Heartbeat

Enjoy an import from New York City by Australian expatriate Ben Winkelman. Originally from the States, Winkelman grew up in Melbourne, and in 2010 he returned to America to pursue a career as a jazz pianist.

The pandemic has had lasting effects worldwide, but in particular for New Yorkers in 2020 and 2021, it was a particularly trying time. Many artists from this all-important city have reflected their experiences of the lockdowns in their works, including Australian expat Ben Winkelman. A pianist originally from the US, Winkelman grew up in Melbourne and returned to America to take up residence in NYC. He's been there some 13 years now, and he's just released his 6th album as a leader.

Many of the compositions on this release were penned during that fateful time when gigs dried up, but for Ben, this was also a deeply personal period as he awaited the birth of his first child. On Heartbeat, there is a reflective yet energetic feel across the 9 originals presented here, with the pianist being expertly backed by a band that featured New Zealand's Matt Penman on bass, American Obed Calvaire on drums and special guest Gilad Hekselman - a guitarist originally from Israel.