Please help support the innaugural 2013 Perth International Jazz Festival by purchasing tickets to the headline concert at The Perth Concert Hall on May 25th featuring an amazing triple bill with Joe Lovano (USA), Katie Noonan (QLD) and Vince Jones (Sydney). Ellington subscribers get first notice of tickets sales that will surely sell like hotcakes at the bargain price of $80 A reserve and $60 B reserve. Get in quick and not only secure a great seat but help us secure the future for this much needed festival. Tickets available to this Australian exclusive concert here and tickets to The Ellington events here - Bishop's Gardens tickets are now on sale here
This week we welcome back Pugsley Buzzard from Sydney followed by a kickin' late show with Solomon Pitt, Eilse Lynelle and Empire before the ANZAC Day public holiday. Don't miss a fantastic weekend of shows with a Tom Waits tribute on Friday from Libby Hammer with the Blue Monk Quartet and Shameem featuring artist Phil Doncon on Saturday. Then we round off the weekend with something a little different with a show from Country Music rising music star Chelsea Basham.
MONDAY 7.00pm Song Lounge
Presented by North Street Music, Song Lounge features a selection of Australia's leading singer-songwriters together for an evening of wine, tapas and storytelling. Featuring Jay Grafton - her unadulterated passionate voice will draw you into her world as she sings to you her stories of life, love and adventure. Kate Gilbertson - her warm, fresh folk sound likens her to artists like Laura Marling, Bob Dylan and Regina Spektor with her lyrical mind and nature. Jacob Diamond - writes folk songs that are melodic and surprising. His song-writing, often with jazzy chords and structures, has kept audiences in his home town intrigued since he first took to the stage in 2009 at the delicate age of 15. And Billie Rogers - Named after Billie Holiday...its no wonder this Perth born songstress was blessed with such a soul stirring voice. Billie Rogers has lived, breathed and been enveloped by an eclectic mix of soul, reggae, blues, rock and country music since she leapt from the womb. Click here for tickets
TUESDAY 7.00pm Closed for private function
WEDNESDAY 7.00pm Pugsley Buzzard (Sydney)
Prepare to be booglarized by one of Australia`s finest consummate artists. Pugsley Buzzard has performed all over the world from the smoky jazz cellars of Berlin to downtown New Orleans the womb of the blues. Pugsley has dazzled and delighted audiences far wide with his unique blend of dark hoodoo blues, good time rollicking boogie and blazing stride style piano playing in conjunction with his huge mesmerising voice that can make the ladies sigh and grown men cry. A recipe for loads of fun. Click here for tickets
WEDNESDAY 10.30 Empire with Elise Lynelle and Solomon Pitt
Empire has established itself as one of Perth's leading young bands with a tight band sound and a high energy performance level. After former singer Ryan Thornicroft decided to take a break, Empire have continued to perform with a range of guest singers. Tonight they are joined by the soul man Solomon Pitt in an Ellington first. Tonight they are joined by two very special guest including Elise Lynelle who presents her own unique style and charisma, she carries the influences of Motown, blues and soul. She is without doubt, an exceptional natural talent with a flair for all things RnB, Soul and Funk. Elise's vocal sounds will transform and delight your senses as she takes you on a musical journey featuring a blend of classic songs, mixed with exciting new repertoire. Solomon Pitt is well know to late set enthusiasts and house a brilliantly powerful voice and soulful sound. Don't miss this chance to see this great collaboration. Click here for ticketsTHURSDAY - Closed for ANZAC DAY
FRIDAY 7.00pm Tom Waits Tribute featuring Libby Hammer and Kim Anning's Blue Monk Quartet
Step right up step right up! Kim and Libby each have an extensive Tom Waits repertoire and together have a long history of successful tribute shows. Tonight they open a small window into the vast body of work that is Wait's music. Some of these arrangements by Kim and Libby are in the Jazz genre whilst others remain relatively unscathed and are fairly true to their origin. This music will make you laugh, cry and may even evoke feelings you never knew you had. Be aware, you may find yourself dancing with Table Top Joe! Libby Hammer - Voice, Kim - Guitar/Voice, Chris Foster - Piano, Manoli Vouyoucalos - Bass and Toby Anning - Drums. Click here for tickets
FRIDAY 10.30pm Aaron Malone and THE SPREAD
Joining the Spread this week will be the hauntingly talented Aaron Malone. Coming to prominence through his work with Perth powerhouse 'Village Kid' Aaron has previously graced the Ellington stage with the full bodied, raucous experience that was 'The Roast' but most recently has been making waves with his Perth based duo 'Whiskey Winter'. If Bon Iver, James Blake and Sting broke bread this man would be the final course, with vocal talents that will chill you to the bone Mr Malone must be heard. Click here for tickets
SATURDAY 7.00pm Shameem with live artist Phil Doncon
“Some performers need the audience to listen long and carefully before anyone gets that there is something good going on. With Shameem you’d have to be locked in a lead-lined room to miss this lady’s sparkle. Her charisma and sheer energy on stage command attention and the listener is rewarded with a swinging, soulful sound – this is what jazz is all about.” – James Morrison, Australian jazz virtuoso. Shameem was kept busy during 2011 with touring in her home state of Western Australia and a song writing collaboration in the UK with a Grammy-winning producer James Bryan (Nelly Furtado). In 2012, fresh off the release of her self-titled debut album, she has had a whirlwind performance schedule: supporting such artists as Ronan Keating and Belinda Carlisle before audiences in the thousands and undertaking a successful national headlining tour. She has been invited to perform at Toronto’s NXNE Festival 2012, Fuse Festival 2012, WAMi Festival 2012 and Canadian Music Week 2013. Click here for tickets
SATURDAY 10.30pm Late night groove series featuring Jade Crompton
Jade–Lori Crompton, daughter of Stax recording artist C L Blast's (known for his work on songs such as; Buster Brown's "Fannie Mae"; Don Gardner/Dee Dee Ford's "I Need Your Lovin'", Gladys Knight's "You Broke Your Promise" and the (fantastic) "Valerie" by Jackie & The Starlites). Her voice is said to be coloured by heartfelt Gospel tones, syrup smooth R&B, and playful melodies reminiscent of childhood Jazz influences. With a fusion of angelic melodies and sassy vocals this singer leaves her audience captured. The late night session will be an opportunity to discover the talent of local song bird Jade-Lori. Click here for tickets
SUNDAY 3.00pm Dare to Live - Sonja D'anne Vocal Studio
The Sonja D'anne Vocal Studio artists are headed away on a BUSKING tour in July and are happy to perform some of their tunes for you in their upcoming acoustic show. The tunes cover many decades of music, many genres and many emotions. Come on down and watch Alana Porter, Ellena Stacey, Julius Lutero, Megan Emslie, MJ, Rebecca Ella, Samuel Joseph Alexander and Sonja D'anne as they bring you another enjoyable Sunday afternoon session at the Ellington. Click here for tickets
SUNDAY 5.30pm Chelsea Basham
Chelsea Basham’s brilliant debut album ‘I Make My Own Sunshine’ has critics raving and country fans adopting this WA native. Since its release in August it has spawned three hit singles and two #1 videos on Country Music Channel (CMC). Music critic Bernard Zuel described Chelsea’s album as “genuinely soulful country” in Sydney’s Sun Herald and Melbourne’s The Age. Brisbane’s Courier Mail proclaimed “Basham has talent and a mellow soulful voice somewhere between Trisha Yearwood and The Dixie Chick’s Natalie Maines”. In January this year Chelsea was awarded the Golden Guitar for ‘Best New Talent of the Year’ at the CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia. She’s also a finalist in the upcoming 2013 CMC Music Awards and the 2013 APRA Professional Development Award which was won by Gotye in 2009. Chelsea Basham melds country traditions with broader influences. She’s bright and upbeat, a songwriter of merit, an artist of substance and an engaging live performer. She’s appeared at major events such as The Gympie Muster, The CMAA Country Music Awards and CMC Rocks The Hunter and returns home to WA for her first shows since the celebrated release of her debut album. Click here for tickets
MONDAY 29th April 7.00pm Chamber Jam
Chamber Jam @ The Ellington is a night of chamber music in Perth like no other. Join some of Australia’s leading musicians in three outstanding ensembles performing in one of Perth’s most intimate live music venues. Featuring Jonathan Fitzgerald - classical guitar, Spirit and the Maiden Piano Trio Kylie Liang (violin), Louise McKay (cello), Irina Vasileva (piano) and Trombone Choir - A number of trombones, all shapes and sizes! Click here for ticketsComing soon:
May 1st Juliana Areias voice and Doug De Vries Trio (Melbourne)May 6th Eamon Dilworth (Sydney)
May 9th Natalie Dietz (NYC)
May 17th & 18th Christine Anu presents REWIND - The Aretha Franklin Songbook
May 24th Brandon Allen (UK)
May 24th Sam Anning Quintet (NYC)
May 25th Abbey|Foster|Falle (USA/Aus)
May 25th Void (USA/Aus)
May 26th The Grid (USA/Aus)
May 26th Vince Jones (Sydney)
May 26th Kneebody (USA)
June 23rd Sarah McLeod 6.30pm & 8.30pm
July 5th Grace Knight (Melbourne)
