Devonport Jazz 2024 Artists
EMMA PASK
Award-winning vocalist Emma Pask is one of Australia’s premier jazz voices. Her captivating stage presence and powerful vocals leave audiences spellbound. Discovered by jazz legend James Morrison at 16, she toured globally with him for 20 years.
Emma’s performances evoke the classic era of jazz. She has notable achievements, including performing the bridal waltz at Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s wedding and supporting George Benson on his Australian tour. A “Mo” award winner for Jazz Vocalist of the Year, Emma has also received two ARIA nominations for Best Jazz Album in 2014 and 2016.
Emma has performed for VIPs like the late Princess Diana and Princess Mary of Denmark, opened for Kurt Elling on his 2018 Australian tour, and headlined the Havana Jazz Festival in Cuba in January 2019. During the COVID-19 lockdown in May 2020, she launched the Sydney Opera House’s live-streamed concerts, winning Time Out’s award for favorite arts livestream. In February 2021, her Big Band revived Sydney’s music scene with a sold-out show at Sunset Piazza.
Emma has toured Europe, Asia, and Australia, performing with renowned orchestras like the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. She has garnered praise globally and was lauded by Ricky Martin on The Voice Australia. Don’t miss the chance to see her live.
Emma Pask – Vocals
Kevin Hunt – Piano
Phil Stack – Double Bass
Tim Firth – Drums
BLUES POINT VOCAL GROUP
This group mixes jazz vocal harmony with a walking bass and loads of humour! A bit different and something wonderful!
The repertoire ranges from jazz standards by Irving Berlin and Gershwin through to the hits of Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Joe Cocker, Queen and Adele that have been arranged specially for the group by some of Australia’s top arrangers, Judy Bailey, Julian Lee, George Brodbeck and Bill Risby.
The group has been a favourite on the Australian jazz festival circuit for the last 20 years – Manly, Coogee, Darling Harbour, Newcastle, Jazz in the Domain Sydney Festival (to an audience of 100,000 people), Kiama, Thredbo, Clarence, Sydney A Cappella Festival, Brisbane Vocal Jazz festival 2017, Darling Harbour events, The Basement, Soup Plus, Foundry 616, NSW Art Gallery and many regional tours and corporate functions.
Lorraine Silk – Vocals
Lauren Dawes – Vocals
George Washingmachine – Vocals and Violin
Karl Dunnicliffe – Double Bass
Sam Rollings – Guitar
MAMA ALTO
Mama Alto is a jazz singer, cabaret artiste and gender transcendent diva. Her liquid velvet voice comes to the fore in stunning and beguiling interpretations that turn already rich material inside-out. Traversing smoky torch songs, sumptuous jazz ballads and luscious vocals, Mama’s repertoire holds both familiar melodies and unexpected morsels. With her soaring voice, exquisite sense of musicality and wondrously statuesque stage presence, Mama Alto continues to establish herself as one of Australia’s pre-eminent interpreters of the art of torch singing. Enigmatic, multifaceted and resplendent, her weaving of song and story, triumph and tragedy, poignancy and pathos make for an unforgettable musical experience.
“Divine.” – Tribuna de la Habana
“Virtuosic.” – San Francisco Chronicle
“Near flawless.” – The Age
“A knockout.” – Herald Sun
“Mama Alto is an exceptionally talented singer, who makes the question as to whether it is [the voice of] a woman or a man singing obsolete. It is clearly [the voice of] an angel.” – The Conversation
DOUBLE ENTENDRE
Craig Scott and Peter Locke are a rare event in music, each performing internationally in a variety of musical settings, and both considered masters of their respective crafts.
When performing together a unique connection is created that reaches audiences of all ages and genres, resulting in unexpected musical serendipities.
Double Entendre introduces modern audiences to new repertoire including originals and classic arrangements of jazz standards.
Peter Locke – Piano
Crag Scott – Double Bass
JAZZ ECLECTIC
Jazz Eclectic is excited to bring their unique sound and rhythms to Devonport Jazz 2024. Comprising of sonorous saxophones, groovin’ guitar, mesmerising tabla and punchy congas, their repertoire ranges from straight ahead jazz, through Latin styles, to reimagined rock and pop classics all tightly arranged.
Brisbane based Jazz Eclectic formed through a common desire to create music that is familiar yet intimate, while allowing for creativity and experimentation. They bring a wealth of experience, having separately performed around the world, especially in Southeast Asia.
The smooth tones and intricate yet dynamic blend of all instruments that is Jazz Eclectic will captivate and delight you.
Calvin Raison – Guitar
David Fernandez – Tablas and Congas
Katrina Fawns – Alto Sax and Flute
Trent Jordan – Tenor Sax
DELIGHTFUL DIVAS / KAYE PAYNE’S PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
You will hear all the songs from the Delightful Divas that made jazz what it is today. With commentary about the lives of the women who forged the path for women in music in general. Going as far back as Billy Holiday through to the sounds of Ella, Anita, Carman, Doris, Shirley, Eva, Aretha just to name a few. The music is soulful and the voices are delightful.
Kaye Payne, the most talked about Jazz/Blues singer in Tasmania today, is no overnight wonder. It all started with singalongs at home and a television show at the age of nine. From there Kaye dabbled in just about all the popular music styles, appearing in Brisbane and Sydney floorshows and with various rock and country bands then eventually following her passion, Jazz.
While on the cabaret scene Kaye toured with people like Chubby Checker, Des O’Conner, The Ink Spots and the Shadows.
Kaye’s influences are greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland and Bette Midler. Kaye features the music from before the 1950’s. She excels at ballads and has been classed as a “torch singer” by the Tasmanian media.
Kaye is known throughout Tasmania and the mainland for her pure voice, stage presence and her work with the arts industry. Jazz is her first love but she cannot resist the urge to perform all types of music when the opportunity arises.
Kaye Payne ‐ Vocals
Randal Muir ‐ Piano
Spike Mason – Saxophone
Bruce Innocent ‐ Drums
KING CAKE
After a little time out of the kitchen, funky jazz and blues group King Cake, have reignited the flame to cook up some fresh soul food. In addition to their usual fare, jump blues and New Orleans funk, King Cake will be delving into the rich organ jazz repertoire of the 60’s chitlin circuit.
The 1960s “chitlin circuit” hosted a diverse array of talented performers, including many iconic figures in jazz and blues music. Musicians who honed their craft in the clubs and juke joints at the time included B.B. King, Ray Charles, Muddy Waters and Jimmy Smith. You can expect to hear crossovers of Jazz, Blues and Soul.
Pete Cornelius – Guitar
Randal Muir – Hammond Organ
Beau Thomas – Drums
SOPHIE LESLIE’S NEW SONGS OF MODERN JAZZ
Join us for an unforgettable showcase of North West Tasmanian talent. Sophie Leslie and ade ishs present a captivating selection of music inspired by Esperanza Spalding, Norah Jones, Becca Stevens and Diana Krall. Sophie’s soulful interpretations will blend with vibrant jazz-funk and smooth, heartfelt melodies. This musical journey promises to enchant and inspire, highlighting the diverse and dynamic world of modern jazz while paying tribute to its roots in blues and folk. The show will feature some incredible original compositions from ade ishs and Nick Hart.
Sophie Leslie – Vocals
ade ishs – Piano
Nick Hart – Guitar
Bruce Innocent – Drums
WENDY MOLES & NICK HART
Join Wendy & Nick for an unforgettable performance, featuring a mix of jazz, blues, and timeless songs from artists like kd Lang, The Mamas and the Papas, Bonnie Raitt, Rickie Lee Jones, Queen, Leonard Cohen, and The Beatles. Nick Hart’s versatile guitarmanship pairs perfectly with Wendy’s smooth, honeyed vocals, delivering a stylish, classy, and charming show. Wendy and Nick celebrate the diversity of jazz and blues. Come see why they truly swing!
IN THE GROOVE
‘In the Groove’ is a vocal group of three guys and three gals that has been performing at special events and by invitation in the local area for many years. They principally met and discovered their love of singing in harmony together through participation in the Devonport Choral Society’s annual productions. They had intended, initially, to do just one performance, but were having so much fun they are still at it a decade later. Their repertoire ranges through most vocal styles – jazz, pop, country, folk, even some opera and classical – with a special interest in a cappella. They aim to send audiences off with a song in their hearts and a smile on the faces.
ELIZABETH COLLEGE JAZZ CUSTODIANS
The EC Jazz Custodians are a collection of year 11 and 12 students from Elizabeth College, who formed at the start of 2024. They come from many different musical backgrounds, however their shared love for jazz and improvisation unites them as they strive to keep the forces of darkness at bay with their synergistic approach.
Rudy Kelly – Drums
Alice Hardy – Bass
Red Carlyon – Guitar
Ruben Beretta-Grande – Guitar/Bass/Drums
Justin Chhetri – Trumpet/Keys
Jamie Zieserl – Trumpet
Ari Johnson – Alto Saxophone
George Willmot – Tenor Saxophone
Mitch Witek – Keys
Matilda Lewis – Vocals
RICHARD STEELE
With a reputation as one of Australia’s finest slide guitarists and blues stylists, Richard has been impressing audiences with his unique sound and approach on both acoustic and electric guitar for over 25 years.
Richard’s prowess on guitar has seen him recruited to play with artists such as Anni Piper, Ali Penny and The Money Makers, Dorothy Jane Gosper to name a few. He has been featured at many blues, folk and guitar festivals and has opened shows, both solo and with a band, for such artists as American legends, Charlie Musselwhite, John Hammond Jr, Bob Brozman and Del Ray.
Unlike many other good blues players, Richard goes beyond reproducing the familiar riffs passed down by the old bluesmen. He creates interesting and often unexpected improvisations, yet remaining true to the form, which makes his performance exciting and fresh and thoroughly entertaining.
DELORAINE BIG BAND
Deloraine Big Band and Deloraine Community Band – serving the communities of Northern Tasmania by providing opportunities for musicians of all ages, and performing a wide variety of music for the public to enjoy. Under the musical leadership of Cameron Scott, the Deloraine Big Band continues its over 30-year tradition of quality live music for their community and beyond.
