The Melancholy Babes Announce Album Release Tour + Share Track 'Teef Marks'

Aotearoa's outer limits jazz voyagers The Melancholy Babes — the mega-trio of Jeff Henderson, Tom Callwood and Anthony Donaldson — have served up the lead track from their forthcoming eighth album together Jazz from the Underground Nightclubs of Aotearoa Vol​.​10 - Lovebite, paving the way for a four date tour of the lower North Island this coming June. Just one second shy of 11 minutes all up, 'Teef Marks' feels like some kind of perpetual motion machine (or perhaps a tightly wound chattering teeth toy) — rumbling and swirling around to the group's own free-flowing rhythm(s), honed to supernatural levels of precision and attentiveness by more than two decades of sonic creation together. No doubt their live appearances this June will be equally as flabbergasting, order your copy of the album on CD from Kiwijahzz HERE (out in full on 15th June) and catch them in action at the following dates...

The Melancholy Babes - New Jazz From The Big City

Thursday 15th June – Moon, Wellington
Friday 16th June – Common Ground, Featherston*
Saturday 17th June – Whanganui Musicians Club, Whanganui*
Sunday 18th June – Firebird Cafe, Levin*

*Tickets available HERE via UTR

Press release:

The Melancholy Babes have been performing and evolving their original music over the last three decades. From knotty jazz compositions to elegant Ellingtonia, free improvisation and beyond, the trio is dedicated to exploring the wide worlds of possibility within a saxophone, bass and drums format.

Saxophonist Jeff Henderson is renowned for his dynamic and energetic playing which incorporates all manner of sounds and techniques. His long history as a player and composer has seen him perform in a huge array of situations throughout New Zealand and internationally with many renowned artists.

Double bass player Tom Callwood has a rich history in NZ music, performing in well known bands The Phoenix Foundation and Little Bushman, with Wellington jazz groups The Woods and Devils Gate Outfit, and alongside a plethora of leading NZ artists.

Anthony Donaldson is a drummer who has made an indelible impact on New Zealand music. From his beginnings with Wellington creative music pioneers Primitive Art Group and Braille collective, to the Six Volts and Front Lawn, the Bung Notes, Flower Orphans, Devils Gate Outfit and dozens more, his unique approach to rhythm and composition has seen him perpetually at the forefront of adventurous jazz in New Zealand.