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.