The Rookies - Play Jazz 2 (2021)

Melbourne’s favourite cult jazz band the Rookies return with their 3rd LP, Play Jazz 2, a sequel to their acclaimed debut, Play Jazz. This new collection of reimagined songs from the vast pantheon of jazz standard repertoire features arrangements of music by Eric Dolphy, Charles Mingus, Ron Carter and Ornette Coleman, as well as a post-rock-tinged vision of Juan Tizol’s classic standard (and fan favourite at the Rookies’ regular Wednesday night residency) ‘Caravan’.

Following from the philosophical eclecticism of their last release (2019’s ‘Stay Weird’), the Rookies’ latest offering sees them return to their roots, delving deep into the history of jazz to unearth and reimagine hidden treasures by some of their favourite composers. Play Jazz 2 uniquely celebrates the modernism and free-wheeling creativity of the bandleader/composers of the 1950s and 60s.