together their simpatico and hook-up is legendary. Zwartz' own albums (featuring Hamish, of course) regularly appear on top-seller lists and have won numerous awards including an ARIA, an AIR Award and a handful of Australian Jazz "Bell"Awards.

Melbourne saxophonist Julien Wilson has been awarded almost every major accolade in Australian jazz, including the National Jazz Award, The Freedman Fellowship for Jazz, an APRA/AMCOS Art Music Award, and a “Bell” Award for Australian Jazz Musician of the Year. He runs a number of his own ensembles and is a member of some of Australia's most highly regarded ensembles.

This celebrated group have played to full houses up and down the east coast since the release of their debut "This World" in 2019. In 2020 they recorded for the ABCs Fresh Start Commission and in 2021 they released their second full length album, Another Dance. They were awarded the 2021 Bell Award for Best Australian Jazz Ensemble and were ARIA finalists in 2020 and 2022