The Australian Art Orchestra, alongside guests Ngaiire and Joelistics premier Saltwater, Sugar, an ambitious new work of scale by AAO Artistic Director and composer Aaron Choulai. Performed in English, Motu and Tok Pisin, the piece moves between spoken dialogue, sung melodies and adventurous improvising from some of Australia’s most important instrumental artists today, bringing the AAO back to its original conception as a large ensemble.

A love story set on a sugar cane plantation, Saltwater, Sugar touches on the interconnectedness of Chinese, Papua New Guinean and Indigenous people during the time of the Gold Rush and the Blackbirding slave trade in Australia.

A scored fictional story that draws on historical events, this work is set in the sound world of Duke Ellington, through the distinct voice of the Australian Art Orchestra.

Saltwater, Sugar is commissioned by Bunjil Place in partnership with the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.