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About

Michael Avgenicos

Michael Avgenicos is an Australian saxophonist, composer and educator, performing and recording on saxophones, clarinet and flute.

Hailing from Eora (Sydney), Michael has been playing saxophone since he was 8 years old. Across a wide range of contexts, his instrument serves as an extension of his inner self, producing a deep, emotive and fluid style. Michael draws inspiration from the endless possibilities of air as an artistic medium, of breath as an expression of the human spirit.

Michael's current projects include Hamed Sadeghi's ARIA nominated groups Eishan Ensemble and Empty Voices, Matt Thomson/Alex Hirlian's Tourismo, Paul Derricott's COAST, Max Alduca's Second Sight, Avgenicos Brothers' Reduction, and his new jazz quartet, Eudaemons.

Michael has performed with many notable names in Australia including Barney McAll, Jonathan Zwartz, Sandy Evans, Mike Nock, Lloyd Swanton, Jeremy Rose, Peter Koopman, Aaron Blakey, and more.

 

Some of Michael's recent performance highlights include performances for Rome Jazz Festival and London Jazz Festival, Auckland Arts Festival, Sydney Festival, Brisbane Festival and Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

 

Aside from his artistic projects, Michael works as a freelance musician, having performed and recorded on set for The Voice Australia and Triple J's Like a Version.

 

Accolades:

Associate of Music, Australia (AmusA) Diploma 2009.

Sydney Conservatorium of Music - BMus Jazz Performance 2016. 

National Jazz Awards Saxophone Competition, Finalist - Wangaratta 2016

Big Brother Movement (BBM) award for excellence in music 2017

Best Music Award Shortlist, Sydney Fringe Festival Eishan Ensemble 2019

ARIA Award nomination - Best World Music Album Project Masnavi 2021

ARIA Award nomination - Best Jazz Album Torque 2024

National Jazz Awards Saxophone Competition, Finalist - Wangaratta 2024

Photo by Sonic Sydney

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