Nick Marks - Dedication (for Gabi)

NOMINATION: Work of the Year - Jazz

NOMINATION: Work of the Year - Jazz

For an original Jazz work of any instrumentation, including improvisatory composition. A work is defined as a single complete musical composition, or expression. This includes music with movements or sub-works (i.e. song cycles), installations, and real-time compositions (improvised music).

If you believe your work to be nominated in the wrong category or the details of your nomination to be incorrect, please contact the AMC via email at awards@australianmusiccentre.com.au before proceeding with the nomination.

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Nominee

Nick Marks

Title of the work

Dedication (for Gabi)

Performer

Nick Marks, The Budapest Art Orchestra, Arta Jēkabsone

Performance Date

15/3/2024

Venue

Dedication (for Gabi)

Nominator Statement
Since leaving Melbourne for New York in 2016, Nick Marks has established himself as an internationally sought after artist and composer. His track Dedication (for Gabi) illustrates another side to his compositional pallet. While Marks is a convervatory trained jazz pianist (Monash University), he has also undertaken extensive self-driven studies in the classical/symphonic canon. Marks has always been inspired by the sounds of neo-classical music, especially where it meets the cutting edge of incorporating electronica elements. Marks worked with the Budapest Art Ensmble, for which he composed and arranged a 21 piece string section to perform. He also enlisted the angelic and ethereal vocals of Arta Jēkabsone, one of New Yorks brightest and most celebrated up and coming jazz vocalists. The piece was written as an homage to Nicks late cousin, Gabi Basser, who at 31 passed away from cancer 7 years after her diagnosis. The piece aims to take listeners on a moving and emotional journey, reflecting the beauty and complexity of life. Nicks piece received great reviews and was performed on renowned US station KEXP. Marks is a completely independent artist who self-manages and funds his own project.

Eligibility checklist

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