SOLD OUT! Latin Jazz Opening Night Party feat. ALLY + Caribé AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE
Fri, October 30 Fri, OF MUSIC, 6PM – 10PM
Saxophonist and composer, Gai Bryant has earnt a reputation as a Queen of Latin Jazz. She is fascinated with all the rhythms that make us move, particularly those blending Cuban, Peruvian and Afro-Caribbean influences. Gai brings together musicians, dancers and communities across Sydney. Gai’s projects are brought to life by her passionate arrangements which integrate ALLY traditional dance and song with a modern jazz aesthetic. Irresistible performances Gai Bryant (saxophone) Eamon by her Afro-Peruvian sextet ALLY will open Dilworth (trumpet) Jonathan Cohen celebrations, before her big band, Caribé, (piano) Stan Valacos (bass) Steve Marin (percussion) Georgio Rojas will tear down the house in a visual and (percussion) Dai Moret (spoken word) aural display. Vivid and frenetic, it will be Melody Riviera (vocals) impossible to walk away from this event Caribe without a smile on your face.
Adrian Medira (dancer) Gai Bryant (saxophones) Julian Gough (saxophones) Lee McIver (trumpet) Danny Carmichael (trombone) Ed Goyer (piano) Nick Henderson (bass) Check out this video Tono Marquez (percussion) Giorgio Rojas (percussion) Steven Marin (percussion) And this one, too SOLD OUT! Zela Margossian Quintet VENUE 505, 8:30PM
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WANGARATTA FESTIVAL OF JAZZ Sat, Oct 31 AND BLUES
Zela Margossian is a rare gem of Australian jazz, classical and multi-cultural music. Margossian has lived and studied all over the world, and in turn has soaked up many flavours during her training in classical and jazz piano. Her ARIA-nominated LP ‘Transitions’ speaks to that itinerant history - combing ethnic melodies and percussion of her native Armenia with the improvisational attitude of contemporary jazz. This talented piano player grew up in modern Lebanon during the civil war, studying at the Lebanese Higher State Conservatory before returning to her ancestral home in Yerevan to finish a Master’s degree in Piano Performance at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory. Zela Margossian’s debut release was Zela Margossian (piano) Stuart favourably reviewed by DownBeat Vandegraaff(saxophones, clarinet, Magazine, and received a four-star notice flute, Arabic nãys) Adem Yilmaz from the UK’s Jazzwise. Zela appears (percussion) Jacques Emery (double regularly on SIMA stages, and is an bass) Alexander Inman-Hislop (drums) audience favourite. Come and immerse yourself in the rich polyrhythms, melodies and flavours of Zela Margossian and her accomplished Quintet. Book now!
Emma Pask MARY’S UNDERGROUND,
Sat, October 31 6PM + 9PM
Award-winning artist Emma Pask has established herself as one of Australia’s favourite jazz vocalists. Showcasing expert versatility, Emma can swing through jazz standards, ride Latin rhythms or pour her heart into tender ballads. Discovered at just 16 years of age, Emma’s long and decorated career has seen her perform at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London with the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and support 70’s disco and funk legend George Benson. Emma is always surrounded by the cream of Australian jazz, and these intimate festival Emma Pask (vocals) Kevin Hunt performances are no different. (piano) Phil Stack (double bass) Tim Firth (drums)
SHOW ONE: Doors: 6pm/Set One (6.30pm-7pm), Set Two (7.30pm-8.10pm) SHOW TWO: Doors: 9pm/Set One (9.30pm-10pm), Set Two (10.30pm-11.10pm)
Check out this video Book now!
Elysian Fields, FIKA Album Launch with special support by Jo Truman MARY’S UNDERGROUND, Sun, Nov 01 Sun, Nov 6PM + 9PM
‘FIKA’ is the new album by electric viola da gamba ensemble Elysian Fields. Inspired by Scandinavia, FIKA is rooted in the Swedish ancestry of Artistic Director Jenny Eriksson, and her love of northern European jazz and Swedish baroque music. This beautiful international project sings to the gathering of friends, food and conversation through the prism of the idiosyncratic seven-stringed viola de gamba. Produced by saxophonist Matt Keegan and featuring the stunning vocals and violin of Susie Bishop, ‘FIKA’ takes inspiration from the frozen landscapes of Scandinavia, drawing on traditional folk music and language. Beautiful arrangements by multi award-winning jazz pianist Matt McMahon will be presented alongside the Australian premiere of ‘Living’ by Norwegian jazz pianist Jan Gunnar Hoff and ‘Believe Beleft Below’ by influential Swedish jazz trio E.S.T. Special support: Jo Truman Josephine Truman is an artist who skirts the boundary of tradition and experimentation. Her cross-pollination of traditional and experimental performance styles caught the ear of legendary composer, theorist and artist John Cage, with whom she collaborated on ‘Song Books’. Fans of music that tests the edges of improvisation and experimentation will love Jo Truman’s performance as part of Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival. Jo Truman (piano)
Elysian Fields
Jenny Eriksson (Ruby electric viola da ga gamba) Susie Bishop (voice/violin) Matt Keegan (saxophones) Matt McMahon Check out this video (Piano) Siebe Pogson (Bass guitar) Dave Goodman (drums) And this one, too Anna Setton direct from São Paulo
Mon, Nov 02 Nov Mon, FREE ONLINE EVENT, 8PM
A 2019 festival favorite, this Brazilian singer/ guitarist is a born samba, MPB and choro performer. Her style evokes the classics of the bossa nova tradition of greats Gilberto, Jobim and Menescal. This beautiful São Paulo native modernises the rich history of Brazilian music, sharing the stage with peers like João Bosco and Toquinho. Imagine a gossamer curtain falling around floating chords from a nylon string guitar, and you approach the tone of Setton’s hypnotic vocals. Setton has performed around the world in iconic theatres and jazz festivals like Parco Della Musica (Rome), Theatre Grec Anna Setton (nylon string guitar/ (Barcelona), San Javier (Spain) and Brazilian vocals) Summer Fest (New York). A special festival exclusive not to be missed!
Stream online Celebrating Sandy Evans: ‘Ahimsa: Meditations on Gandhi’ FREE DIGITAL
Tue, Nov 03 Nov Tue, SCREENING, 8PM
This special screening features the premiere performance of Ahimsa, shot at SIMA at the Sound Lounge in 2019. Join Australia’s leading jazz and Indian musicians for an entrancing evening of spectacular inter- cultral music. Ahimsa reflects on Gandhi’s writings on Sandy Evans (tenor, soprano non-violence showcasing the inspirational saxophone, composer, musical director) Sarangan Sriranganathan Sarangan Sriranganthan and the brilliant (sitar, vocals) Bobby Singh (tabla) Brett Bobby Singh in an innovative, contemporary Hirst (bass) Alon Ilsar (airsticks, drums) context with the inventor of the airsticks Alon Martin Fox (videographer) Guy Ilsar. The program features excerpts from Dickerson (sound engineer: live) Peter Gandhi’s writings translated into Sanskrit by Nelson (sound engineer: recorded) Chris Whiteman and Vasudevaycharya.
Stream online Book now! Elana Stone Band with special support by INÊS MARY’S UNDERGROUND, Wed, Nov 04 Nov Wed, 6PM + 9PM
Singer/songwriter Elana Stone is an ARIA Award-winning vocalist and songwriter whose style combines instrumental invention with quirk, and inclines to write pop that is by turns exultant and introspective. If Ella Fitzgerald met Dirty Projectors and Joni Mitchell, you’d have an idea of how Elana’s band projects might sound, but you’d be missing the country and folk influences. A National Jazz Award-winning vocalist, Elana also performs as part of All Our Exes Live In Texas, and appears as a member of Missy Higgins’ band and the John Butler Trio. Reforming the band for a festival exclusive, Elana will dive into her back catalogue and deliver free-range music that traverses jazz, folk, modern electronica, indie pop and balladry, underpinned by Stone’s signature lyrical vulnerability and ear for melody. Check out this video
Special support: INÊS Born in Portugal, Inês Vaz de Sousa grew up practising ballet and saxophone. Singing became an obsession after an unexpected opportunity pushed her onto the stage, compelling her to expand her repertoire to funk, soul, big band, swing and improvised jazz. Inês was soon performing across Sydney, and to broaden her horizons, Inês moved between New York and Sydney — an experience that brought a contemporary melting pot of influences to her live performances. Expect a fiery mixture of style from some of Sydney’s classiest young instrumentalists, fronted with flash and sensuality by Inês. Check out this video
Elana Stone Band INÊS
Elana Stone (vocals) Aaron Flower (guitar/ Inês Vaz de Sousa (vocals) Godriguez vocals) Zoe Hauptmann (electric bass/ (guitar) Andrew Bruce (piano/keys) Jan vocals) Evan Mannell (drums/vocals) Bangma (bass) Miles Thomas (drums) Book now! Festival double bill: Hilary Geddes Quartet + Jodie Michael Trio Wed, Nov 04 Nov Wed, FOUNDRY616 8.30PM + 10PM
Hilary Geddes Quartet: Winner of the Jann Rutherford Memorial Award in 2019, Hilary Geddes is a talented guitarist with a split personality - half of her musical life is spent making contemporary jazz and improvised music, and half is spent in the popular indie band ‘The Buoys’. Graduating from Sydney Conservatorium of Music with First Class Honours, studying under luminaries Carl Dewhurst and James Muller, Hilary then spent a year abroad studying with esteemed guitarist Andreas Wahl at the Hochschule für Künste in Germany. As a jazz guitarist, Hilary has become an in-demand collaborator with the likes of Barney McAll and Mike Nock, while The Buoys are regularly featured on Triple J and on the Australian festival circuit. A truly modern, exceptional talent who will lead contemporary music in the direction she wants to see it go.
Jodie Michael’s Organ Situation: Drummer Jodie Michael started her musical journey at just thirteen years of age, before attending SIMA’s improvisational workshops for young women. Winner of the Jann Rutherford Memorial Award in 2013, Jodie gained experience playing in jazz ensembles at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music, where she earned multiple scholarships. After touring the USA with the Wollongong Con Jazz Orchestra, she immersed herself in the US jazz scene, playing with world-class drummers like Michael Carvin, Eric Harland and Kenny Washington going on to study in the Global Jazz Master’s program at Berklee College of Music. Jodie promises to bring her fluid sense of rhythm for this double bill not to be missed. Check out this video
Hilary Geddes Quartet Jodie Michael’s Organ Situation
Hilary Geddes (guitar) Matt Harris (piano) Jodie Michael (drums) Nish Manjunath Max Alduca (bass) Alexander Inman-Hislop (tenor saxophone) Steve Barry (organ) (drums) Book now!
Monica Trapaga + The Pocket Trio with special support by Tessie Overmyer Trio MARY’S UNDERGROUND,
Thu, Nov 05 Nov Thu, 6PM + 9PM
Monica Trapaga is a consummate performer. Her warm and witty approach has been instrumental in her success as a jazz singer and entertainer, where she has featured at major festivals across the world. She has described her “fairly crazy Latin family” as instrumental in her developing her musical taste, citing her father’s love of Afro-Cuban jazz as an influence as she rose to fame in the 90’s with her popular outfit Monica and the Moochers. She has worked extensively as an actor on Australian TV and is the current presenter of The Dinner Set on ABC Jazz. A born entertainer, Monica promises to delight audiences. Her latest venture, featuring this high-energy classic piano trio, evokes feel good jazz with tight arrangements and groovy pockets. Special Support: Tessie Overmyer Trio Emerging saxophonist Tessie Overmyer brings a soulful, late-night feel to her approach. A strong sense of melody permeates Overmyer’s compositions, with a maturity to her playing and phrasing that belies her youth. At just 19 years old, Tessie earned a spot playing at the famous Newport Jazz Festival (2018). We’re thrilled to see her arrival at this years’ Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival!
Monica Trapaga + The Pocket Trio Tessie Overmyer Trio
Monica Trapaga (vocals) Andrew Scott (piano) Tessie Overmyer (alto saxophone) Harley Max Alduca (bass) Tim Geldens (drums) Coleman (guitar) Harry Birch (bass) Book now!
Alice Terry Big Band FOUNDRY616,
Thu, Nov 05 Nov Thu, 7.30PM + 9.30PM
Dubbed ‘Sydney’s first lady of blues’, Alice Terry has the kind of voice you can’t ignore. Powerful and emotive, gritty and intense, Alice Terry’s vocals evoke classic singers like Janis Joplin - the kind of singers who leave it all out on the stage. Alice began singing the blues at seventeen, quickly being booked for gigs like Narooma Blues, Thredbo Blues and Moruya Jazz Festivals. She released her debut single ‘Emotion’ and debut LP ‘The Fear Of’ in 2018, both of which immediately charted in the top five of the iTunes blues charts. In the wake of great notices for her debut, Alice Terry (vocals) Harry Sutherland Terry has supported acts like Allen Stone, (piano) Mike Raper (trombone) James Beth Hart, Matt Corby, The Waifs and Thirsty Loughnan (saxophone) Simon Ferenci Merc, and continues to tour with Matt Corby (trumpet) Phil Stack (bass) Carlos as part of his band. Each of the acts above Adura (drums) contain elements of a mixture of styles Terry calls her own - folk, country and blues stewed together to create an individual feel. American blues singer and Grammy nominee Beth Hart described Alice Terry as ‘the real deal’, and we agree. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this scalding hot vocal talent live with her all-star big band. Book now!
Mahalia Barnes & the Soulmates with special support by Joy Yates and Dave MacRae MARY’S UNDERGROUND Fri, Nov 06 Nov Fri, 6PM + 9PM
The daughter of one of Australia’s most famous rock vocalists, Jimmy Barnes, Mahalia Barnes started her career as a child star vocalist with her sibling band. Growing up in the rough and tumble of the rock music industry, Mahalia has experienced it all. She’s recorded on her father’s albums since the age of eight, and since then, Mahalia has worked as a lead singer for her own band, and as a backing singer for soul and RnB artists like Johnny Diesel and her father. Mahalia performed on the first season of the Australian version of The Voice, covering the Tina Turner standard ‘Proud Mary’, and that fiery, soulful energy is a good example of her style. Expect energy, brooding soul, and live intensity from this veteran of Australian music, backed by a rock-steady trio. Check out this video
Special support: Joy Yates and Dave MacRae Joy Yates is a proud New Zealander of Maori heritage, and a lifelong jazz singer who has shared stages with artists like Neil Sedaka, Cat Stevens, Cliff Richard, Chaka Khan, and Van Morrison.
Dave MacRae is a legendary jazz musician, brilliant pianist, producer, composer and arranger with outstanding jazz credentials. These two artists are a lifelong couple, supremely talented and cherished legends of Australian jazz.
Mahalia Barnes & the Soulmates Joy Yates and Dave MacRae
Mahalia Barnes (vocals) Ben Rogers (bass) Franco Joy Yates (vocals) Dave Macrae (piano) Raggatt (guitar) Evan Mannell (drums) Book now!
Pharos plays the music of Sandy Evans MARY’S UNDERGROUND,
Sat, Nov 07 Sat, Nov 6PM + 9PM
Pharos is a ten-member powerhouse big band formed in 2016, and led by bassist Hannah James. Featuring a six-piece horn section, this unique and electrifying collective merge the best of the big band with the flexibility, creativity and genre-bending exploration expected in any modern ensemble. In the short life span of the group, Pharos has worked with an incredible list of local and international artists like Lakecia Benjamin (USA), Helen Sung (USA), Ingrid and Christine Jensen (USA/Canada) and Silke Eberhardt (Ger). In 2020, the festival Artist-In-Residence is esteemed multi award-winning saxophonist and composer, Dr Sandy Evans. In a world premiere, Pharos will perform a new work commissioned especially for the festival, before performing exclusive repertoire composed and arranged by Sandy.
Check out this video
Hannah James (bass) Louise Horwood (trumpet) Ellen Kirkwood (trumpet) Alex Silver (trombone) Loretta Palmeiro (alto/sop/clarinet) Laura Corney (tenor) Kali Gillen (baritone) Hilary Geddes (guitar) Zela Margossian (piano) Ali Foster (drums) Book now!
Lilith Night with special guest Miriam Lieberman and special support by Kenya Wilkins
Sat, Nov 07 Sat, Nov FOUNDRY616, 8:30PM
Lilith Night is an international celebration of diverse female composer- performers, across a dizzying range of genres. A network of women music- makers and culture creators, directed by Australian musician Maryanne Piper, Lilith Night will feature the global fusion of sounds created by vocalist and kora player, Miriam Lieberman. The ensemble will perform compositions from international composers Sunna Gunnlaugs (Iceland), Christina Fuchs (Ger) Elisa Thorn (Canada) and Eve Beglarian (US-Armenian) and Australian composers Jenna Cave, Harri Harding and Sian Lindsay.
Special support: Kenya Wilkins Solo Piano Album Launch Kenya Wilkins will launch her third solo piano album “So What Bach” a series of jams on JS Bach classics. The “so what” chord consists of three perfect fourth intervals followed by a major third interval. It originates from Bill Evans’ piano “amen” response to the head of Miles Davis’ tune “So What”.
Keyna Wilkins is a pioneering Australian/British composer-musician, solo-artist and leader of cutting-edge ensembles. Her music has been described as arresting and genre-blurring. She was one of three finalists in the Australian nation-wide APRA AMCOS Art Music Awards for Individual Excellence 2018. Her compositions are performed internationally and published by Wirripang.
Maryanne Piper (clarinetist), Kenya Wilkins (piano), Rachel Drubetsky (trumpeter), Chloe Kim (drums) and special guest, Miriam Lieberman (vocals and kora). Postcards from the 2020 Anthropocene Album Launch
Sat, Nov 07 Sat, Nov FREE ONLINE EVENT
In December 2019, Sydney was enveloped in a thick blanket of smoky haze. It was on one of the worst days for bushfire smoke that Sandy, Adam and Hamish recorded this series of improvisations at UNSW reflecting on photographs they had taken during the preceding period of crisis and devastation. This music is offered as a protest against environmental destruction and climate change. The themes Mirage, Embers, Inferno, Skyline, Resistance and Aftermath inform these improvisations and reflections. The results are stunning - traversing ambient soundscapes, spacious grooves, troubled cries, dissonances resolution, surprise, peaceful reflection and even humour. It is not often that a project can genuinely speak of ‘original sounds’ but this is one such project. The project was an extension of a concert that had been presented by Mark Hall of Eupcaccia Records at Dee Why’s Halfback Books. The combination of modular synthesiser, saxophone and drums worked beautifully and Mark encouraged the musicians to record this album.
Stream live
Sandy Evans (tenor and soprano saxophones, suling, flax)Hamish Stuart (drums), Adam Hulbert (eurorack modular synthesiser with theremin and wind controller) Simon Trevaks (recording engineer) Rodrigo Barbosa (Mixing engineer) Mark Hall (executive producer and mastering engineer) Book now! Magic Music: Evans/ Elphick/ Odamura
Sun, Nov 08 Sun, Nov VENUE 505, 3PM + 5.30PM
Closing the festival, this special event features the talents of our 2020 Artist- in-Residence, Dr Sandy Evans OAM, alongside long-time collaborators Satsuki Odamura and Steve Elphick. The project brings together three musicians whose inventiveness, musicality, sensitivity and responsiveness will open doors to magical musical places. A trail-blazer for women in contemporary music, internationally renowned composer and saxophonist Sandy, has a passion for improvisation and new music. She has played with and written for some of the most important groups in Australian jazz since the early 1980’s, and leads the Sandy Evans Trio and Sextet, and co-leads Clarion Fracture Zone and GEST8. Her work and research in intercultural music has led to international recognition. Sandy recently won the Jazz Performance of the Year at the APRA AMCOS Art Music Awards for her international collaboration Bridge of Dreams featuring Shubha Mudgal, Aneesh Pradhan, Sudhir Nayak and Sirens Big Band. Satsuki Odamura is a master of the koto and shamisen. She has pioneered awareness of these ancient Japanese instruments in her performances throughout Australia. Satsuki began playing Koto at ten years old, and joined the Sawai Koto School of Music in Tokyo when she was eighteen. She has since collaborated with a wide variety of artists across a range of genres, from jazz, to Western classical, to modern, and Aboriginal music. ARIA winning bassist Steve Elphick has provided the backbone for artists like Roger Frampton and The Engine Room and Mark Simmonds. He came from singing in the church choir to playing bass, and has grown into one of Australia’s most in-demand bass players across a range of genres. A spectacular festival finale to conjure a sense of peace, uplift our spirits and enrich the soul.
Sandy Evans (saxophone) Steve Elphick (bass) Satsuki Odamura (koto) Sponsors
MAJOR PARTNERS
SUPPORTING PARTNERS
VENUE PARTNERS