“A composer and arranger of supreme skill” – Dominion Post

"Lucien Johnson is a saxophonist and composer of rare excellence and mettle. He is one of a very few artists performing and writing currently who deserves to be both revered and respectfully feared; revered because of his skill, and feared because he casts a tall and ominous shadow over jazz and how it should be played. A rare combination of musical skill, knowledge and gutsy, intuitive jazz sensibilities, he is an artist impossible to forget"
– Meow

Lucien Johnson is an award winning musician who has been described as “a saxophonist and composer of rare excellence and mettle” (Wellington Jazz Festival), as “a miraculous musician” (Radio NZ) and as “a composer and arranger of supreme skill” (Dominion Post). He is joined in this quartet by some of New Zealand’s finest musicians: celebrated pianist Jonathan Crayford; and Tom Callwood, eminent double bassist for groups such as The Phoenix Foundation and Little Bushman; and rising star Cory Champion on the drums. 

A prolific composer, performer and pianist, JONATHAN CRAYFORD spent 20 years honing his craft in New York before returning to NZ in the naughties to rock the music scene. Crayford has most recently been living in Paris and Spain, writing a film/opera and recording two albums of solo piano music in Spain and a trio album in New York. Acclaimed as a highly original compositional talent, pianist Jonathan Crayford has been responsible for many film soundtracks, albums, and bands. As a sideman he has worked with Kurt Rosenwinkel, David Binney, David Murray, Groove Collective, Amp Fiddler, Questlove, Mambo Macoco, Bruno Lawrence and many others.

TOM CALLWOOD has been a leading Wellington bass player for two decades. He is a member of the Phoenix Foundation and Little Bushman and has performed with international jazz stars such as Evan Parker and Barre Phillips.

 

CORY CHAMPION is a recent graduate from the New Zealand School of Music who has impressed audiences with his sensitive jazz drumming. He is also a sound artist, having recently completed his exhibition "Time/Tone" as a result of the Toi Poneke NZSM Sound Residency.

 

Lucien’s compositions reflective of some of the places that he has lived in and travelled to: France, Haiti, Ethiopia and of course, some reflections on our own wonderful country and musical heritage. Included in the set are two traditional waiata which Lucien will reinterpret. As a recent recipient of the Harriet Friedlander Residency he will be returning from New York for the tour and looks forward to seeing how this experience will influence the music.