Following thousands of jazz events taking place in 195 countries around the world, International Jazz Day 2019 came to a thrilling closein Melbourne, Australia with an extraordinary All-Star Global Concert at Melbourne Arts Centre’s renowned Hamer Hall.
Author: Nikolas Fotakis
“In her tunes, Kate is the band leader; in mine, I’m the leader. We have our own musical personalities; she’s as much a musical leader as I am.”
“SUM is me, who I am as an artist and human being; it has my flaws and strength,” says drummer and composer Steve Belvilus, talking about the signature soul-jazz-RnB sound he has created.
Melbourne jazz fans rejoice – on 28 April, in line with the Jazz Day celebrations, the city will become home to the all-new, all-sparkling Jazz Roots Festival.
“I wanted to do a tribute album, but I was very clear that it is not going to be just another cover of the original album. I have always wanted to record a sweet, clean, simplified but yet intricate rendition of the Nancy Wilson/ Cannonball Adderley album.”
“It is very hard for me to put a label to my music as I think its sort of a hybrid of genres. Coming from a classical background, I know that there is the classical influence in there, there’s the folk element coming from my cultural background – both as an Armenian and Lebanese – and of course there’s also the jazz influence, the harmonies, the improvisations and the approach in the composition process.”
“When you are finding it a struggle as a woman in the jazz scene, try talking to other women about it. Look to history, to the female composers and performers who continued to pursue their dreams and rose to the top of their field despite the many difficulties they faced.”
“It’s my aim to transport each audience to a bar in Montmatre, or a scene in a Truffaut movie for a short while!”
Gaby Moreno is back in Australia, and anyone already exposed to her captivating voice and stage presence are already excited about it. Equally mesmerising whether […] Read More
Bassist and bandleader Steve Purcell shares the story of the Pearly Shells, a band that he literally dreamt about, and talks about the perennial appeal of swing music, the Melbourne music scene and his signature Belmar records ‘Altona Swamp’ sound