The Last Will and Testament of John Sangster

The music herein was written in Brisbane, when he knew he was on borrowed time and the cancer could no longer be pacified, and yet there is no inkling of self-pity. Petra was his love and his strength in this last phase of life. The old humour, optimism, and the knowledge that he had given life a hell of a shake anyway shine through these pieces.

Some are reflective and evocative of a wistful farewell. I think he may have wanted the band to be bigger, but our budget had to be carefully marshalled. Tony Gould was monumental throughout and his care and application in converting the scores into trio format and melodic lines for Graeme, Tony, Bob and Smedley was more than admirable. A musicologist. There are whimsical pieces like Raggedy Ann Doll and Fallin' Out the Window. One of his earlier compositions was Rivera Mountain, but we decided it was a must for this collection and it turned into a performance of quiet deliberation with an air of puzzled sadness. Ian Bloxsom played the Sangs parts on vibraharp with taste and aplomb.

Some pieces may have developed into something John hadn't meant them to, but I can imagine him chortling and nodding approval. There was an honesty about all of them and they add to his fine works of other years. A very useful life.

This music has that rare gift of humour and joy.

The music on this recording is indeed a last personal testament.

Anyone who had the pleasure of making music with John Sangster will likely acknowledge that he was some kind of genius. This is a well worn and often misplaced description of achievement. But if one takes in the entire compositional output of this remarkable man, and just as importantly the profound effect he had on many musicians who enjoyed his musical company, the term seems appropriate.

John's music has always had what is often sadly lacking in ‘serious’ music and that is a sense of humour and joy. This in itself is an uncommon gift. One could never separate this man from his music.

He has left a wonderful and large body of works to be sure, and it is Australian music through and through.

He has left something to those who knew him which is equally important, and that is an attitude about his beloved art form – in all its shapes and styles – which saw music for what it really is, a joyous expression of the heart and soul.

Despite all the unsolvable mysteries of the art, the humanity of ‘Sango's’ sounds are clear and there for all to hear.

A truly great Australian musician.

This new Move recording, Last Will and Testament, lovingly produced by many of the friends and jazz colleagues who knew and played with Sangster is then a fitting tribute to a composer whose own music will undoubtedly survive. Australian jazz owes him at least that much.