WHEN classical and jazz musicians Callum Moncrieff and Callum G'Froerer were both studying at WAAPA, they often found themselves at the centre of a comedy of errors.
“We would always get mixed-up - I would get phone calls from someone high up in the scene saying I should be in the recording studio, for example, and 'where was I?'” Moncrieff laughed.
“So that was the beginning of our relationship.”
Fast-forward six years and the pair are launching a new duet aptly dubbed Cal Squared, with Moncrieff, 31, on vibraphone and percussion, and G'Froerer, 23, on trumpet.
“There aren't any other trumpet and vibraphone duets (in Perth) and the combination of the instruments is just so beautiful,” Moncrieff said.
“We also commission new music from local and national composers because that's one of the greatest things that we as musicians can do: create new works and art.
“New music furthers and continues the genre and the corpus of what is out there.”
Moncrieff - who is currently on the on the board for WA Music (WAM) and Musica Viva - opted to continue with the vibraphone once he finished up at WAAPA for various reasons.
“Unless you got a million dollars, you can't really continue with every instrument you learn so I made a decision to buy a vibraphone, which was about $10,000; a good price range to start at,” he said.
“It's not as personal as a saxophone or trumpet where you're really physically connected, but 'Vibey' and I make a good team.”
Moncrieff has resigned from his position as general manager at the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (his tenure ends in December) to pursue his music full-time, and he's equally daunted and excited.
“I've been in arts management for seven years so financially, it's a big risk, but I just had to have a crack.”
Cal Squared performs in the foyer of the new Central Institute of Technology, Northbridge, on October 14 at 7pm. Tickets at the door.
Emilia Vranjes