ABOUT
Melbourne based saxophonist, Carl Mackey has been a stalwart on the Australian jazz landscape for more than three decades. Renowned for his versatile and emotionally charged playing style, he has shared the stage with a diverse array of artists, including Lionel Hampton, Kurt Elling, Sammy Figueroa, James Morrison, Kate Ceberano, Boy and Bear, Blur, Noel Gallagher, and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. He has supported international stars such as James Brown, Harry Connick Jnr, The Yellowjackets, Ray Charles and Dianne Reeves.
Co-leader of award-winning group Speedball, he is a member of the Sam Anning Septet, Australian National Jazz Orchestra, lead alto in the Vanessa Perica Orchestra and a member of latin powerhouse, La Influencia.
A two time James Morrison Scholarship finalist, and a Freedman Fellowship finalist in 2006, Mackey has toured extensively with appearances in the United States, UK, Italy, India, and is a regular fixture on the national jazz festival scene with regular performances at the Melbourne, Perth, Wangaratta, Brisbane and Sydney International Jazz Festivals.
Highly regarded as an educator, Carl lectured at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts for 11 years, the James Morrison Academy in Mount Gambier for 6 years, and is currently lecturing at Monash University and the VCA.
Recently, he was featured as a soloist with the MSO to perform Mark Anthony Turnage’s epic magnum opus, ‘Blood on the Floor’, and in late 2022 he recorded a duo album with legendary pianist Tony Gould titled ‘To Begin at the Beginning', released by ABC Jazz.
Carl is a D’Addario Woodwinds endorsed artist.
REVIEWS
On ‘To Begin at the Beginning’ with Tony Gould
“this album is a splendid showcase for the hitherto little-known artistry of Perth’s Carl Mackey, now living in Melbourne. Clearly he has one of the most beautiful saxophone sounds in Australian jazz, and handles Gould’s six ruminative compositions (and one William Walton tune) with faultless authority.” - 4 stars - Eric Myers, The Australian
“…With Gould is Carl Mackey on alto and soprano saxophones, another musician who is truly top class. He plays with an astonishing technical assuredness and a kind of ever-present intensity that is rare.”…”Gould and Mackey are idiosyncratic musicians who bring out the best in one another. Their collaboration on this recording is a high point in both of their careers and the resulting output is music that is accessible and thought-provoking.” - 5 stars - Barry O’Sullivan, Dingo Magazine
On ‘Blood on the Floor’ with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
“…boldly compelling".. 4 stars - The Age
…”Blood on the Floor emerged as a stimulating, challenging, and ultimately surprisingly moving meditation for, and on, our times.” - 4.5 stars, Australian Book Review
Photo: Pia Johnson