TIM Voutas did not always want to be a pianist and had many arguments with his mum about it while growing up in Port Macquarie.
“She wanted me to learn piano because she wanted to learn when she was younger but didn’t get the chance,” Voutas, of North Perth, said.
“She forced me into it but obviously I love her for it now.”
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READ NOWThe 26-year-old studied at the Generations in Jazz Academy Big Band in South Australia, where the director suggested he attend WAAPA.
He graduated WAAPA in 2017 having already formed the Tim Voutas Quartet.
“WAAPA really encourages original music in their students,” he said.
“I think it was just the culture to curate a band and/or start writing music for a band, so that was the outfit I decided to go with.”
Despite a few band member changes since then, Tim Voutas Quartet is going strong and released its first album, Introducing TVQ, at Ellington Jazz Club in April.
“I made a goal at the start of 2018 to record by the end of 2018. I missed that goal but it wasn’t by much so that was OK,” Voutas said.
“For me, the writing process is tedious and long because I want to make sure it’s right.
“Our style is contemporary jazz but I try to play as much varied music as I can. We take a lot of inspiration from Art Blakey with hard bop and then also modern artists like Brad Mehldau.”
Jazz fans will get to experience the album live as Tim Voutas Quartet plays the free opening night concert of Perth International Jazz Festival at 5pm, November 8, State Theatre Centre of WA Courtyard.
Started by the legendary Graham Wood in 2013, Perth International Jazz Festival continues under the artistic direction of Dr Mace Francis after Wood’s death in 2017.
“It’s a really culturally diverse program with musicians from all over the world,” Voutas said.
“It’s definitely my musical highlight of the year where we get all these amazing artists come to Perth; some we’re not heard of and others we dream to hear live.”
Voutas will also accompany his friend and Japanese saxophonist Akane Ezawa in her concert at Heath Ledger Theatre on Sunday, November 10.
The Perth International Jazz Festival program of free and ticketed events is at www.perthinternationaljazzfestival.com.au.