Shamin - Fine Gnaw (2019)

SHAMIN are an experimental jazz duo based in Brisbane, Australia. The group formed off the back of a recording session for Martin Kay’s Forage and explores original composition, unconventional rhythm and timbre drawing influence from Matt Mitchell, David Binney, Dan Weiss, Steve Newcomb, Mark Guiliana, Vijay Iyer and Tyshawn Sorey to list a few.

Comprised of Sophie Min and Benjamin Shannon, SHAMIN will be releasing their debut album in April 2019. Sophie Min is a Brisbane based pianist, composer and improvising artist who expands on the proficiencies of the varied small ensembles by her unique pianism and explosive improvisation. She is an active composer whose work shows a distinctive personal aesthetic and who has become one of the most outstanding young jazz artists in Australia.

She works with original groups Nimble, Min/Svoboda/Hawkins, Kayleigh Pincott Quintet, Min/Sherlock Duo and Sprout among being one of the most in demand jazz and improvised music players in Brisbane. She recently attended the Banff International Jazz Program, has worked with the JM Jazz World Orchestra and performed/toured with Kristin Berardi, James Sherlock, Elly Hoyt and Rafael Karlen.

Benjamin Shannon is making a serious indent into the Australian and International music scene as a percussionist, educator, booker, curator and composer. Shannon works with original groups Milton Man Gogh, Kodiak Empire, Martin Kay’s Forage, Valtozash Bigband, Brisbane Conduction Ensemble, Luke Dowsett and Found in Trees among many others.

Benjamin attended the Banff International Jazz Program in 2017 and the Australian Art Orchestra Creative Intensive Program in September 2018. He has studied with the likes of Mark Guiliana, Dave Elitch, Andrew Gander, Simon Barker, John Parker and Paul Hudson and has performed alongside groups/artists such as KNOWER, COG, sleepmakeswaves, The Contortionist, Leprous, James Morrison, Robin Eubanks, Scott Tinkler, Steve Barry and Martin Kay to summarise an extensive list.