“Steven Barry, a young New Zealander, has brought his dazzling skills as a pianist and composer to Sydney. He shrugged aside cliche, deployed scintillating articulation, and gave his colleagues such ingenious raw material as the Bartok-inspired Clusters. Boneham's solos were a lesson in how vigour may be harnessed to sensitivity, while Firth layered rhythmic puzzles into the grooves without rendering them academic, and soloed with panache...” John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald

Steve Barry crossed the ditch in early 2009 and has quickly become one of Sydney’s most sought-after pianists, having worked with many prominent Australasian and international artists including John Hollenbeck (USA), Theo Bleckmann (USA), George Coleman Jr. (USA), Arun Luthra (USA), Tricia Evy (FRA) and the Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra.

Joined by the heavyweight rhythm section of Alex Boneham on bass and the incredibly sympathetic Cam Reid on drums, the Steve Barry Trio focuses on lyrical melodies, deep grooves and group interaction, and demonstrates a unique collective rapport.

Steve Barry (piano) Alex Boneham (bass) Cameron Reid (drums)

One of those perfect, rare duets that work so well in the Cafe Church space and are almost impossible anywhere else.  Following on from Spike and Matt's sax/piano duet, this piano /trumpet duet will provide the perfect environment for these two best mates to bring everything they have to the music.  Original, improvised, new Sydney jazz.

Steven Barry

Eamon Dilworth

Judy Bailey, possibly Australia's most influential living jazz musician.  Steven Barry, possibly her most promising student.  We will have two grand pianos and Judy and Steve will trade the solo and duet piano pieces they have prepared for a concert at the conservatorium next month.

Eamon sat in for the last song of Steven Barry's set last December.  I had hoped for a year to hear his trumpet at Colbourne Ave, and it didn't let me down.  He's moving to Europe in March, so this concert - a set by the Steven Barry trio + Eamon, followed by a whole set of duets between Eamon and Steven - will be his last for a long time.  I love it already.

with Cam Reid (drums) and Alex Boneham (bass)

Steven arrived at the Sydney Con from Auckland last year, with nothing but the shirt on his back and the blessing of Roger Manins.  he's travelled far though, winning awards including Most Outstanding Musician, Best Pianist and Best Composition at the Tauranga International Jazz Festival, and being fawned over by the likes of us.

this is the best young jazz trio in sydney.
let's call it a christmas party.

The best young piano trio money can't buy.  But you're welcome to make a bid...

Steven Barry with Alex Boneham and Cam Reid - new original compositions, all written this year!

I've been promising a set from Steven for nearly six months, and finally the tomorrow has come!  After a great performance at 505 a couple of weeks ago, on their way to another one at SIMA next month, Steven, Alex and Cam
are on a roll.  Of course, none of those other venues allow youngsters or let you bring your own wine, and the chairs aren't nearly as comfortable...

If you've seen this trio perform, you'll be here.  if you haven't, think of your favourite musician who you used to hear all the time until they got too busy and stopped playing the comfortable gigs...

A New Zealander recently arrived in Sydney, Steven is influencened by the trios of Oscar Peterson, Keith Jarrett, and Brad Mehldau. With a focus on the groove, the band will play a mix of original compositions and new takes on old standards.

"At his young age I consider him to be one of the best Jazz piano players in the country (and definitely the best “Be Bop” player). He is my first choice for piano player on any gig. His talent is really quite something; and more than that - as an improviser he is inventive, creative, humorous and exciting to listen to. Steven has great time feel, amazing ears, fantastic compositional skills..." Roger Manins