"The proportion of female musicians active outside of classical music remains lamentably small, and the number of drummers minuscule. But the emergence of Jodie Michael on Sydney's jazz scene is even more notable because she is a drummer with an uncommonly fluid rhythmic sense". John Shand, SMH

Exciting drummer and winner of the 2013 Jann Rutherford Memorial Award (JRMA), Jodie Michael debuted her new quartet Broken Time for Foundry616 in October 2013. Jodie Michael was hailed as a major talent almost a decade ago as a student musician. Now a graduate of Sydney Conservatorium Jazz Studies, and having performed widely in trio format and picked up the JRMA, she plans to shake up the scene with Broken Time.

With subtle comparisons to McGann’s original quartet of the 1960s, which, like Jodie Michael's, features New Zealand musicians and was hugely original, Michael brings together key players from the local talent pool to create this thrilling new quartet.

When playing, Michaels displays fearsome energy, great technique and attitude in spades. Inspired by drummers such as Tony Williams (Miles Davis) and Elvin Jones (John Coltrane), it is no wonder she plays with passion and total commitment.

In forming Broken Time, Michael brings together key players from the local talent pool in free jazz alto saxophonist Peter Farrar, who is a major talent influenced by McGann, pianist Steve Barry, another brilliant New Zealander with an exciting, soulful style, inspired by the great Mike Nock and finally, NZ bassist Tom Botting, who has found a place for himself in the competitive Sydney scene and formed a dynamic partnership with Jodie Michael through her trio.

In 1965 two locals (Bernie McGann and John Pochee) and two New Zealanders (Andy Brown and John Pochee) shook up the Sydney jazz scene as the ‘Bernie McGann Quartet’. Broken Time is set to do the same.

Jodie Michael (drums) Peter Farrar (sax) Steve Barry (piano) Tom Botting (bass)