Melbourne-based band Samassin team up with poet Sandy Jeffs.
Renowned composer Kirsty Pittman is English-born and Melbourne-based but has interests extending far beyond her immediate heritage. With an interest in Middle Eastern music, Pittman has lent on Turkish and Arabic drum rhythms and additive cycles to inform her compositions.
But her experience extends far beyond that. As a member of world-jazz outfit Samassin, Pittman has recorded two albums and toured throughout Europe. The band has earned a reputation for their unique take on jazz – Samassin describe themselves as a band that play “earthy, vibrant, innovative, eastern tinged compositions, with ancient rhythms and cinematic beauty”.
Now, Samassin are set to take to the stage as part of The Boite’s ongoing live stream concert series, ‘Adapt, Not Cancel’. Teaming up with poet Sandy Jeffs OAM, the duo will perform a collaborative show like none other.
An award-winning poet based in Nillumbik, Jeffs has lived with schizophrenia for 40 years. She has become an influential community educator, using her experiences to inform and enlighten schools, universities and community groups. Some of her titles include Poems from the Madhouse, Blood Relations, The Mad Poet’s Tea Party and Flying With Paper Wings: Reflections on Living With Madness.
As part of the show, both Pittman and Jeffs have scoured through each other’s work to create a seamless collaboration of music and poetry.
How that will look specifically? You’ll have to watch to find out.
Samassin and Sandy Jeffs come together as part of The Boite’s live stream series on Sunday June 21. Grab tickets for the event here and find out more about ‘Adapt, Not Cancel’ here.
Never miss a story. Sign up to Beat’s newsletter and you’ll be served fresh music, arts, food and culture stories five times a week.
