Today's International Women's Day and on ABC Jazz, we're talking artists of note throughout the day on-air. Here are five current talents to keep an ear out for this year.
1. Zela Margossian
Pianist Zela Margossian blew us away with her debut record Transition a few years back. Originally from Lebanon and with strong ties to Armenia, the pianist relocated to Australia to study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. There, she honed her jazz chops while also drawing on her middle eastern heritage to inform her playing. Zela will be recording a new series of compositions alongside fellow Sydney-sider Jeremy Rose later this year as part of the ABC's Fresh Start Fund - so stay tuned for that!
Loading...2. Vanessa Perica
You may have caught the MSO's live stream a few weeks back - showcasing the premier of Vanessa Perica's new work 'Love Is A Temporary Madness.' The Melbourne-based composer dropped one of the highlight releases of 2020 with the studio version of that epic suite - and it's certainly left us contemplating what's next from the multi-award winning musician.
Loading...3. Ellen Kirkwood
Here's a preview of another local great again in the big band vein. We first heard Ellen Kirkwood's '[A]part' performed at the Freedman Jazz Fellowship a few years back and it was nothing short of amazing! Ellen does what great artists do best: reflect on and draw attention to the issues of our time. She does it expertly through the medium of music - capturing the listener's attention with songs that are evocative and thought-provoking. Her 4-part suite has since been released on CD and you can hear a sample below:
Loading...4. Sophie Min
One of Brisbane's leading pianists is Sophie Min and she too has been dabbling with writing for large ensembles. Her latest record showcased not only her skill behind the keyboard, but also her ability to write for large ensembles. Entitled Bellwether, the genre-bending release showcases Min's introspective numbers fleshed out with everything from vocals to electronics to a string quartet and is a true testament to her skills as both a performer and composer. Aside from big bands, she's also had a great duo project going with the venerable James Sherlock - some of which you can hear below:
Loading...5. AURA
Here's a fresh new record that just landed in our inbox from four leading Aussies who teamed up in Canada. Flora Carbo, Audrey Powne, Helen Svoboda and Kyrie Anderson have all been on our radar recently as solo performers but they've teamed up to form a real powerhouse quartet, building on their experiences studying under drummer Tyshawn Sorey and pianist Vijay Iyer at the Banff Centre. Hear them for yourself from the new self-titled release AURA.
Loading...All tracks featured by presenter Megan Burslem on Mornings.