At first glance, Linda Taylor is a singer whose work can be described as a very delicate balancing act between jazz and pop; more importantly, though, she is a songwriter. One who is not afraid of vulnerability — on the contrary, she takes it and uses it as the foundation for her songs. Case in point, her EP Lexicon, an exploration of raw emotion through a series of very personal and very relatable stories. She will perform these stories at the Jazz Lab this Friday, surrounded by a group of musicians sharing her jazz sensitivity.

What would you say to a total stranger to make them come to the Jazz Lab on Friday?
I’d tell them to expect an evening of storytelling through music, blending jazz, soul, and pop into something both intimate and electrifying. This isn’t just a gig; it’s an experience — where melody, harmony and emotions collide. The Jazz Lab is the perfect space to create this connection.
What are your expectations from the audience?
From the audience, I hope for open ears, open hearts, and maybe a few new fans.
How did you choose the musicians who will play with you?
Since moving to Melbourne, I have dropped in on a few local jazz jams (shout out to the Bar 303 Yarra Banks Jam) and met many talented musicians. Adam Rudegeair’s presence was undeniably epic upon first note, and to have Adam play keys on the EP and at the Jazz Lab for the launch is a dream. Stephen Caruana is one of the most naturally intuitive and talented drummers / percussionists I have ever had the pleasure of listening to and is also one of the kindest humans, I couldn’t not work with him. I met Hadyn Murtagh for the first time in November 2023. We had never met and were booked to play a corporate voice and bass jazz gig. After playing multiple sets, improvising and playing trades throughout the gig I knew I wanted to work with Hadyn again. His ear, precision and tasteful choices make him an incredible bassist.

I reached out to Paul Blakemore to master the EP. He is an incredibly talented grammy winning audio engineer in the US as he worked with my idol – esperanza spalding. It was a dream to work with someone who’d worked with my idol and for it to have eventuated is surreal. He is a wealth of knowledge and a pleasure to work with.

What is the Lexicon backstory?
Lexicon is defined as the vocabulary of a person, language or branch of knowledge. I took this definition and applied it to my love life quite literally. Each song title on the EP is a word the definition of which encapsulates an experience I had in my dating life.
Some examples:
Friends: a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual relations. This song is about a particular love interest who was no longer interested in being romantic and wanted to remain as friends.Floccinaucinihilipilification: the habit of estimating something as worthless. Throughout my dating life I have had situationships that have left me feeling worthless and of no value to them and unworthy of love.
Compersion: the feeling of joy that comes from another person’s happiness. This song encapsulates my feeling of joy for watching someone I once loved move on and be happy in a life without me.
Flother is an english hapax legomenon and synonym for snowflake. I wrote this song about a man I dated who was icy and cold towards me when all I wanted to do was reassure and warm him love.
Etymology: the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meaning have changed throughout history. This song is about another situationship I found myself in where our definitions of commitment turned out to be vastly different and perhaps my definition outdated. I’m just an old soul.
How would you describe your sound?
I’d describe my sound as heavily influenced by my favourite iconic artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and esperanza spalding. My voice as an artist is emotional and intervallic. I love a good melody and heart felt lyric.
What has your journey in music been like so far?
It’s been a mix of serendipity and hard work. One highlight was recording Lexicon and hearing the songs come alive. The biggest challenge? Finding balance — between creating, performing, and the business side of music. It’s an ongoing process, but it’s worth it.

Why did you relocate from Sydney to Melbourne?
I relocated to Melbourne after living in Sydney for nine years. Melbourne felt like the right place to nurture my creativity. The music scene here is vibrant, collaborative, and adventurous, especially for jazz. Sydney has its strengths, but I was drawn to Melbourne’s supportive community and the diversity of its audiences. It’s a city that celebrates risk-taking and authenticity.
How did you get into jazz?
I dabbled in jazz as a teenager through an amazing vocal teacher I had growing up in Coffs Harbour but my real love of Jazz came from studying it during uni and dabbling in improvisation.
What does jazz mean to you?
Jazz is freedom. It’s the space to express, experiment, and connect in the moment. It’s a conversation — a way to say what words can’t.
Which tune best describes your current state of mind?
Of my songs, ‘Compersion’, as I feel so happy for the wonderful people in my life currently and their successes.
‘Lush Life’ by Billy Strayhorn; the meaning of the lyrics and the melody absolutely encompass what I’ve felt leading up to writing this EP.