BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
Trombonist Kit Millais launched the Hot Socks Big Band in 2018. The director is on a mission to fill a gap in the Melbourne music scene by spreading hard swinging jazz and contemporary big band music – with a twist.
That is, the band’s members are as crazy about music as they are about socks.
The Hot Socks Big Band selects socks with colour. Flair. Insane patterns. “Just like the band’s music itself,” according to Kit.
The band, which features young Melbourne musicians and local composers, will hit up the Dizzy’s Jazz Club in Richmond this 10 June. You’ll hear music that aligns with the name of the show – Around the Jazz World in 80ish Minutes. Expect charts from Australia, Japan, Belgium, Croatia, and…pretty hot socks.
Kit, tell us all about the Hot Socks Big Band. Do you actually wear hot socks?
We do wear hot socks! They really help with our performance.
The Hot Socks Big Band was a group I put together at the start of 2018 to put on programmatic jazz concerts and offer something that I think was missing from most big band performances: a connection between the music.
What qualities make seriously hot socks?
Seriously hot socks are all about vibrant colour and strong patterns. Added bonuses include entertaining patterns such as avocados, tram seat patterns, or funny fish socks that say ‘Oh my cod’.
Okay, so obviously the hot socks are symbolic. Tell us how this fashion fits into your ethos.
Patterned and coloured socks are very popular at the moment, and you often find jazz players sharing photos of their socks with the caption ‘gig socks’. This idea of hot socks and jazz seems to fit really well together because of the light-hearted nature of performing jazz, as opposed to a classical orchestra concert.
We actually perform wearing hot socks and no shoes, just to really show off the socks.The hot socks reflect our vision of providing a fun and fresh perspective on the jazz big band.
You’ll be performing music from around the world (seriously around the world!!). What have you found are some of the similarities between charts from Australia as, say, Croatia?
It is interesting that despite these charts coming from all over the world, they have the same roots in jazz. So a piece from Australia and Croatia are both in a double swing feel; a very traditional style of big band writing. They still write for a standard big band instrumentation of saxes, trumpets, trombones and rhythm section. However, in both parts of the world there are exceptions to this. An Australian piece – Opening, by Melbourne composer Ollie Lacono – forgoes traditional jazz feels and instead uses a rock feel. Similarly, a Croatian piece – Freefall, by Zdenko Ivanušić – is in a funk style with a few alternate woodwind instruments such as bass clarinet and soprano saxophone.
You’re also hitting up a few different styles – fusion, jazz, and rock inclusive. Just what is it that makes a big band so versatile?
The big band started as dance bands in the ’30s to ’50s, and as music evolved so did people’s ideas of what the ensemble is capable of. Band leaders continued to lead ensembles as dance bands, while others led the big band towards art music. That broad spectrum of ideas still exists today.
Another key aspect of the big band’s versatility is within the rhythm and saxophone sections. A saxophone player primarily plays saxophone but is also asked to play clarinet, flute or other woodwind instruments to further add to the colour of the band. In the rhythm section as well, a change from piano to electric keyboard will drastically change the sound of the ensemble and can make a style change from jazz to fusion that much more convincing.
How do you hope people will feel when they listen to your music?
I hope people feel entertained and reflective at moments. When programming any concert, you look to provide a varied selection of upbeat lively pieces and sombre ballads. This upcoming concert will provide real toe-tappers and some really emotional moments, too.
The great thing when programming a big band concert is that the majority of pieces are only 5-10 minutes long, which means you can provide a lot of contrast in style, moods, tempos and instrumentation that further expands the concert experience.
And finally, any advice for picking a hot pair of socks?
Always be on the lookout for colour. Scroll through Instagram, walk around the streets of Melbourne, and find the great selection of local talent we have. Ask people about their socks when you notice them, which is really a great networking tool! Finally, a hot pair of socks should reflect your personality, tastes and interests.
See the Hot Socks Big Band at 3pm June 10 in Dizzy’s Jazz Club.
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