Jazz Articles about East of West

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East of West: Velella

by Keith Flint
August 13, 2026

Blurring boundaries, dissolving distance, and creating coherence, Velella, the 4th studio album by the Brisbane, Australia trio East of West exhibits the group's distinctive style. The trio is led by Bosnian-born composer Goran Gajić (double bass), with Philip Griffin on oud and laouto, and Malindi Morris on percussion. Collectively, these musicians produce a compelling blend of Balkan-influenced rhythms and melodic motifs. Both the album and its title track derive their name from the species Velella velella (by-the-wind sailor), a ...