Biography
The Abbreviations Orchestra was originally formed as a septet in 2005 to feature the original compositions and arrangements of Brisbane saxophonist Andrew Garton.
The band brings an orchestral conception to small group jazz, with wild harmonies, intricate counterpoints and thrilling improvisations.
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Over time, different ideas for related groups came from that starting point, firstly with the Abbreviations Quartet to provide more space for improvising while still focusing on countra-puntal small group jazz. Then to further explore concepts around composing with a looser and less prescriptive method came the Abbreviations Workshop.
All of these groups share the same goals of featuring countra-puntal ensemble interplay, allowing space for the players to personally shape the music and producing music that is enjoyed by the musicians and the listeners.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.