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| NHM NEWSLETTER – JULY 2009 |
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And all that Jazz!
Part I
Jazz has played a huge part of my working life with NHM and for good reason. Jazz is a such a versatile genre - there's a style of jazz to suit almost every occasion. We have musical groups suitable for those client cocktail events right through to the get down and groove occasions and everything in between. This months e-newsletter focuses on the superb female jazz talent that Australia has to offer. We feature the beautiful vocal styling of Kirsten Allison, the funky sounds of Eon Beats, the fabulous fabulous talent that is Emma Pask and much more.
Stay tuned for 'And all that Jazz!' Part II next month where we will be featuring the wonderful male talent that is available.
Enjoy!
Bethanie & the NHM Team
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| And all that Jazz ... |
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Emma Pask
The greatest gift to Australian Jazz Vocals in the last decade is how James Morrison, Australia’s most awarded jazzman, describes Emma Pask.
Her talent was spotted by James Morrison during one of his regular visits to high schools when she was just 16. She first sang with his band that night and has been touring with Morrison around Australia and overseas, ever since. While Emma’s voice and style are unique, and individually her own, her performances are reminiscent of the classic era of jazz, when swing was top of the charts.
Despite her achievements and the international recognition of her talent, Emma retains her natural, refreshing and unpretentious, positive approach to life.
James Morrison says “Whilst it’s fashionable to be a jazz singer these days, she’s the real thing!
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Kirsten Allison
Set the ideal mood as Kirsten's rich vocal style blends effortlessly with other jazz sounds of piano or guitar and double bass with the option of drums and saxophone. Fresh from her popular performances throughout Europe, the UK, Japan and Dubai, Kirsten is a highly sought-after performer. Kirsten's band draws on the finest local musicians. Dine then dance as the repertoire moves from jazz and Latin to funk and pop.
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Catherine Hunter
“…the beguiling voice of Catherine Hunter…surely on the verge of stardom.”
John Shand - The Sydney Morning Herald
“…there are a lot of singers out there the thing that makes Catherine special is that she’s unmistakably jazz…”
James Morrison
Catherine Hunter is one of the most captivating voices and performers in Australian jazz today. As a freelance artist, Catherine is in hot demand for corporate work and performs regularly as a featured guest with John Morrison’s Swing City, 18-piece big band, the Sydney All-stars and George WashingMachine
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Breakfast at Tiffany's
If you are after something a little more intimate then Breakfast at Tiffany's is sure to set the mood.
Breakfast at Tiffany's is a new collaboration between veteran musician Gavin Libotte and jazz singer Niyati Parikh. Niyati has sung at numerous venues including the caves and boulevards of France's underground Jazz haunts. Together they bring you a mix of soft, romantic music with plenty of ambience and a touch of class.
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| Rising Young Star! |
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Briana Cowlishaw - 'Shooting the Breeze'
Watch out for this rising young star!
After completing her Bachelor of Music at the Australia Institute of Music 2008, Briana Cowlishaw has already begun to make her mark on the Sydney scene, performing around town with some of Sydney’s best musicians such as Nic Cecire, James Muller, Phil Stack, Tim Firth, Matt Baker, Bill Risby and Victor Rounds.
Inspired by the sound of Joni Mitchell, Carmen McRae, Esperanza Spalding and the linear approach of Miles Davis, Briana explores the limits of Jazz, Latin and Funk in a number of different musical projects, including her quartet ‘Shooting the Breeze’.
Quickly being spotted for her unique sound and creativity, Briana was recently selected as 1 of 6 vocalists across Australia to compete in the Generations in Jazz Vocal Scholarship, May 2009.
Her performances to date include playing as a warm up act for Thirsty Merc at the Molong Music Festival, signing the National Anthem at the Royal Easter Show 08 and performing at the NRL Grand Final with cover band ‘As Long As It Grooves’ 08.
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| Funky Jazz Tunes! |
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Eon Beats
Now, for the downright funky - you can't go past the very soulful vocals of Evelyn Duprais and Eon Beats.
The finest in dancefloor jazz, super soulful rhythms and futuristic heavyweight funk. Featuring Rick Robertson, saxophonist from d.i.g, the beats of Ian Mussington and the ever inventive keyboard wizard Gerard Masters.
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| Life as a Performer |
Emma Pask - Jazz Singer
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How would you describe yourself?
Not shy. Pretty easy to get along with. And I love to have a laugh.
What are your favourite pastimes off-stage?
I love watching films, catching up with friends, walking my gorgeous beagle Chester and ... great restaurants.
You've split your time between Sydney and New York recently. What do you get up to over there?
I am hanging out with friends, having a little sing here and there, trying not to eat too much pizza. It's a fun city.
Have you ever had a run in with a microphone?
Mid-song, I was trying to lower the mic stand when it collapsed suddenly taking a chunk of my hand with it, right between my thumb and first finger. Got the scar to prove it!
Have you ever had a awkward moment on stage?
Yes. I was performing on stage at an outdoor gig by the river. A duet. I was singing, James Morrison was playing piano. We'd chosen a slow, romantic ballad, we were only a few bars in to the piece when I took a deep breath in and managed to inhale a huge moth. I had quite a large choking fit, but did manage eventually to pull myself together and finish the piece.
What initially attracted you to jazz and how did you develop your vocal style?
I always loved the music that my parents played around the house - a lot of big band with Frank Sinatra, lots of Ella, Billie, Sarah, Louis ... As a teenager I was always listening to fabulous singers and trying to emulate them all. Eventually, of course, the more you sing the more you develop your own style and sound. I'm continually learning about my voice and where I can take it.
What do you struggle with?
Late night gigs followed by early morning lobby calls.
After 15 years of performing with James Morrison, can you envisage a time when you're not playing regularly with him?
We like to joke about shuffling onto the stage together in our old age, people having to drag us off stage - "No wait, let us do one more for old time's sake!"
Emma will be performing 'A Tribute to Ella & Louis' with Dan Barnett and his Big Band on Saturday 31 October as part of the Twilight Concert in the Parks series. For more information please visit www.kmc.nsw.gov.au/twilight
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NHM Entertainment | W. nhmentertainment.com.au | E. info@nhmentertainment.com.au | P. +61 2 9488 0555 | F. +61 2 9488 0588
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