I've been lucky enough to get my hands on a stack of good ensembles to arrange for over the years, from horn and string sections; jazz x-tests to big bands; chamber groups to orchestras. Here's a bunch of samples (though I'm not allowed to use many of my favourites).

Through my work as MD and co-MD for the Melbourne Festival productions Notes from the Hard Road and Beyond (2011) and Seven Songs to Leave Behind (2010) I've been fortunate enough to work with and write for John Cale, Paul Dempsey, Emmanuel Jal, Rickie Lee Jones, Meshell Ndegeocello, Sinead O'Connor, Mavis Staples and Joss Stone.

For the Black Arm Band productions Murundak (2006), Hidden Republic (2008) and Dirtsong (2009) I've had the honour of arranging for Dave Arden, Mark Atkins, Lou Bennett, Emma Donavan, Kutcha Edwards, Dwayne Everettesmith, Leah Flannagan, Joe Geia, Shane Howard, Djolpa McKenzie, Shellie Morris, Archie Roach, Dan Sultan, Bart Willoughby and Ursula Yovich.

I've also arranged for jazz artists and groups including the Australian Art Orchestra, the Bennetts Lane Big Band, Don Burrows, Kate Ceberano, Nina Ferro, Hetty Kate, Julie O'Hara and Gian Slater, and my new-ish nonet, Neon Lit Kludge.

I currently lecture in arranging in the bachelor degree at Melbourne Polytechnic.

 

The closing night concert of Melbourne Festival 2011, 'notes from the hard road and beyond', brought together some of the world's finest performers for a night of protest songs. Mavis Staples was joined onstage by members of The Black Arm Band to perform Freedom Highway, a Staples Singers hit that would become an anthem of Martin Luther King's civil rights movement.

 

October 23, 2010 at Melbourne Festival, Seven Songs to Leave Behind (Original from John Cale's album "Slow Dazzle" 1975)

 

The Bobby Darin Story, starring Rod Gilbert, filmed live at Melbourne's State Theatre. Featuring Darin's greatest hits, from Mack the Knife, Splish Splash, Dream Lover and more.

 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rufus-Browne/358777950872883 A present for my cat 'Rufus'. He began to resent me due to painful ear drops to fix an infection. I would return from work and he would run from me! Now the ears are better I wanted to do something to show my gratitude for his putting up with my torture.

Dan Sultan - Old Fitzroy @ Seven Songs To Leave Behind Saturday 23 October 2010, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne. Music by Orchestra Victoria.