First Rhythms: Adam Manning and the Australian Art Orchestra

First Rhythms

Adam Manning and the Australian Art Orchestra

Adam Manning’s piece First Rhythms recontextualises clapsticks, First Nations rhythms, and visual art within a contemporary performance setting, guided by the Indigenous understanding that everything is alive and carries a pulse—such as the earth’s natural rhythm. By integrating traditional percussive elements with modern instrumentation, multimodal art, and a blend of improvisation and notation, First Rhythms embodies a living, breathing dialogue between sound, movement, and Country. In the composer’s own words:

"Working with the AAO allows me to place the clapsticks at the centre of a conversation - not just as instruments, but as carriers of memory, movement, and connection to Country."

"This collaboration with the Australian Art Orchestra is more than a performance - it’s a living dialogue. I feel like we’re creating a sonic canvas where tradition and innovation meet, grounded in the pulse of Country."

Manning, who was born on Awabakal/Worimi Country and has Kamilaroi kinship, is the 2025 First Nations Artist in Residence with the Australian Art Orchestra—a program presented in partnership with the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. The residency supports the artistic and professional development of First Nations musicians working across jazz, improvisation, hip-hop, singer-songwriter, and contemporary art music.