National Jazz Award winner James Macaulay recorded his dream project in Tokyo featuring Aaron Choulai, Joe Talia, Marty Holoubek, Ben Harrison, Akihiro Yoshimoto, Scott McConnachie, as well as special guests Miyama McQueen- Tokita and Lisa Salvo.

For the launch, James is joined by Melbourne musicians Ben Harrison (trumpet), Scott McConnachie (alto saxophone), Julien Wilson (tenor saxophone), Andrea Keller (piano), Sam Anning (bass), Maria Moles (drums) and Lisa Salvo (voice).

The compositions are inspired by James’ experiences in Japan, touring with Melbourne traditional jazz band the Lagerphones and with pianist Aaron Choulai. The title of the album refers to the cheerful and colourful advertising of ‘Happy Hoppy’ – an (ostensibly) beer flavoured, though non- alcoholic brand of soda often used as a mixer for cheap Shochu, a light Japanese spirit.

Inspired by the work of the Allan Browne Quintet, James’ compositions combine lyricism and abstraction in order to produce new ways to organise improvisation within the standard instrumentation of a jazz septet.

“… James Macaulay playing lines that sounded like he was doing the NYT crossword puzzle blindfolded, underwater, shoes on backwards behind the wheel of a studebaker. (we barely played together at all this trip, b/c the resulting soundwaves generate antimatter- which creates logistical issues for the surrounding environment, but it was a solid musical communion nonetheless & no injuries.)” – Josh Roseman