Founded by trumpeter/composer Laura Kahle and pianist/arranger Steve Newcomb, the 10-piece West End Composers Collective began in 2003 as a monthly gathering of Brisbane’s creative improvising musicians, composers and arrangers to workshop original works at the Tongue and Groove café, West End. With the success of these monthly gatherings, the growth in repertoire and a grant from Arts Queensland, they launched their debut album “Downstream” in February 2004. This launch supported internationally acclaimed artists Ingrid Jensen (Trumpet) and Jon Wikan (Drums), on tour from the USA. Since the collective’s inception, it has appeared at Brisbane’s more established venues such The Zoo, Rics Café and held a regular monthly performance at the Milk Bar in Paddington. In late 2004 they were guests at the Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival, a performance broadcast live on ABC Radio National. The group was featured in concerts of original music written by saxophonist Rafael Karlen at the Metro Arts theatre, The Brisbane Jazz Club and the Jazzworx club throughout 2006-7. They also performed at the 2007 Palmer Street Jazz Festival in Townsville with special guests Kristin Berardi (voice) and Dave Theak (saxophone), from Sydney.

web/myspace link: www.westendcomposers.com.au