With their latest seventh album, Nightjar, ARIA Award winners The Vampires mark a watershed in their 15-year career, making them one of Australia’s most acclaimed acts. Melding saxophone and trumpet intricate melodies and expansive groove soundscapes into their austral-facing jazz textures, they effortlessly capture the essence of their genre-hopping ethos into an immersive musical experience.

Their collaboration with The Necks’ Chris Abrahams, a natural extension of their creative journey, builds on their international critical acclaim. Critics have hailed their music as "phenomenal" (Downbeat), "a masterpiece" (The Australian), "seductive" (Jazzwise), and "a relaxed sound journey" (Jazzthetik, DE).

The Vampires’ music is a visceral experience, deeply rooted in the expansive landscapes of Australia. Their sound is a blend of influences, shaped by their admiration for The Necks and enriched by collaborations with artists including Lionel Loueke, Shannon Barnett and Dave Rodriguez (Godtet). This deep connection to their musical roots is evident in every note, showcasing their ability to merge composed and improvised parts seamlessly, creating a hypnotic flow that captivates listeners.

Supported by a rich history of performances and accolades, The Vampires have established themselves as a formidable force around the world. They have played at renowned venues and festivals including A Love Supreme Jazz Festival, Enjoy Jazz Festival and all the major festivals in Australia. Their music continues to evolve, pushing boundaries and captivating audiences with its unique blend of beautifully constructed melodies and hypnotic grooves.

Reviews for Nightjar:

"In one fell swoop, two of the strongest forces in Australian jazz, both of whose music is drenched in melodic beauty, are joined, creating what is palpably a masterpiece." ★★★★★ The Australian

"There's a seductive precision to the music" ★★★★ Jazzwise, editors choice

"Nightjar invites you on a relaxed sound journey, and those who close their eyes can easily imagine the vastness of the continent Down Under in their mind's eye." ★★★★★ Jazzthetik, DE

"The partnership between The Vampires & Abrahams sounds perfectly natural and organic and there’s a lot of mutual trust & respect from both parties. It’s only surprising that it hasn’t happened before." ★★★★ Jazzmann, UK

"enticing psychedelic immersion... ...a kind of permanent musical flow, in which each new note confirms the unique common hypnotic flow of the band, which we would like to listen only on and on. Judge for yourself." His Voice, Czech Rep.

"A captivating jazz experience, Nightjar is lit up by twinkling piano and sweet, sonorous brass." Bandcamp, new and notable

"Chris Abrahams' minimalist approach blends seamlessly into the interaction of the group while he pristine spaces with thrifty harmonic formulas and textural paint overtone layers." ★★★★ 1/2 Concerto Magazine, Austria

"It's really a great album... which I can't find fault with." Off Topic Magazine, Italy

"...ten excellently captivating songs." Nieuwe Noten, NL

"Chris Abrahams’ inclusion in the former group is about as fluent as if he was with the band at its inception." Something Else, USA

"The whole album maintains a relaxed style, not aggressive even in its improvisational moments, pulsing with melodic, journeying self- awareness." Rocking, Greece

"A doubly refined album of well-composed and stylistically convincing songs." Verhoovens Jazz, DE

"Lyrical and rhythmic tracks are in perfect balance on the album, as well as composed and improvised parts." SK Jazz, Slovakia

“In a head-bopping nod to the obvious, The Vampires play vamps. Yet, these are no ordinary vamps. Written and improvised melodies are beautiful and flawless, and the harmonies between the three voices (woodwinds, brass, bass) ring with pitch-perfect sonority. There is a sublime pacing to each of the tunes here, with strategic shifts in texture, tonality, rhythm or intensity twisting the narrative of each hypnotic groove into an ever-unfolding and irresistible arc.”

**** Gary Fukushima, Downbeat

"This is such a good album that it's difficult to know which superlatives to start with.... This is state-of-the-art modern jazz at the highest level"

****1/2  Eric Myers, The Australian

"Not only is the composing and improvising exceptional, it’s the Vampires’ best-recorded album, too.…carrying faint (and thrilling) echoes of the Art Ensemble of Chicago."

**** John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald

“Simpler nature, yet equally expressive soundscapes… reminiscent of the fusion 'milestone' Bitches Brew.”

**** Freidrich Kunzman, All About Jazz

"If jazz music is about continuously reinventing and staying on your toes, then 'The Vampires Meet Lionel Loueke' is a phenomenal jazz record by a worldly, talented, and newly minted five-piece band."

****  Chris Tart (Downbeat)

“It is gold all over. Original, melodically minimal compositions with hidden details scattered in every corner you look—covering nearly every topographic musical element and framed in a cohesive whole.”

Friedrich Kunzman, All About Jazz

“One of my favourite albums of the year was a jazz recording.. …It’s beautifully constructed melody sounded so classic, so perfect, that it had already become deeply ingrained in my memory. Of course, I have been listening to this album a lot. This one’s a real winner.”

David Faulkner, The Saturday Paper, Australian Music Prize chair

“Seductive, genre-hopping creativity: The references embrace reggae, classic Cuban son, high life, pre-electric Miles Davis and hints of Blue Note soul-jazz or Henri Texier’s cinematically scene-setting music..."

**** John Fordham, The Guardian UK

"This was the perfect summer record that pulled off the trick of being both an ambient soundtrack to life on the move while remaining capable of standing up to concentrated home listening." 

Phil Barnes, All About Jazz