The Idea of North

The Idea of North are an Australian a cappella vocal ensemble founded in Canberra in 1993, by Nick Begbie (tenor), Meg Corson (alto), Trish Delaney-Brown (soprano) and Andrew Piper (bass). In March 2002 Corson was replaced as alto by Naomi Crellin. Delaney-Brown was replaced on soprano in February 2007 by Sally Cameron. They won the Best Jazz Album category at the ARIA Music Awards of 2010 for Feels Like Spring (collaboration with James Morrison) and again in 2013 for Smile.

For the audio documentary by Glenn Gould, see Solitude Trilogy.

The Idea of North
L to R: Andrew Piper, Naomi Crellin, Sally Cameron, Nick Begbie
Performing at Chapel off Chapel, Melbourne, November 2008
Background information
OriginCanberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
GenresJazz
Years active1993 (1993)–present
Labels
Associated acts
  • Pure Harmony
Websiteidea.com.au
Members
  • Nick Begbie
  • Naomi Crellin
  • Luke Thompson
  • Emma Rule
  • Kai Kitamura
Past members

History

The Idea of North were formed as a jazz-based, a cappella quartet, in Canberra in 1993, by Nick Begbie (tenor), Meg Corson (alto), Trish Delaney-Brown (soprano) and Andrew Piper (bass).[1] All four members were students at the Canberra School of Music of Australian National University. The group's name is from The Idea of North (1967), a radio documentary by Canadian classical pianist, Glenn Gould.[2] The group are generally described as a jazz quartet,[3][4] but they also sing pop, R&B, classical, folk, soul and gospel.[5][6][7] They cover material by the Beatles, Peter Allen, the Muppets, Aretha Franklin and Bee Gees.[7]

In 1997 they issued their debut album, The Idea of North, with Ra Khan producing at the Canberra School of Music's recording studios.[8] The group members arranged cover versions of both traditional and more recent material.[8][9] Instrumentation was provided by Greg Stott on congas and percussion on three tracks and Piper on flugelhorn on "My Funny Valentine".[9] In 1999 they collaborated with jazz musician, James Morrison, and country singer, Gina Jeffreys, to record a cover version of "Blue Christmas" which appears on Jeffreys' album, Christmas Wish (November 1999).[10] Morrison felt the ensemble were "the best contemporary a cappella group in the country."[5]

The Idea of North's second album, The Sum of Us, appeared in October 2001, its track, "Mas Que Nada", features Morrison on trombone and another track, "Fragile", showcases Don Burrows on flute.[11] Delaney-Brown wrote two tracks, "Neat Surprise" and "Gotta Move On", while "Singin a Capella" was co-written by Begbie and Piper and "Two Sides to the Story" was written by Piper.[11][12] It was co-produced by the group's members and recorded at Tiger Studios, Sydney for Magnetic Records.[12] It reached No. 15 on the ARIA Jazz & Blues Albums chart.[13]

In March 2002 Corson was replaced as alto in the group by Naomi Crellin (ex-Pure Harmony), a graduate from University of Adelaide's Elder Conservatorium.[14] Corson started her solo career; during 2014 she teamed with Stott on guitar as a musical duo.[15] Crellin's previous group, Pure Harmony, are an a capella quartet formed in 1992 at Marryatville High School, Adelaide with fellow students Sally Cameron and Joy Hague.[16][17]

The Idea of North's third album, Here & Now, was released in October 2003 via ABC Jazz, which has re-recordings of their previous material plus two new tracks.[18][19] The line-up of Begbie, Crellin, Delaney-Brown and Piper recorded it at Australian Broadcasting Corporation's studio 227, Sydney.[18][19] It reached No. 13 on the ARIA Hitseekers Albums Chart and No. 8 on the ARIA Jazz & Blues Albums chart.[20]

San Francisco-based, Contemporary A Cappella Society, present the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards.[21] In 2004 the Idea of North were runners up for Artist of the Year.[22] At the 2005 ceremony they won best jazz album for Evidence (17 May 2004) and best jazz song for "Rachel".[23][24] Evidence peaked at No. 12 on the ARIA Jazz & Blues Albums chart.[25]

Their next album, The Gospel Project (April 2006), featured prayers and three tracks, "Let It Ring", "Help Us" and "The Truth" co-written by Begbie and Michael Leunig.[26] Aside from vocals by Begbie, Crellin, Delaney-Brown and Piper four of the recordings included instrumentals: Duncan Brown on bass guitar, Bill Risby on keyboards and Gordon Rytmeister on drums.[26] During that year they had appeared at festivals in Germany, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea.[27] In October they toured Australia to promote the album with the Gospel Project Band.[27]

On 2 July 2007 they issued their first live album, Live at the Powerhouse, both on CD and as a DVD.[28] Barry O'Sullivan of All About Jazz described how the "a capella vocal ensemble just swings and swings with impeccable harmonies and an understanding of each others' vocal parts. The breadth of the group's performance is its most remarkable characteristic, never stopping in offering something new with tracks."[29] It was recorded at the Brisbane Powerhouse on 4 June 2006 with the DVD directed and edited by Adam Sébire,[30] while the audio was recorded by David Hemming and produced by the group.[31]

Sally Cameron (ex-Pure Harmony, South Australian Police Band) joined as soprano in February 2007 to replace Delaney-Brown, who left to start her family.[32] The group farewelled Delaney-Brown, formally, in a one-off concert at The Basement, Sydney in June 2008.[32] She later became a member of Sonic Mayhem Orchestra and then James Valentine Quartet before establishing the Trish Delaney-Brown Quintet.[33]

The group's sixth studio album, Feels Like Spring (10 April 2010), another collaboration with Morrison, peaked at No. 3 on the ARIA Jazz & Blues Albums chart and spent 33 weeks (non-consecutive) in the top 20 until February 2011.[34][35] In the studio, instrumentation was supplied by Begbie on tenor saxophone and trombone; Brown on bass guitar; Cameron on alto saxophone and trumpet; Ian Cooper on strings; Sandro Constatino on viola; Crellin on alto saxophone and trumpet; Alexandra D'ella on violin; Phillip Hartl on violin; Morrison on double bass, flugelhorn, horn arrangements, piano, saxophone, trombone and trumpet; James Muller on guitar; Piper on bass guitar, baritone saxophone and trombone; Rytmeister on drums; Sunnil de Silva on percussion; Adrian Wallis on cello; and Jonathan Zwartz on double bass.[36] It was co-produced by the group and Morrison.[36]

At the ARIA Music Awards of 2010 Idea of North and James Morrison won the trophy for Best Jazz Album for Feels Like Spring.[37] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2011 the ensemble were nominated for Best Jazz Album for their seventh studio album, Extraordinary Tale (29 July 2011).[38] For the solely a capella recording Begbie, Cameron, Crellin and Piper provided their usual four part harmony with Piper adding vocal percussion.[7][39] Extraordinary Tale peaked at No. 1 on the ARIA Jazz & Blues Albums, No. 5 on the Hitseekers Albums and No. 93 on the Top 100 Physical Albums charts.[40] Also in 2011 Crellin temporarily left, on maternity leave, and was replaced on alto by Joy Hague (ex-Pure Harmony) with Crellin returning in the following year. Hague resumed her work as a high school music teacher although she filled in as deputy alto in the Idea of North as required thereafter.

The quartet recorded their eighth studio album, This Christmas (29 October 2012), which includes Morrison guesting on trombone on two tracks, and Hague as alto on three tracks.[41] The album peaked at No. 80 on the ARIA Albums, No. 72 on the Top 100 Physical Albums, No. 2 on the Hitseekers Albums and No. 2 on the Jazz & Blues Albums charts.[42] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2013 the Idea of North won Best Jazz Album,[43] again, for their ninth studio album, Smile (12 August 2013), which had peaked at No. 86 on the ARIA Albums, No. 93 on the Top 100 Physical Albums, No. 4 on the Hitseekers Albums and No. 2 on the Jazz & Blues Albums charts.[44][45]

The Idea of North issued a compilation album, Anthology (17 November 2014), which peaked at No. 5 on the Jazz & Blues Albums charts.[46] From 2016 Japanese vocal percussionist Kaichiro Kitamura was a session and touring member and featured on three tracks on their tenth studio album, Ballads (18 April 2016).[47] The album reached No. 3 on the Hitseekers Albums and No. 2 on the Jazz & Blues Albums charts.[48] In February 2017 Cameron and Piper both left the group; Piper was replaced on bass by Luke Thompson, while Cameron's temporary replacements were Delaney-Brown and Jo Lawry, prior to a more permanent soprano to be appointed later that year.

Members

Current
  • Tenor: Nick Begbie (1993–present)
  • Soprano: Trish Delaney-Brown (1993–2007, 2017), Jo Lawry (2017), Emma Rule (2018)[49]
  • Alto: Naomi Crellin (2002–11, 2012–present)
  • Bass: Luke Thompson (2017–present)

[49]

Touring and session

Former
  • Alto: Meg Corson (1993–2002)
  • Bass: Andrew Piper (1993–2017)
  • Alto: Joy Hague (2011–12)
  • Soprano: Sally Cameron (2007–17)

Discography
  • The Idea of North (1997)
  • The Sum of Us (October 2001) Magnetic Records (MNR 934002-2)
  • Here & Now (20 October 2003) ABC Jazz/Universal Music Australia (ACL/UMA 9810913)
  • Evidence (17 May 2004) ABC Jazz/Universal Music Australia (ACL/UMA 9818674)
  • The Gospel Project (April 2006) ABC Jazz/Universal Music Australia
  • Live at the Powerhouse (live album on CD and on DVD, 2 July 2007)
  • Feels Like Spring (The Idea of North and James Morrison) (10 April 2010) ABC Jazz/Universal Music Australia (ACL/UMA 2735660)
  • Extraordinary Tale (29 July 2011) ABC Jazz/Universal Music Australia (ACL/UMA 4764524)
  • This Christmas (29 October 2012) ABC Jazz (ABC 476 5169) AUS: No. 80
  • Smile (12 August 2013) Universal Music Australia (UMA 4810503) AUS: No. 86
  • Anthology (17 November 2014) ABC Jazz/Universal Music Australia (ACL/UMA 4704196)
  • Ballads (18 April 2016) ABC Jazz/Universal Music Australia (ACL/UMA 4782693)

Awards
  • 2003 Won the 'Harmony Sweepstakes' Open A Cappella Competition in the US, including awards for 'Audience Favourite' and 'Best Original Arrangement'
  • 2005 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs) – Best Jazz Album – Evidence[23]
  • 2005 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs) – Best Jazz Song – "Rachel"[23]
  • 2010 Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Award for Best Jazz Album – Feels Like Spring
  • 2010 Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA) Award for Favourite Oceanic Group
  • 2011 Limelight Magazine Award for Best Jazz Recording - Extraordinary Tale
  • 2011 Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA) Award for Favourite Oceanic Group
  • 2013 Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Award for Best Jazz Album - Smile
  • 2013 Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA) Award for Favourite Oceanic Group
  • 2013 BankSA Best Music Award - The Adelaide Fringe 2013[50]
  • 2013 MusicACT Annual Music Awards ACT Hall of Fame Inductee

References
  1. Hall, Loretta (27 July 2007). "Magnetic North". The Herald Sun.
  2. Banks, Ron (14 June 2004). "Evidence of a distinctive Idea". The West Australian.
  3. Derdeyn, Stuart (5 August 2010). "In need of a name, but smart to peel off Banana Four". The Vancouver Province.
  4. "US May Hear Idea of North". Illawarra Mercury. 3 July 1998.
  5. "Makes me wanna sing". The Canberra Times. 24 March 2009.
  6. "Quartet returns home". The Chronicle. Canberra. 24 March 2009.
  7. Brotohusodo, Michelle (8 August 2011). "The Idea of North". HerCanberra. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2017.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  8. "The Idea of North [sound recording] – Version details". Trove. Retrieved 25 April 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. The Idea of North (liner notes). The Idea of North (performers). The Idea of North. 1997. ION 97007-2.CS1 maint: others (link)
  10. Jeffries, Gina (1999), Christmas Wish, ABC Music, retrieved 25 April 2017
  11. "Releases :: The Sum of Us". Australian Music Online. Archived from the original on 16 August 2008. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  12. The Sum of Us (liner notes). The Idea of North (performers). Magnetic Records. 1997. 934 002-2.CS1 maint: others (link)
  13. Kellaghan, Ronan (21 January 2002). "Week Commencing ~ 21st January 2002 ~ Issue #621" (PDF). The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (621): 18. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 February 2002. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  14. Eliezer, Christie (27 February 2002). "Changes to the North". Music & Media Business News. TheMusic. Archived from the original on 5 February 2003. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  15. Pozza, Eric (26 October 2014). "Happy Returns". Canberra Jazz Blog. Archived from the original on 22 October 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  16. "Joy Hague". The Idea of North Official Website. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  17. "Music News: Generations in Jazz" (PDF). Marryatville High School Newsletter. Marryatville High School. June 2010. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  18. Idea of North (2003), Here & Now, ABC Jazz, Universal Classics & Jazz, retrieved 26 April 2017
  19. "Releases :: Here & Now". Australian Music Online. Archived from the original on 10 August 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2017.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  20. Ditton, Lynette (22 December 2003). "Week Commencing ~ 22nd December 2003 ~ Issue #722" (PDF). The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (722): 17, 20. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 January 2004. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  21. "Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards". Barbershop Harmony Foundation. Archived from the original on 19 June 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
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  23. "2005 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award Winners". A Cappella Music – The Contemporary A Cappella Society. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  24. Eriksson, Boel (17 December 2008). "Jazz vocals define Idea of North". Northern District Times.
  25. Thomas, Tara (12 July 2004). "Week Commencing ~ 12th July 2004 ~ Issue #750" (PDF). The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (750): 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 August 2004. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  26. Idea of North; Risby, Bill (instrumentalist); Brown, Duncan (instrumentalist); Rytmeister, Gordon (instrumentalist) (2006), The Gospel Project, The Idea of North, retrieved 29 April 2017
  27. "The Idea Of North - The Gospel Project Tour". Lifestyle and Recreation. City of Stonnington. Archived from the original on 31 August 2006. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  28. Live at the Powerhouse at AllMusic
  29. O'Sullivan, Barry (23 November 2007). "The Idea of North: Live at the Powerhouse". All About Jazz. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  30. Idea of North; Sebire, Adam (2007), Idea of North: Live at the Powerhouse, Australian Broadcasting Corporation/The Idea of North, retrieved 29 April 2017
  31. The Idea of North: Live at the Powerhouse (booklet). The Idea of North (performers). The Idea of North. Australian Broadcasting Corporation/ABC Jazz. 1997. 4766153.CS1 maint: others (link)
  32. "The Idea of North – Farewell Concert to Trish Delaney-Brown". Moshtix. 4 June 2008. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  33. "Trish Delaney-Brown Quintet". Jazz in Sydney. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  34. Wallace, Ian (26 April 2010). "Week Commencing ~ 26th April 2010 ~ Issue #1052" (PDF). The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (1052): 22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 May 2010. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  35. Wallace, Ian (28 February 2011). "Week Commencing ~ 28th February 2011 ~ Issue #1096" (PDF). The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (1096): 22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 May 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  36. "Feels Like Spring – The Idea of Spring, James Morrison | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  37. "2010 ARIA Awards Winners by Year". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  38. "2011 ARIA Awards Winners by Year". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  39. "Extraordinary Tale – The Idea of Spring | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  40. Wallace, Ian (12 September 2011). "Week Commencing ~ 12th September 2011 ~ Issue #1124" (PDF). The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (1124): 8, 20–21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  41. Idea of North (2012), This Christmas, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Universal Music Group [distributor], retrieved 30 April 2017CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  42. Wallace, Ian (17 December 2012). "Week Commencing ~ 17th December 2012 ~ Issue #1190" (PDF). The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (1190): 2, 6, 8, 15, 21, 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  43. "2013 ARIA Awards Winners by Year". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  44. Wallace, Ian (2 September 2013). "Week Commencing ~ 2nd September 2013 ~ Issue #1227" (PDF). The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (1227): 6, 8, 21, 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 September 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  45. Wallace, Ian (28 October 2013). "Week Commencing ~ 28th October 2013 ~ Issue #1235" (PDF). The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (1235): 21, 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 November 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  46. Wallace, Ian (5 January 2015). "Week Commencing ~ 5th January 2015 ~ Issue #1297" (PDF). The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (1297): 22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 January 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  47. http://brisbanepowerhouse.org/events/2016/05/28/groove-sessions/
  48. Wallace, Ian (9 May 2016). "Week Commencing ~ 9th May 2016 ~ Issue #1367" (PDF). The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (1367): 22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 May 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  49. https://www.facebook.com/TheIdeaofNorth/photos/rpp.12340940490/10154867333095491/?type=3&theater
  50. "Adelaide Fringe 2013 Award Winners". Adelaide Fringe. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
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