Jazz meets astrophysics in Parallax - a unique concert by New Zealand guitarist and composer Heather Webb.
Jazz musician Heather Webb at her Parallax concert with Michael Story and Reuben Derrick. Photo: Sabin Holloway
This performance at the Ron Ball Studio in the Christchurch Town Hall is part of Heather Webb's Master of Creative Practice project undertaken at the Ara Institute of Canterbury. She describes the project as “a playful exploration of the crossover between astrophysics, outer space, musical theory, reflection and conviction.”
The idea that music and science are connected has a long and rich history. Heather's music explores and develops this idea, connecting and weaving improvised jazz with the structure of the universe. New compositions range from the Matariki star cluster data converted into music, to a musical interpretation of Einstein's wave-particle duality.
Heather Webb is joined by Darren Pickering (piano and keyboard), Reuben Derrick (saxophone), Michael Story (bass), Joe McCallum (drums and percussion), Sarah McCracken and Andrew Maddick (violins), and Naomi Hnat (cello).
The first and last piece bookend the show, giving it a cyclical structure.
Heather Webb spoke with RNZ Concert host Bryan Crump on Three to Seven about her work:
Recorded by RNZ Concert
Producer/Engineer: Alex Harmer
Recorded at the Ron Ball Studio, Christchurch Town Hall on 17 February 2025
