As one of Australia's most exciting contemporary music ensembles, the Australian Art Orchestra has consistently been at the forefront of improvisation and new music. With Australia's leading musicians, it expresses a musical ambition and confidence that makes each performance truly unique.

Following a string of sterling performances at Bennetts Lane in August 2011, the Australian Art Orchestra will return this year, showing off the next generation of Australian musical talent over 4 evenings of improvisatory splendour based on Hard Core.

Hard Core was conceived 10 years ago as a reflection of the vitality and excellence of Australian music. The AAO commissioned 10 new works by some of Australia's leading improvising artists to create directed works for improvisers, which were performed in Melbourne to critical acclaim. The AAO's Associate Artistic Director, Scott Tinkler, has taken the concept of Hard Core to create a new energetic and exciting platform from which several emerging musicians, directed and accompanied by members of the AAO, will explore and share their creative improvising skills.

Bringing the magic of improvisation alive in an intimate space, the AAO invite you to cosy up for a unique performance that promises to delight, inspire and surprise.

Tonight features Scott Tinkler, trumpet; Eugene Ball, trumpet; Stephen Magnusson, guitar; Scott McConnachie, sax; Callum G'Froerer, trumpet; Brett Thompson, guitar; Sam Pankhurst, double bass; Harry Shaw-Reynolds, drums; Matthias Schack-Arnott, percussion