Biography

Composer Jenna Cave co-leads and conducts the Divergence Jazz Orchestra, made up of 18 of Sydney’s leading young jazz musicians. Their critically acclaimed 2013 album The Opening Statement featured seven of her compositions.

“Cave has established herself as a top-level composer, arranger and conductor in Australian jazz” – John McBeath, The Australian

“Cave writes with depth and maturity well beyond her years” – Jack Bowers, All About Jazz

Jenna grew up in Canberra, and studied at the ANU School of Music during school and for her Bachelor of Music degree, studying jazz arranging and composition with Miroslav Bukovsky. 2008-2010 Cave undertook a Master of Music (composition) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under William Motzing. Prior to forming her own ensemble in 2012 Cave has worked with various groups around the country including the Bennett’s Lane Big Band (Melbourne) and the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra as the 2011 composer-in-residence. Outside of jazz Cave also composes chamber music, solo pieces, electroacoustic works and music for films.

Composer website:  www.jennacave.com

Featured Works

Flash in the Pan, for jazz orchestra.

Flash in the Pan is a through-composed work for 18 piece jazz orchestra. The piece has a hip-hop groove over which developing melodies develop and grow passing between instrumental sections. – Composer

Featured in Playlist 4: Visual Waves (30/4/2015)

A Little Shorter, for jazz orchestra.

I wrote A Little Shorter when I was studying Jazz at the ANU school of music, inspired by the compositions of Wayne Shorter.

Featured in Jazz-World Waves – November 2017

PODCAST

Jenna Cave was interviewed for the Making Conversation: Australian Composers’ Podcast, Episode 6, 17/11/16.