Draft:The Consouls
Australian jazz ensemble specializing in video game music
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The Consouls are an Australian jazz ensemble based in Sydney. Formed in 2014, the group specializes in jazz and fusion arrangements of video game music, blending traditional jazz idioms with compositions from video game franchises such as The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, and Super Mario.
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Finished drafting? |
The Consouls | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Label | Independent |
| Members |
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| Website | www |
The ensemble has been cited in musicological research regarding the intersection of jazz improvisation and "ludic scoring" (video game composition).[1]
History
The Consouls formed in 2014 as a project among Sydney-based musicians led by bassist Jonathan Gamra. The group initially focused on publishing jazz interpretations of video game soundtracks to YouTube, arranging music from publishers such as Nintendo and Square Enix for small jazz combos.[2]
The band has performed at pop-culture conventions including PAX Australia and SMASH!, and participated in the TEDxMacquarie University conference in 2015.[2]
Musical style
The Consouls' musical identity centers on the recontextualization of video game themes through jazz improvisation. Academic analysis of the group suggests their work, along with acts like The 8-Bit Big Band, introduces "video game cues to the creative arena of jazz performance as a means for extemporization."[1] Their arrangements often utilize reharmonized chord progressions and extended forms typical of hard bop and modern funk.
Discography
Studio albums and EPs
| Title | Year | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Consouls 1-1 | 2014 | EP |
| Consouls 1-2 | 2015 | EP |
| Consouls 1-3 | 2015 | EP |
| Consouls 2-1 | 2015 | EP |
| Consouls 2-2 | 2015 | EP |
| Consouls 2-3 | 2016 | EP |
| Consouls ii-V | 2016 | Album |
| Game & Jazz | 2018 | Album |
| The Velvet Lounge | 2018 | Album |
| Chronicles | 2020 | Album |
| The Velvet Lounge II | 2020 | Album |
| World 6 | 2023 | Album |