Jazz Junction Live for May: "VELVET" with Damian Evans The next Jazz Junction Live is on Sunday, 18 May from 3pm to 6pm and “Velvet” will be performing. We welcome back Damian Evans (electric upright bass) and band leader, Lauren Wilms (vocals), Melanie Evans (saxophone), Dave Biggin (guitar) and Anthony Stanislavski (drums). This Jazz Junction Live will be our First Birthday as the first Jazz Junction Live was held in May 2007 when the Wagga Jazz Quartet played. Anyone who was lucky enough to be at Velvet’s debut gig at Jazz Junction back in July 2007 witnessed a magical first performance by some of Wagga’s most talented musicians. Velvet is a must see for all ages. The band was extremely popular at last year’s jazz festival with much of the audience having to listen from the hallways as performances were all packed out. Velvet is smooth, liquid, beautiful and soulful with a jazzy, laid back feel. The amazing vocals of Lauren Wilms are truly uplifting. She is able to deliver a highly emotional, sensitive performance that ranges from sweet and soulful to gutsy, blues-style wailing. Lauren had a son, River, just a few days after her great December performance at Jazz Junction Live, the band, "Velvet", is actually named after her little daughter! Lauren is joined by multi instrumentalist Melanie Evans who will be performing on Tenor and Soprano Saxophones, Clarinet and Flute. Melanie weaves lyrical melodic lines around the vocal material and then delivers powerful, raw, fearless solos. Melanie has been playing music since an early age and is the daughter of well respected local Jazz guitarist Pat O’Halloran. Lauren and Melanie are very fortunate to work with an outstanding rhythm section. They are highly skilled, highly interactive and impressive to watch. Music surrounds Dave Biggin's life. First inspired by his brother to take up the guitar at eleven years of age, it has played a major part in his life ever since and Dave has been performing behind the guitar and microphone from his early teenage years to today. Now, at just over thirty years of age, Dave has spent a lot of time playing in and out of the Riverina in various forms. Previously, Dave played mainly with the Funky Hillbillys (aka FHB), and now he plays with Velvet. Playing in this versatile five-piece has been a rewarding experience for Dave, as it covers a range of genres and feels, from easy listening acoustic grooves, to jazz, alternative, soul, reggae and funk based tunes. This has given Dave the opportunity to incorporate three types of guitar in Velvet – nylon, steel string acoustic and electric guitar which, combined with the flexibility of multi-instrumentation from Damian and Mel Evans, provides variation to Velvet's sound. Dave greatly admires Damian and Mel’s ability to keep things interesting. Drummer Anthony Stanislavski is a dynamic and highly interactive musician who plays with musical maturity well beyond his age. Anthony’s unique playing and use of percussion brings a myriad of flavours to the sound of Velvet. His style is reactive, playful and instinctual and always intriguing for the audience. Damian Evans gigged in Melbourne for 8 years and completed a Bachelor of Music Performance (Improvisation) at the VCA and is an amazing and creative musician with highly refined technique and years of experience. He will be playing Electric Upright and 6 string electric bass. Velvet places its own jazz influenced style onto a wide variety of modern tunes and the occasional jazz standard giving them a unique sound. The Artists covered include Ben Harper, Tracy Chapman, Damian Rice, Nora Jones, Portishead, Cindy Lauper, Sting, Ani Difranco, Cheryl Crow, Jimmy Hendrix, Tori Amos, Beth Orton, Radiohead and Corrine Bailey Rae. This gig will appeal to all ages. It is a great opportunity for children to see a wide variety of instruments played by these talented musicians. As usual, the venue is the Mirage Room at the RSL Club, Dobbs Street, Wagga Wagga and the time is from 3.00pm to 6.00pm. Entry is $15 adult, $10 pensioner and student concession, children 12 years and under free. In addition, the gold coin donation goes to the charity for the month; in May, this is Northcott Disability Services. (Formerly The Northcott Society.) Of course, Jazz Junction Live greatly appreciates the sponsorship of the RSL Club, the Riverina Conservatorium of Music, the Daily Advertiser and 2AAA-FM. Allison Music very generously sets up and donates the use of the sound system. |
Future Dates for your Diary Mirage Room - Wagga RSL Club, Dobbs Street Sunday 15 June - Damian Foley and Friends (supporting Willans Hill School) For details of upcoming bands and charities for each month, check Friday's The Daily Advertiser, The RSL Club News, or come back to this page! |
| Photos of previous Jazz Junction Live events can be found in the 2AAA photo album here! |
