“I did not expect the music that came out of me to be political, to be conscious jazz. I thought I would write a beautiful lovely AABA jazz standard that could swing.I didn’t realise that I was so angry or desperate.I didn’t realise I was so opinionated.”
“Performing a live stream at Nelson Mandela’s funeral was a poignant and emotional day for the Royal Swazi Spa. My first eligible election was South Africa’s 1994, first democratic election in years and I stood in a queue with the rainbow nation and cast my vote for Madiba. I am so honoured for this band to been part of his salute.”
“As artists we need to use our gifts to make people think, to make people feel, to make people aware, to make people accountable, to invoke change. I wish to leave my imprint on this world and I wish it to have made a difference.”
The best part about programming and running the club is discovering so much incredible talent which is right here in Melbourne! The scene is constantly evolving and developing. I’m proud that we have been able to create a space for musicians to play, be it musos just starting their career, or those who have been in the scene for many years and who are re-discovering new projects! Paris Cat jazz club really does have something for everyone!
A dream team of the vibrant Melbourne Jazz Community responded to Fem Belling’s call to arms, donating their time, talent and inspiration to heal the wounds and help Wildlife Victoria in its life-saving work.
Indigenous jazz vocalist Lois Olney plays an intimate and very special show at The JazzLab with Fem Belling and the Belling band.
For DiMattina, Stella is a labour of love, and her fascination and admiration for Franklin show through.
What makes Ally Hocking Howe’s EP ‘The Feather Came First’ a great listen is not the music itself, but the promise it carries: the promise of a great composer, and a great musician, who can mover through genres and blend elements from all sorts of sources to create something new
I first met Mina Yu at a Fem Belling performance; I was instantly blown away by her playing, her crisp sound, and the way that […] Read More
Diversifying jazz and improvisation appears to be a non-issue in Australian culture. But addressing the exclusionary and harmful practices ingrained in jazz can inform the social change puzzle for other aspects of Australian culture where prejudice also prevails.
