Benders
| Company type | Jazz ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 in Sydney, Australia |
| Defunct | 1985 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Chris Abrahams, Dale Barlow, Jason Morphett, Louis Burdett, Andrew Gander, Lloyd Swanton |
| Products | Jazz music albums: E (1983), False Laughter (1984), Distance (1985) |
The Benders were a jazz ensemble from Australia active between 1980 and 1985. The lineup featured Chris Abrahams on keyboards, Dale Barlow and later Jason Morphett on saxophones, Louis Burdett followed by Andrew Gander on drums, and Lloyd Swanton handling bass guitar duties. Their discography includes three albums: E (1983), False Laughter (1984), and Distance (1985).
History
Originating in Sydney in 1980, The Benders were initially formed by Abrahams, Barlow, Burdett, and Swanton. The group experienced a personnel change when Andrew Gander took over drumming responsibilities from Burdett. All four—Abrahams, Barlow, Gander, and Swanton—were graduates of the New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music. They secured a regular engagement at the Paradise Jazz Club located in Kings Cross, performing thrice weekly.
Although there was encouragement for them to broaden their musical style beyond jazz to increase commercial appeal, The Benders remained committed to a strictly jazz-oriented approach. Jazz critic John Shand highlighted their innovative style and vigorous performances during the early 1980s. Barlow exited the band in late 1982 to pursue opportunities in the United States but contributed to their first album, E, which was recorded in September 1982 at 2MBS-FM's studio with Abrahams and Swanton as co-producers. Reviewer Adrian Jackson praised the band as "a very exciting band" noted for their inventive themes and spirited improvisations.
Following their debut release, the group embraced a freer style of playing with an emphasis on original compositions alongside lesser-known standards and works by Thelonious Monk. By October 1983, with Morphett replacing Barlow on saxophone, they had cultivated a distinct ensemble identity marked by brisk tempos and intense solos. That same year, Abrahams also performed piano on the Laughing Clowns' album Law of Nature.
Their sophomore album, False Laughter (1984), again co-produced by Abrahams and Swanton, demonstrated their impressive musicianship and unique repertoire. Despite receiving positive reviews and achieving some commercial traction through Hot Records, they contended with a subdued Sydney music environment that offered few consistent performance opportunities.
The group’s final release, Distance, appeared in 1985 prior to their disbandment. Afterward, Abrahams launched his solo career with the album Piano and formed the Sparklers (active from 1985 to 1987) before reuniting with Swanton to establish the Necks in 1987. Meanwhile, Swanton briefly joined Dynamic Hepnotics in 1986 before collaborating with Abrahams again for the Necks.
Discography
- E (1983) – Hot Records (HOT 1002)
- False Laughter (1984) – Hot Records (HOT 1006)
- Distance (1985) – Hot Records