Lachlan McKenzie - Departures

“Departures” is Lachlan’s sophomore album, which features seven of his original compositions, coincidentally written over a seven-year period. The captivating, modern music explores themes of relocating, new beginnings, isolation, and sentimentality. Along with the pensive and evocative sound of Lachlan’s trumpet, the music is brought to life by a team of celebrated close friends and collaborators – Lachy Hamilton (tenor saxophone), Wilbur Whitta (piano), Jacob Graham (double bass), and George Greenhill (drums).

Trumpeter Lachlan McKenzie’s album is an excellent example of contemporary hard-bop. Hearing this quintet reminded me somewhat of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, in that drummer George Greenhill’s style is reminiscent of the legendary Blakey - busy, dynamic, tasteful. Others are Lachy Hamilton (tenor sax), Wilbur Whitta (piano), and Jacob Graham (double bass), all key members of the current generation of young Sydney musicians who’ve been defining modern jazz at a new level in recent years. McKenzie, born and bred in Brisbane but Sydney-based since 2021, took seven years to write his seven tunes, and his depth of thought shows. The written heads are exceedingly hip, and their chord structures enable all improvisers to project strong individual personalities. The ballad written by Whitta, entitled Wilbur’s Creation, played as a solo piano piece, provides a welcome contrast to McKenzie’s works. This exciting and swinging album shows how a relatively old but still essential jazz idiom can be updated via the sensibilities of brilliant contemporary players.

Eric Myers / Weekend Australian