If you take a hugely popular book and use it to inspire music, what do you get? Lachy Hamilton's acclaimed debut album Alchemy.
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The saxophonist and composer's songs are based on the characters and theme of following your heart and dreams that are in Paulo Coelho's novel The Alchemist.
It is a theme that resonated with the jazz musician when he first read the book, after finishing university and wondering what to do with his life.
"It's all about finding your personal legend. It's about following your dreams which is very apt when you get out of uni and think 'what am I doing'," he said.
"There's so much imagery in the book, it's beautifully written so it's easy to draw music from.
"Everyone's reading of the text is different and what they've gained from it will be different.
"I'm putting out what I got from it in the hope it will inspire others to read the book."
He said the inspiration for music that comes from reading a book happens in much the same way as when drawing on life experiences.
"Music for us is a great way to express ourselves and it's a great release from any tension in our lives," the 24-year-old said.
"When I'm writing I sit down with an instrument, think about the aspects, motives, and see it evolve."
When he performs music from the album at the Murrah this month he will not be alone; joining him to play the Alchemy repertoire as well as arrangements of jazz standards in a quartet format will be Dave Quin on double bass, Tim Geldens on drums and Leo Larratt on guitar.
"We're very much rooted in the tradition of rhythm," Hamilton said.
"We love to swing, there's lots of South American grooves like samba.
"It's high intensity, as well as quite conversational between the musicians as we improvise."
Hamilton is drawn to jazz for many reasons, such as the rhythm and the feeling of it, as well as the ability to express himself as it is an individual art form where everyone has their own style.
He said while he is a young performer he would not describe his music as a new movement.
"Bill Evans said it right. He said jazz is not an it or a thing, because it's always evolving, it's always moving," he said.
"In my generation we have our influences. But its all connected to the concept of jazz.
"There's lots of great musicians coming up at the moment. I play with a few hip hop artists and jazz is such a strong influence in that scene.
"Everyone generation has something new to bring to the genre, which is great. It's always fresh."
The performance will be on Sunday, August 18 at the Murrah Hall, 2989 Tathra-Bermagui Rd, from 3pm.
Tickets at the door are $20.
Albert McKnight
Journalist at Bega District News.
Journalist at Bega District News.
