LOOPS BIOGRAPHY

loops Edinburgh Gardens

Loops Contemporary Ensemble

INTRODUCTION
Since its inception in 1995, Loops has been defining and re-defining the nexus where improvisation meets composition, where jazz meets classical music, and where acoustic sound meets electronic sound.
The Melbourne incarnation of Loops consists of a core trio of Jonathan Dimond (electric bass, tabla), Mastaneh Nazarian (electric guitar) and Adrian Sherriff (ZenDrum percussion).

HISTORY OF LOOPS
The group was established in Brisbane upon my return from overseas study in 1995. At that time the band consisted of:
Jamie Clark (electric guitar)
John Rodgers (violin)
Jonathan Dimond (electric bass, tabla)
Ken Edie (drums)
Loops had our debut performance in the Music Arts Club’s “Pinnacles” Festival in early 1996. Since then, Loops’ unique and multi-faceted nature has made us a popular participants in such Festivals as the Brisbane International Festival of Music (1998, 2000); the Queensland Biennial Festival of Music (2001); the Wangaratta Jazz Festival (2000) and the “Pinnacles” Festival (1996, 2001). Loops was Ensemble in Residence at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University for two years (2000, 2001). Loops competed as state finalists in the ABC’s innaugral “Improv Awards” (1999). The trio was the house band, and composed all-new material for a season of performances for the “Out of the Box” Festival for early childhood, and their show "Wide Awake" (2000). New compositions were created for and premiered at most of the other Festivals also.
In 2000 drummer Ken Edie was replaced by John Parker, and John Rodgers was only a guest artist rather than a regular member of the group.
Aside from Festival performances, the group performed regularly at venues around Southeast Queensland, including the Brisbane Powerhouse, The Healer, and venues on South Bank.


TOURS & RECORDINGS
The band has toured New South Wales and Victoria (2000) and has two Compact Discs of its own: Recursion (1999) and the double album Ek! (2001).
The trio is also featured on Jonathan's solo album Journeys: People, Places (2005) and Airwaves: 100 Years of Radio with the post-Classical quintet Topology (2005). More information can be found on my discography.

In 2002 I immigrated to the USA and established the American version of the band with Los Angeles musicians. Dan Morris (drums) and Ken Rosser (electric guitar) performed and recorded with me.

Loops has built up an extensive repertoire of original compositions by the ensemble members, and can also perform arrangements of standard-repertoire jazz with a modern 'twist'.

SOME QUOTES FROM CRITICAL REVIEWS & THE PRESS

"The outcome is... energizing, exciting, and quite often very beautiful in a fresh, unsentimental way."
John Clare, Sydney Morning Herald. August 2001