Danica Hobden’s music is a river. Its headwater is crystal clear and fresh, inviting you to dip your toes in and feel the invigorating coolness, as it flows from its rocky source to the main stem, each chord, each note, each melodic idea a different affluent, constantly moving, collecting leaves and twigs and rocks and sediment, as it flows, hosting new life as it grows deeper.
The Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival and The University of Melbourne are proud to announce the inaugural LUMINA Composition Award. This award is open to […] Read More
Another message the festival conveyed was that while in recent years, the jazz world has lost some of the giants of jazz such as Pharoah Sanders, Wayne Shorter, Ellis Marsalis and most recently Quincy Jones, jazz is being revitalised by players such Blanchard and harpist Brandee Younger, singers such as the innovative Jazzmeia Horn and Nicole Zuraitis, and drummers like Antonio Sanchez, who following his well-timed accompaniment to the film Birdman, showcased a dynamite solo.
The classically trained Brandee Younger impressed with her technical dexterity across the harp but also with her jazz feel and strong rhythmic sense.
“The flute isn’t the most common instrument in improvised music, so as much as I have always had a strong love and interest in jazz and improvisation, it took me a while to figure out how I could fit in. You are always drawn to what you love, so one way or the other — if you stick at it and follow your instincts, it will find you!”
“It’s the Jazzmeia way, there’s no other way to describe it.”
“What I hope to bring out in jazz music as a songwriter, is still that element of storytelling and form — a good song with a hook, or a good song with a memorable melody, as opposed to a composed piece with lyrics.”
The 2024 Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival (SIWJF) will feature over 60 global and local artists across seven Sydney venues this Spring, from October 24th to November 3rd. Now in its 13th year, SIMA has championed groundbreaking artistic innovation and diversity featuring the leading women in jazz.
“We have to work on developing a sustainable and supportive model for a strong future. If we lose the gigs we lose the scene.”
“I’m not a rich man by any means, but the privilege of performing this music all around the world since my early 20s in something special and unique. I don’t take it lightly, I’m very grateful.”
