Hishakaku Quartet - The First Proxy (2018)

The Hishakaku Quartet’s new album The First Proxy is out now on Earshift Music with launch dates in Melbourne and the 2018 Wangaratta International Jazz Festival. Comprised of 2017 Australian Jazz Award winner and runner up, trombonist James Macaulay and trumpeter Niran Dasika, the chord-less quartet features inspired original compositions from the ensemble, synergetic interplay between the two front line and confluent support from Australian-Japanese rhythm section of Marty Holoubek and drummer Shun Ishiwaka.

The band members have a long collaborative history of working together in groups such as the Lagerphones, Aaron Choulai Quintet, Niran Dasika Quartet, Shun Ishiwaka Clean Up Trio as well as other Tokyo-based projects. The new formation as the Hishakaku Quartet is named after their favourite Yakitori restaurant in Ekoda, which they visited following their recording session.

Macaulay and Holoubek first met Ishiwaka whilst performing with Aaron Choulai in 2014 in Japan, and the musical rapport was instantaneous, particularly in the way Holoubek and Ishiwaka melded so well, able to play with freedom and creativity whilst retaining energy and momentum. This was documented on Choulai’s release Vada Taudia (Apollo Sounds, 2017). Dasika relocated from Melbourne to Tokyo from 2016-2017, quickly becoming an in-demand trumpeter, featured on several albums including Kemano’s Metamoru City (Sony Music Artists Inc), Akihiro Yoshimoto’s Oxymoron (MOR Records), Sumire Kuribayashi’s Pieces of Colour (Somethin’ Cool, also featuring Macaulay) and Ishiwaka’s second solo album Songbook II (YoungS’tones Records). Ishiwaka also features on Dasika’s latest quartet album Suzaku (Apollo Sounds).

Macaulay says of the album, “the atmosphere in the studio was great, we were all having such a good time playing together in this wonderful new context with old friends. I love Japan, and am grateful for the opportunities to not only tour there with the Lagerphones and Aaron Choulai, but to play and record with various local musicians. Every year I make more new friends in the amazing, ever-expanding Tokyo music community. Shun is my favourite drummer - infinitely versatile, virtuosic, creative and damn groovy. Marty is one of my oldest and best friends, as well as sharing many small Japanese apartments over the years! He is strong, creative and fun to work with in a variety of musical contexts. Niran has such a glorious tone and command of the trumpet - I’m so glad we could do this together! I look forward to playing with this band a lot more, and seeing where it takes us!”