CHAMBER OBSCURA
ABOUT CHAMBER OBSCURA
Melbourne-based ensemble Chamber Obscura is the culmination of years of collective tango passion.
Featuring Violin, Piano, Guitar, Double Bass and Accordion, Chamber Obscura bring their eclectic experience in world music to give a fresh approach to Astor Piazzolla tango works, alongside performing original tango compositions.
Chamber Obscura's breadth includes flamenco and afro-cuban styles, combining classical skill with virtuosic improvisation. Working as a chamber ensemble these four talented musicians interpret and bring new light to classic compositions in their vibrant and dynamic live performances.
​
GROUP BIOS
KIERAN RAY
Guitar
After completing tertiary study in Classical and Jazz guitar at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in 1996, Kieran went to Spain to study Flamenco guitar in 1997. He was a student of various distinguished teachers in Seville, Jerez, Madrid and Cordoba. These studies explored traditional and contemporary styles in solo, song and dance accompaniment, and composition.
Kieran has toured and performed extensively throughout Australia, playing at major festivals, theatres and concert halls with acclaimed national and international singers, dancers and musicians. His music has been broadcast on national and local radio an television, including the ABC and SBS.
SOPHIE DUNN
Violin
​
Sophie Dunn was classically trained in violin and piano at VCASS and has performed with the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra, Blue Grassy Knoll and the Australian Silent Film Orchestra, School of Hard Knocks, Southern Cross Symphony and Circus Oz.
Sophie has played in Devil Goat Family String Band, Mariachi Los Romanticos and is a core member of Andy Baylor’s Banksia Band. She has been a guest musician with Tek Tek Ensemble, Bush Gothic, Jess Ribeiro, The Counterfeit, and recorded with several artists including Ned Collette, Arcko Symphonic Ensemble with Adam Simmons and the Sunwrae String Orchestra.
Sophie’s current projects include Robbie Melville’s Secret Trio and the improvisational string trio Bowlines.
SUZANNE ANDREWS
Piano
Suzanne's musical passions encompass the worlds of classical, latin, roots and jazz, all these influences merging in the tango nuevo style. She studied classical piano with Glenn Riddle at the University of Melbourne and remains a sought-after Melbourne accompanist, having commenced her accompanying experience aged 15. Suzanne has performed in recent years in Trio Moirae, featuring cellist Jasmine Alexandra and violinist Samantha Jorgensen. The Trio’s repertoire includes works by Mendelssohn, Schubert, Rachmaninov, Debussy and Piazzolla.
Suzanne has many years performing experience in the Latin music scene, including the dance styles of Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Bachata and Reggaeton. She has performed with bands La Mezcla, Perle Conche, Cacique, Orquesta LA 45 and Peligro at festivals both in Melbourne and country Victoria, in the Australia-wide competition Clave contra Clave and at venues including The Palace and Deakin Edge.
Additional artist collaborations include Melbourne rock outfit The Deans, Afro reggae outfit Jaspora, and a tango nuevo and coro music project with bassist Howard Cairns and flautist/saxophonist Kristen Perry. She has also performed at Wangaratta, Castlemaine and Hall’s gap jazz festivals.
​
PHIL MCLEOD
Double Bass, Accordion
Phil is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, performer and teacher. He has toured the world playing with his band Blue Grassy Knoll and their live soundtracks to Buster Keaton films. He has also played double bass with the Spaghetti Western Orchestra and Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen, cello with Missy Higgins and Snuff Puppets, accordion with Russian Criminal band Vulgargrad and Irish Cabaret singer Camille O'Sullivan. He has composed music for The State Orchestra of Victoria, ABC Radio, Snuff Puppets and Red Stitch Theatre. He works regularly with The Mighty Buzzniks and has been the resident musician for the Edinburgh, Sydney and Melbourne seasons of the Famous Spiegeltent’s La Clique. He has recorded and contributed to many CD’s and movie soundtracks including Australian films Animal Kingdom and Noise. He holds a tertiary music teaching position at Melbourne Polytechnic (formerly N.M.I.T.) in Melbourne, Australia, where he teaches arranging, music technology, composition, advanced Jazz theory and instrumental performance.
CONTACT
For more information about
Chamber Obscura, including upcoming performances don't hesitate to contact us:
