(Moshtix April 2012)

“It's become Sydney's place to be, Sonic Mayhem Orchestra's regular Monday night gig and late night jam session, with a spectacular 10-piece band, plus guests, followed by a free-wheeling jam session, every week at Blue Beat.

This week's guest is guitarist STEVE BRIEN, renowned as arguably Australia's best exponent of bebop guitar. Steve is a phenomenal powerhouse of knowledge, energy and passion for the high energy playing that came out of New York's after-hours scene in the 1940s. Bebop redefined jazz as a total mind-and-body experience that left dance bands and swing players gasping in awe at the super chops of pioneers like Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and Max Roach. It's a music that still sounds as modern and mould-breaking today as it did back in the day.

But that's not all! Steve also thrives on post bop, straight ahead, soul jazz and any other kinda jazz you wanna throw at him. His career has seen him play here with Australia's best musicians, study and work for long periods in the US, and pass on his knowledge as a teacher at the Conservatorium. Blue Beat welcomes the opportunity to present Steve for your listening and grooving pleasure”.

(All Music April 2001)

Review by Dave Nathan  [-]

Australian guitarist Steve Brien spent most of the '90s living in New York, working with such artists as Phil Wilson, Giacomo Gates, and Ralph Lalama. Brien subsequently returned to his native land to teach jazz guitar and play gigs. This album compiles two New York recording sessions from 1994 and 1995. One features a fellow Aussie, tenor saxman Dale Barlow, and the other hard bop tenor Ralph Lalama and trombonist Dave Panichi. Regardless of which group is playing, this album is laid-back, straight-ahead bop-influenced jazz. Nothing gets too excitable here, as both groups recall Blue Note sessions of the '60s with the likes of Hank Mobley, Ike Quebec, and Grant Green. Barlow's tenor has more of a bite to it than Lalama's, but their ideas about the music coincide in a no-nonsense, let's-not-lose-sight-of-the-melody manner. Both provide a framework for Brien to work with his clean-cut, relaxed guitar. On Jimmy Heath's "C.T.A.," Brien embarks on a long solo where he effectively ad libs, but never moves far from his low-key, thinking man's approach to the guitar. Every nook and cranny of the Earl Brent/Matt Dennis tune "Angel Eyes" is explored during a ten-minute workout, which has a soulful Barlow sax solo with Brien comping underneath. The Lalama sessions have the extra added attraction of some solid bop trombone playing by Panichi, which he uses effectively on "Blueish," one of the two compositions by the bass player on the set, Joel Forbes. The other, "Lenore," is the stage for Lalama's major sax solo. This is a fine album of melodic, laid-back, understated jazz and is recommended.

Steve Brien sang and played solo at this morning's “Live at the Library” gig. What a wonderful event it was, with up to 50 people tapping and dancing along to the jazz music! Thanks to the Jazz Club and Salsa dancers for coming along.

(Heather Crosby, Director of “Friends of the Library” Launceston February 2023)