One of my favourite recorded piano improvisations to date. 

Winds Wander

Hope

Live at Pica Bar, 2012, part of a series of quintet compositions called "Introflect".

A Change Of Pace

A live recording of a performance of a series of Quintet compositions called "Introflect".

Sleep Cycle

A recording live @ the Laneway Lounge in Perth, July 2014 of my band and I performing a beloved jazz standard "Emily".

Ben Matthews Quartet - Emily

I wrote four pieces in a pseudo-fusion style, drawing influences from the likes of Hiromi Uehara, Robert Glasper and Gretchen Parlato.  Here is a live recording of the set, put on by the Perth Jazz Society as a part of their Young Lions series.

BM Presents LiveWyre - Live @ Canton Bar

Here is a recording of my first attempt at a completely improvised live set of music at a club in December, 2014!

This performance was for a series called 'Chamber Jam', hosted by North Street Music at the Ellington Jazz Club in Perth.  Phil Doncon was also featured as a guest painter who painted to the music of each act on the night! Really cool stuff. :)

-B

Solo Improv - Live @ Chamber Jam 2014

A live recording of an improvised piece at the Ellington Jazz Club in Perth. (I think the piano might have needed to be tuned... ;)

Meditation Chamber

Here is an improvised piece that represents a transition from a busy headspace to a much calmer, relaxed and clearer headspace.  I wondered if it could be used as a tool to help people to slow their racing brain after busy periods, or periods of high concentration?  The piece begins with busy meanderings, and shows attempts to calm and quiet the mind, with varying success as the piece winds through chromatics with stop-start rhythms until fresh, distracting thoughts arise once more, undoing any attempt at calming the brain.  Finally, a hint of self-reflection kicks in, and our inner busyness is brought to focus.  As it comes to the surface, now easily identifiable, we are able to hold it and question it's necessity.  Only then can we begin to slow our racing mind.  Thoughts arise, and rather than simply willing them to be silenced, they are focused on intently, suspending them in time - the method of paradoxical intention.  Naturally, our focus relaxes, and each time a new thought begins to take flight, it is focused on, held for a time until it is comfortable and relaxed, and then let go once more.  Your thoughts slow, and you become aware of your breathing, and your surroundings.  And after a time, only stillness remains.

Calming A Busy Mind

This piece describes a creative process.  It begins in a quiet and calm manner – perfect for contemplation.  The piece builds with an influx of ideas and with them, a curiosity and wonder to explore new ideas further.  An energetic rhythm falls into place as ideas begin to connect and develop and as creation happens.  After a time, concentration begins to wane, ideas are no longer coherent, and there is no use in forcing progress.  The music comes to an abrupt halt, silencing irrational, would-be thoughts, allowing for the quiet and calm ambience to foster once more, and the cycle repeats.  This was recorded Live at The Ellington Jazz Club in Perth, Western Australia.

LiveWyre - The Process

Hi guys!

Welcome to my page.  I'm a pianist and composer, who dabbles in jazz, pop and contemporary piano and ensemble music!

Feel free to browse a selection of jazz jams, solo piano improvisations and compositions.  

Regrettably, most of the recordings I have currently are of a bootleg quality, but we'll see if we can change that in the coming years.

For more information about me or my music, please head to my website at http://benmatthews.com.au.

Enjoy!

Batthews

Popular tracks