I recently was asked by my good friend and fellow artist, Sophia Berg, to open her brilliant art exhibition with a solo bass clarinet performance in Wedding, Berlin. She’s an incredible artist. Here’s a link to her art SophiaBerg.com
Richard in Sydney
Support great music – buy the album
Deep music with deep messages
Gregory Tardy, nominated for Best Debut Artist at the New York Jazz Awards 1998 says,
“It is always such a blessing to hear anything put out by the phenomenal reedman Richard Maegraith.
On his latest outing Listening With Your Eyes he does not disappoint. This project not only features some exciting Tenor Saxophone solos, but also some beautiful compositions; supported by vocalist Kristin Berardi, and spoken word artist 21 Monks. Deep music with deep messages!”
support great music – buy the album
Reviews of July 2022 Galaxstare gig
There were two consummate artists on display: Richard Maegraith, a splendid saxophonist by any standards, whose brilliant solos throughout the performance were energising; and Kristin Berardi, arguably the finest jazz vocalist Australia has produced since Kerrie Biddell
Eric Myers, Limelight – read full review
The Energy of Jazz: NOW was a sold-out SIMA event enjoyed by happy crowd, eager to be watching jazz live again.
South Sydney Herald – read full review
Photo of Richard Maegraith in this post by Perce Woodbury
Rich Maegraith + Friends – LIVE AT BUTCHERS BREW BAR
BOOK NOW
Richard is making a flying visit into his hometown & has assembled a band of new & long time friends to celebrate!
The band will be playing mostly standards but with some originals from decades ago when Matt & Richard performed in Spill together.
There will also be some special guests who have been invited to play throughout the evening. This will be an evening of brilliant music not to be missed!
⭐ Rich Maegraith (sax)
⭐ Matt McMahon (piano)
⭐ Jonathan Zwartz (double bass)
⭐ George Greenhill (drums)
LIMITED TICKETS $27 Entry – Strictly 18+ Only
NSW Parenting Vouchers Accepted!!
Doors from 5pm
**We are a COVID-safe venue. Entry is subject to prevailing health orders**
In proud partnership with Live Music Australia – an Australian Government initiative
BOOK NOW
Galaxstare LIVE in Sydney THIS Friday
BUY TICKETS
Exemplifying the exhilarating energy of jazz, SIMA presents two dynamic ensembles rich with passion, groove, spontaneity, and imagination.
This Winter, SIMA presents a series of unique concerts to answer the question – What is Jazz:NOW?
DOORS 7:30PM
Acknowledging the roots of jazz, while still pushing the genre forward with innovation – this concert promises edge-of-your-seat spontaneous dialogue from incomparable masters of their instruments. Their names alone speak for themselves.
Sandy Evans/Andrew Robson Quartet
“…This saxophonist ranks as one of the best contemporary jazz composers/musicians anywhere.” – Ian Patterson, allaboutjazz.com
A never-heard-before new collaboration between Sandy Evans and Andrew Robson puts supported experimentation & collaborative interplay at the forefront. Bringing together Evans’ powerful tenor sound and soaring soprano melodies, with Robson’ great sense of groove and an uncanny instinct for melodic lyricism, the group will create a thrilling and engaging musical dialogue of original works.
Galaxstare ft. Kristin Berardi & 21monks
“like Chick Corea, [Richard] Maegraith is not afraid to move beyond of the bounds of whatever constitutes jazz” – John Hardaker, Jazz and beyond
Returning home from Berlin, veteran Sydney saxophonist Richard Maegraith and Vocalist Kristin Berardi launch their long-awaited 3rd album, “Listening with your eyes” under the pseudonym ‘Galaxstare’. Kristin Berardi is heralded as Australia’s greatest jazz vocalist, with the international recognition that attests to the claim. Her voice has a strength and directness from its honesty and vulnerability.
Special guest hip-hop artist 21monks joins on a selection of compositions, bring his unique cross-genre experience to the mic.
BUY TICKETS
Sandy Evans/Andrew Robson Quartet
Sandy Evans: Tenor, Soprano Saxophones
Andrew Robson: Alto, Baritone Saxophones
Brett Hirst: Double Bass
Hamish Stuart: Drums
Galaxstare Ft. Kristin Berardi & 21monks
Richard Maegraith – Tenor Saxophone
Kristin Berardi – Vocals
Gary Daley – Keys
Jonathan Zwartz – Double Bass
Tim Firth – Drums
21Monks – Spoken Word
Proudly presented by SIMA – Experience Jazz
This event is supported by Create NSW and Australian Council for the Arts.
Chris Potter on Galaxstare
jazztimes.com asks,
“is Chris Potter the most extraordinary tenor saxophonist alive?” and The Guardian calls him “one of jazz’s most powerful jazz reeds-players”. Chris took time out to listen to the new Galaxstare album Listening with your Eyes and says,
Galaxstare is such a HAPPENING band. Compositions, performances all TOP NOTCH. Thank you for putting that positive musical energy out there
Make up your own mind. Listen now on the player below, and buy the album to support great music.
LIVE IN CONCERT Galaxstare feat. Richard Maegraith / Kristin Berardi / 21monks
more information & tickets
like Chick Corea, Maegraith is not afraid to move beyond of the bounds of whatever constitutes jazz
JOHN HARDAKER, JAZZ AND BEYOND
Returning home from Berlin, veteran Sydney saxophonist Richard Maegraith and Vocalist Kristin Berardi launch their long-awaited Galaxstare 3rd album, “Listening with your eyes”
Kristin Berardi is heralded as Australia’s greatest jazz vocalist, with the international recognition that attests to the claim. Her voice has a strength and directness from its honesty and vulnerability
Special guest hip-hop artist 21monks joins on a selection of compositions, bring his unique cross-genre experience to the mic.
RICHARD MAEGRAITH – TENOR SAXOPHONE
KRISTIN BERARDI – VOCALS
GARY DALEY – KEYS
JONATHAN ZWARTZ – DOUBLE BASS
TIM FIRTH – DRUMS
21MONKS – SPOKEN WORD
more information & tickets
I’m thrilled to present GALAXSTARE as part of @SIMA.jazz The Energy of Jazz: NOW Program
Richard Maegraith
more information & tickets
Listen to the new album. Buy Now
Listening With Your Eyes
It’s been almost 4 years in the making and now, it’s finally here to pre-order. The 3rd album of Galaxstare, my band. It’s called Listening With Your Eyes and features 8 original compositions. A special guest on 4 tracks is beat poet/hiphop artist, 21monks
Richard Maegraith
Order now
Listening With Your Eyes by galaxstare
Richard Maegraith – tenor saxophone, didgeridoo, bass clarinet, flute, chimes
Kristin Berardi – vocals
Gary Daley – Rhodes, organ, grand piano
Jonathan Zwartz – double bass
Tim Firth – drums
with special guest… 21monks – spoken word
It’s been an extraordinary journey from beginning to end and I think it’s the band’s finest recorded performance so far. I’m very grateful and thankful to everyone who’s dedicated themselves to making the music the priority.
I want to give special thanks to Craig Field (from Underwood Studios) who dedicated many, many hours to recording specific overdubs, mixing and mastering – all the way back in Australia while I was in Berlin.
Big thanks also to Richie Belkner who tracked the album in one day! Also Michael Avery who assisted with specific bass clarinet, percussion and flute overdubs. Thank you!! Another big thank you goes to the wonderful Sydney saxophonist Nick Bowd who lent me his beautiful Selmer tenor to record the album on since I wasn’t able to bring my own horn over from Berlin.
Thanks again for your interest and support, original music these days is harder than ever before to get heard and appreciated, so your interest and willingness to be musically engaged are a great thing!
Richard Maegraith
Order now
Recorded by Richard Belkner at Free Energy Device Studios, November 2018 Sydney, Australia
Additional recording by Michael Avery at Weave Studio Berlin in 2019, Germany
Additional recording, Mixing and Mastering by Craig Field at Underwood Studios, January-March 2021, Blue Mountains, Australia
Richie’s Jam. Böttgerstraße, Berlin
Richie’s Jam Band plays jazz music with passion, sensitivity and the utmost musicality. Each week there are new tunes played, musical horizons reached and in the second set, the opportunity for other musicians and singers to join the band on stage for a song or two. No two weeks are the same! Join this jam session and experience the thrill. Expect damn good food and drinks, too.
5 euros entry (cash). Book Now
https://www.facebook.com/maegraith/posts/10158703620359053
Tiergarten, Berlin, 2021
Richard Maegraith with bassist, Robin Draganic and drummer, Christoph Schlemmer. Press play
Richard Maegraith 