Misplaced Pages

The Idea of North
L to R: Andrew Piper, Naomi Crellin, Sally Cameron, Nick Begbie Performing at Chapel off Chapel, Melbourne, November 2008
Background information
Origin	Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Genres	Jazz
Years active	1993 (1993)–present
Labels	Magnetic ABC Jazz/Universal
Members	Nick Begbie Naomi Crellin Luke Thompson Emma Rule Kai Kitamura
Past members	Trish Delaney-Brown Andrew Piper Megan Corson Sally Cameron Joy Hague Jo Lawry
Website	idea.com.au

The Idea of North are an Australian a cappella vocal ensemble founded in Canberra in 1993, by Nick Begbie (tenor), Meg Corson (alto), Trish Delaney-Brown (soprano) and Andrew Piper (bass). Still active in 2024, but touring less frequently since the Covid-19 pandemic, The Idea of North has had a number of personnel changes since their formation, with Nick Begbie the only remaining original member.

The group is the only a cappella outfit ever to have won two ARIAs (Australian Recording Industry Association awards), both in the Best Jazz Album category at the ARIA Music Awards of 2010 for Feels Like Spring (collaboration with James Morrison) and again in 2013 for Smile, as well as three other ARIA nominations.

History

1993-1999: formation and debut album

The Idea of North was formed in Canberra 1993 by Nick Begbie (tenor), Meg Corson (alto), Trish Delaney-Brown (soprano) and Andrew Piper (bass). Three of the members were students at the Canberra School of Music (CSM) of Australian National University (ANU), while Nick was studying a non-music degree at the ANU but singing with the other three extra-curricularly in the CSM's vocal jazz ensemble, led by performer and jazz vocal educator Gery Scott. These four formed their own quartet from the larger ensemble, eventually adopting their name from The Idea of North (1967), a radio documentary by Canadian classical pianist, Glenn Gould. The group is generally described as a jazz quartet, but they also delve regularly into the pop, R&B, classical, folk, soul and gospel genres. Over the years, the individual members of the group have written, arranged and performed some original music, but largely tackle re-imaginings of jazz standards and other music by a huge variety of artists, including but not limited to The Beatles, Tim Minchin, Sting, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, The Muppets, Joni Mitchell, Randy Newman, ABBA, The Bee Gees, Vulfpeck and John Mayer.

In 1997 they recorded their debut album, The Idea of North, with Ra Khan in the recording booth at the CSM recording studios. The group members arranged cover versions of both jazz standards, gospel music, traditional songs and more contemporary material. Instrumentation was provided by Greg Stott on congas and percussion, Duncan Brown on bass and Piper on flugelhorn on "My Funny Valentine", although the album was majority a cappella.

2000-2005: The Sum of Us, Here & Now and Evidence

The Idea of North's second album, The Sum of Us was released in October 2001, its track, "Mas Que Nada", features Morrison on trombone and another track, "Fragile", showcases Don Burrows on flute. Delaney-Brown wrote two tracks, "Neat Surprise" and "Gotta Move On", while "Singin a Capella" was co-written by Begbie and Piper and "Two Sides to the Story" was written by Piper. It was co-produced by the group's members and recorded by David Hemming at Tiger Studios, Sydney for Magnetic Records. It reached No. 15 on the ARIA Jazz & Blues Albums chart.

In March 2002 Corson was replaced as alto in the group by Naomi Crellin (ex-Pure Harmony & ex-Jelelah), an Adelaide Girl's Choir alumni and a graduate from University of Adelaide's Elder Conservatorium. Crellin's previous group, Pure Harmony, was an a cappella quartet formed in 1992 at Marryatville High School, Adelaide with fellow students Sally Cameron, Joy Hague and Kate Boumelha.

The Idea of North's third album, Here & Now, was released in October 2003 via ABC Jazz, which contained re-recordings of their previous material plus two new tracks. Recorded by the line-up of Begbie, Crellin, Delaney-Brown and Piper at Australian Broadcasting Corporation's studio 227, Sydney, it reached No. 13 on the ARIA Hitseekers Albums Chart and No. 8 on the ARIA Jazz & Blues Albums chart.

San Francisco-based, Contemporary A Cappella Society, present the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards. In 2004 the Idea of North were runners up for Artist of the Year.

In May 2004, The Idea of North's released Evidence, featuring original songs from Delaney-Brown and arrangements by Crellin, Delaney-Brown, Morrison and Piper, as well as guest appearances by Morrison and Melbourne-based Australian drummer David Jones. The group also recorded and included on Evidence an arrangement of Horace Silver's Sister Sadie written especially for them by long-time fan and renowned Swedish-Australian musicologist and music theorist Bengt-Olov Palmqvist. Evidence peaked at No. 12 on the ARIA Jazz & Blues Albums chart. At the 2005 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards they won best jazz album and best jazz song for "Rachel".

2006-2009: The Gospel Project & Live at the Powerhouse

In April 2006, The Idea of North released The Gospel Project, and featured prayers and three tracks, "Let It Ring", "Help Us" and "The Truth" co-written by Begbie and Michael Leunig. Aside from vocals by Begbie, Crellin, Delaney-Brown and Piper four of the recordings included instrumentals: Duncan Brown on bass guitar, Bill Risby on keyboards and Gordon Rytmeister on drums. During 2006 they had appeared at festivals in Germany, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea. In October they toured Australia to promote the album with the Gospel Project Band.

On 2 July 2007 they issued their first live album, Live at the Powerhouse, both on CD and as a DVD. Barry O'Sullivan of All About Jazz described how the "a capella vocal ensemble just swings and swings with impeccable harmonies and an understanding of each others' vocal parts. The breadth of the group's performance is its most remarkable characteristic, never stopping in offering something new with tracks." The album was recorded at the Brisbane Powerhouse on 4 June 2006 with the DVD directed and edited by Adam Sébire, while the audio was recorded by David Hemming and produced by the group.

Sally Cameron (ex-Pure Harmony, South Australian Police Band) joined as soprano in February 2007 to replace Delaney-Brown, who left to start her family. The group farewelled Delaney-Brown, formally, in a one-off concert at The Basement, Sydney in June 2008. She later became a member of Sonic Mayhem Orchestra and then James Valentine Quartet before establishing the Trish Delaney-Brown Quintet, and then in 2021 debuting with her new female vocal trio, Lhyra.

2010-2011: Feels Like Spring & Extraordinary Tale

On 10 April 2010, The group released their sixth studio album, Feels Like Spring which, another collaboration with Australian jazz icon James Morrison, peaked at No. 3 on the ARIA Jazz & Blues Albums chart and spent 33 weeks (non-consecutive) in the top 20 until February 2011. In the studio, non-vocal instrumentation was supplied by: Ian Cooper on strings; Sandro Constatino on viola; Alexandra D'ella on violin; Phillip Hartl on violin; Morrison on double bass, flugelhorn, horn arrangements, piano, saxophone, trombone and trumpet; James Muller on guitar; Gordon Rytmeister on drums; Sunil de Silva on percussion; Adrian Wallis on cello; Duncan Brown on electric bass, and Jonathan Zwartz on double bass. It was recorded at James Morrison Studios and co-produced by the group and Morrison.

At the ARIA Music Awards of 2010 Idea of North and James Morrison won the ARIA Award for Best Jazz Album for Feels Like Spring.

In July 2011, the group released Extraordinary Tale. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2011 the recording was nominated for Best Jazz Album. For this entirely a cappella recording Begbie, Cameron, Crellin and Piper provided their usual four part harmony with Piper adding some vocal percussion. Extraordinary Tale peaked at No. 1 on the ARIA Jazz & Blues Albums, No. 5 on the Hitseekers Albums and No. 93 on the Top 100 Physical Albums charts. Also in late 2011 Crellin took maternity leave, her alto role covered by Joy Hague (ex-Pure Harmony) with Crellin returning in early 2012. Hague resumed her work as a high school music teacher although she filled in as deputy alto in the Idea of North as required thereafter.

2012-2014: This Christmas and Smile

The quartet recorded their eighth studio album, This Christmas, which was released on 29 October 2012. The album includes Morrison guesting on trombone on two tracks and Hague as alto on three tracks. It was rumoured to have been recorded in several locations, including the James Morrison Studios in Warriewood, Sydney, the home studio of Sydney drummer Gordon Rytmeister (who also appears on the album), and a friend's single-car garage. The album peaked at No. 80 on the ARIA Albums, No. 2 on the Hitseekers Albums and No. 2 on the Jazz & Blues Albums charts.

The quartet's ninth studio album, Smile, was released on 12 August 2013 which peaked at No. 86 on the ARIA Albums, No. 4 on the Hitseekers Albums and No. 2 on the Jazz & Blues Albums charts.

At the ARIA Music Awards of 2013 the Idea of North won the ARIA Award for Best Jazz Album for a second time with Smile.

In November 2014, the Idea of North released a compilation album, Anthology, which peaked at No. 5 on the Jazz & Blues Albums charts.

2015-2019: Ballads, Hush 16, A World of Christmas and Brick By Brick

In 2015, due to some vocal health issues, a replacement tenor was sourced to cover Nick's part for The Idea of North's 2015 Australian Christmas Tour. Ed Fairlie, a jazz trumpeter, singer and educator from Melbourne auditioned and was taken on for the tour, however because the adverse effects of Nick's health issues only affected his upper register, Naomi rearranged the tour repertoire to include a new baritone part that Nick learnt alongside Ed's inclusion, and it became the first ever 5-part (quintet) tour The Idea of North had ever undertaken.

From 2016, Japanese vocal percussionist Kaichiro Kitamura was a session and touring member and featured on three tracks on their tenth studio album, Ballads, which was released on 18 April 2016. The album was a collaborative affair, not only with Kai's involvement, but Ed Fairlie also arranged a song ('My One And Only Love') for the group's 2016 album 'Ballads' and sang with the group on the recording of that song. 'Ballads' has a fifth quintet track in a song featuring Australia jazz vocalist Kristin Berardi on a Naomi Crellin-arranged track that Kristin wrote called 'Ode to Ollie'. The album reached No. 3 on the Hitseekers Albums and No. 2 on the Jazz & Blues Albums charts.

Several years prior to 2016, The Hush Foundation, (a Melbourne health care charity) had approached The Idea of North and asked them to record an album of original music for the HUSH program – but the group had been too busy. It was suggested that the album go ahead, but with collaborators. HUSH 16: A Piece Of Quiet was born, through collaborations between The Idea of North, Israeli-Australian singer-songwriter Lior and Australian composer and pianist Elena Kats-Chernin. The tracks on the album were based on conversations had with kids - about their views of the world, family life, school life, illness, health and wellbeing - and the kids' stories and views were used as a basis for the lyrics and themes on many of the album's tracks. It was The Idea of North's first kid's album project, and was nominated for 'Best Children's Album' at the 2017 ARIA Awards.

2016 was a busy year for The Idea of North, who were also approached by long time collaborator and label ABC Music in 2016 and asked to record a Christmas Album with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for the ABC Classics label ('A World of Christmas'). The songs were almost all arranged by Naomi Crellin and much of the orchestration was by Australian composer and orchestrator Joseph Twist. The album was recorded live in Melbourne, and with his specialty in jazz percussion, Kaichiro Kitamura was the drummer (vocally) for the included jazz rhythm section.

In February 2017, Cameron and Piper both left the group; Piper was replaced on bass by Adelaide jazz vocalist, saxophonist and educator Luke Thompson, while Cameron's temporary replacements were Delaney-Brown and Jo Lawry prior to Emma Rule becoming the group's new permanent soprano in September 2017. Kaichiro Kitamura became a permanent member of the group in May 2017, and for the first time in its history, The Idea of North was officially a quintet.

In November 2018, the group self-recorded and self-released its 14th and first fully 5-part album Brick By Brick, with the same lineup that has persisted since then: Nick Begbie; Naomi Crellin; Kaichiro Kitamura; Emma Rule and Luke Thompson.

2020-present: The Covid-19 Pandemic

Before the Covid-19 pandemic set it worldwide, The Idea of North played their last show to a full house at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Australia. Due to the increasing concern over the pandemic, growing rates of infection and escalating frequency of lock-downs, The Idea of North went into hiatus. With members living in three different states of Australia and one member in Japan, rehearsing became unviable, and the pandemic saw live presentation of the arts in Australia grind to a shuddering halt. For periods throughout 2020-2022, singing in group was deemed illegal (in Australia), so the viability of working as a singing group was severely diminished. In 2023, following a significant decrease in infections worldwide, as well as the post-pandemic re-opening of Japan in Oct 2022, The Idea of North re-formed to begin touring again.

Members

Current

• Tenor: Nick Begbie (1993–present)
• Soprano: Emma Rule (2018–present)
• Alto: Naomi Crellin (2002–11, 2012–present)
• Bass: Luke Thompson (2017–present)
• Baritone & Vocal percussion: Kaichiro Kitamura (2017–present)
• Sound Engineer: Grant Whitehead (2016–present)

Touring, studio and session

• Tenor: Ed Fairlie (2015-2016)
• Vocal percussion: Kaichiro Kitamura (2016)

• Live sound: David O'Rourke (1994–2007), Tod Deeley (2007–2016), Michael Honey (casual 2018–present), Kath Burrows (casual 2015–present), Grant Whitehead (2016-present)
• Studio sound: Ra Khan (1996), David Hemming (2001–2007), Tod Deeley (2007–2016), Kath Burrows (2017–2019), Grant Whitehead (2016-present)

Former

• Alto: Meg Corson (1993–2002)
• Bass: Andrew Piper (1993–2017)
• Alto: Joy Hague (2011–12)
• Soprano: Sally Cameron (2007–2017), Trish Delaney-Brown (1993–2007, 2017), Jo Lawry (2017)

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

As featured albums

Compilation albums

Awards and nominations

ARIA Awards

The ARIA Music Awards are presented annually since 1987 by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). The Idea of North has won one award from four nominations.

CARA Awards

Since 1992, the annual Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs) recognise the best recorded a cappella and aim to support this burgeoning culture of instrument-less enthusiasts.

• Note:wins only

References

1. Hall, Loretta (27 July 2007). "Magnetic North". The Herald Sun.
2. Banks, Ron (14 June 2004). "Evidence of a distinctive Idea". The West Australian.
3. Derdeyn, Stuart (5 August 2010). "In need of a name, but smart to peel off Banana Four". The Vancouver Province.
4. "US May Hear Idea of North". Illawarra Mercury. 3 July 1998.
5. "Makes me wanna sing". The Canberra Times. 24 March 2009.
6. "Quartet returns home". The Chronicle. Canberra. 24 March 2009.
7. ^ Brotohusodo, Michelle (8 August 2011). "The Idea of North". HerCanberra. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
8. ^ "The Idea of North [sound recording] – Version details". Trove. Retrieved 25 April 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
9. ^ The Idea of North (liner notes). The Idea of North (performers). The Idea of North. 1997. ION 97007-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
10. ^ "Releases :: The Sum of Us". Australian Music Online. Archived from the original on 16 August 2008. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
11. ^ The Sum of Us (liner notes). The Idea of North (performers). Magnetic Records. 1997. 934 002-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
12. ^ Kellaghan, Ronan (21 January 2002). "Week Commencing ~ 21st January 2002 ~ Issue #621" (PDF). The ARIA Report (621). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA): 18. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 February 2002. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
13. Eliezer, Christie (27 February 2002). "Changes to the North". Music & Media Business News. TheMusic. Archived from the original on 4 February 2003. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
14. "Joy Hague". The Idea of North Official Website. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
15. "Music News: Generations in Jazz" (PDF). Marryatville High School Newsletter. Marryatville High School. June 2010. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
16. ^ Idea of North (2003), Here & Now, ABC Jazz, Universal Classics & Jazz, retrieved 26 April 2017
17. ^ "Releases :: Here & Now". Australian Music Online. Archived from the original on 10 August 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
18. ^ Ditton, Lynette (22 December 2003). "Week Commencing ~ 22nd December 2003 ~ Issue #722" (PDF). The ARIA Report (722). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA): 17, 20. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2004. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
19. "Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards". Barbershop Harmony Foundation. Archived from the original on 19 June 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
20. "2004 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award Winners". A Cappella Music – The Contemporary A Cappella Society. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
21. ^ Thomas, Tara (12 July 2004). "Week Commencing ~ 12th July 2004 ~ Issue #750" (PDF). The ARIA Report (750). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA): 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 August 2004. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
22. ^ "2005 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award Winners". A Cappella Music – The Contemporary A Cappella Society. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
23. Eriksson, Boel (17 December 2008). "Jazz vocals define Idea of North". Northern District Times.
24. ^ Idea of North; Risby, Bill (instrumentalist); Brown, Duncan (instrumentalist); Rytmeister, Gordon (instrumentalist) (2006), The Gospel Project, The Idea of North, retrieved 29 April 2017
25. ^ "The Idea Of North - The Gospel Project Tour". Lifestyle and Recreation. City of Stonnington. Archived from the original on 30 August 2006. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
26. ^ Live at the Powerhouse at AllMusic
    • CD version:"Idea of the North – Live at the Powerhouse". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
    • DVD version:"Idea of the North – Live at the Powerhouse". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
27. O'Sullivan, Barry (23 November 2007). "The Idea of North: Live at the Powerhouse". All About Jazz. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
28. Idea of North; Sebire, Adam (2007), Idea of North: Live at the Powerhouse, Australian Broadcasting Corporation/The Idea of North, retrieved 29 April 2017
29. The Idea of North: Live at the Powerhouse (booklet). The Idea of North (performers). The Idea of North. Australian Broadcasting Corporation/ABC Jazz. 1997. 4766153.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
30. ^ "The Idea of North – Farewell Concert to Trish Delaney-Brown". Moshtix. 4 June 2008. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
31. "Trish Delaney-Brown Quintet". Jazz in Sydney. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
32. ^ Wallace, Ian (26 April 2010). "Week Commencing ~ 26th April 2010 ~ Issue #1052" (PDF). The ARIA Report (1052). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA): 22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 May 2010. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
33. Wallace, Ian (28 February 2011). "Week Commencing ~ 28th February 2011 ~ Issue #1096" (PDF). The ARIA Report (1096). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA): 22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 May 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
34. ^ "Feels Like Spring – The Idea of Spring, James Morrison | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
35. "2010 ARIA Awards Winners by Year". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 29 April 2017.
36. "2011 ARIA Awards Winners by Year". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 30 April 2017.
37. ^ "Extraordinary Tale – The Idea of Spring | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
38. ^ Wallace, Ian (12 September 2011). "Week Commencing ~ 12th September 2011 ~ Issue #1124" (PDF). The ARIA Report (1124). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA): 8, 20–21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
39. ^ Idea of North (2012), This Christmas, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Universal Music Group , retrieved 30 April 2017
40. ^ Wallace, Ian (17 December 2012). "Week Commencing ~ 17th December 2012 ~ Issue #1190" (PDF). The ARIA Report (1190). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA): 2, 6, 8, 15, 21, 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
41. ^ Wallace, Ian (2 September 2013). "Week Commencing ~ 2nd September 2013 ~ Issue #1227" (PDF). The ARIA Report (1227). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA): 6, 8, 21, 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 September 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
42. ^ Wallace, Ian (28 October 2013). "Week Commencing ~ 28th October 2013 ~ Issue #1235" (PDF). The ARIA Report (1235). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA): 21, 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
43. "2013 ARIA Awards Winners by Year". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 30 April 2017.
44. ^ Wallace, Ian (5 January 2015). "Week Commencing ~ 5th January 2015 ~ Issue #1297" (PDF). The ARIA Report (1297). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA): 22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 January 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
45. "Groove Sessions | Brisbane Powerhouse Brisbane Powerhouse". Archived from the original on 11 June 2016.
46. ^ Wallace, Ian (9 May 2016). "Week Commencing ~ 9th May 2016 ~ Issue #1367" (PDF). The ARIA Report (1367). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA): 22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
47. ^ "Here's just a little snippet of what awaits you on our brand new album". Facebook. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
48. "Smile (DD)". Apple Music. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
49. "Ballads (DD)". Apple Music. April 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
50. "A World of Christmas (DD)". Apple Music. 10 November 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
51. "Hush Volume 16: A Piece of Quiet". Apple Music. 7 October 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
52. "ARIA Awards Best Jazz Album". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 7 March 2021.
53. ARIA Award previous winners. "ARIA Awards Best Jazz Album". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 26 June 2022.
54. ARIA Award previous winners. "ARIA Awards Best Children's Album". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 13 July 2022.

External links

• Official website
• Contemporary A Cappella Society

• ARIA Award winners
• Australian Capital Territory musical groups
• Australian vocal groups
• Australian jazz ensembles
• Professional a cappella groups
• Vocal quartets
• Vocal jazz ensembles
• 1993 establishments in Australia
• Musical groups established in 1993