Where Emus Roam the Streets-release day gig 2

This is the first jazz release from the 2022 ABC Composer Commissions Fund, created to support new Australian music from emerging and diverse voices. The ensemble features young women all starting to hit their stride on the Australian jazz scene: drummer Kyrie Anderson, bassist Bonnie Aué, pianist Ciara Ferguson (heard here on vibraphone) and trombonist Jasmine Ferguson. And we believe they are all Helpmann Academy jazz award winners!

Where Emus Roam the Streets is a lyrical contemporary jazz album inspired by the dramatic vistas, ‘ghost towns’ and extraordinary people of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges on Adnyamathanha country. Mark’s association with the area is through his Aunt Jan and Uncle Chris Ferguson who have lived in Beltana for decades and are deeply connected to the community. Through them he met senior Adnyamathanha man Terrence Coulthard — whose ‘Welcome Song’ features on the album.

In preparation for this project, Mark spent days driving,…