Jazz on Quay is pleased to announce along with national artists, the best of Central Queensland’s jazz musicians, who will once again be gathering on the banks of the Fitzroy River to set the city alight with the sounds of incredible jazz that will set the mood for an amazing night.
Bree De Rome
17 year old Brisbane songstress, Bree De Rome has captivated the interest of countless minds with her enthralling voice and soulful melodies since her appearance on Australia’s Got Talent, where she reached the finals. Growing up as the youngest of the family, Bree was moulded into maturity from a very young age.
With such an eccentric personality she had difficulty finding her place in conventional schooling and at the age of 13, Bree decided that she would start her one and a half-year interlude of home education. During this time Bree decided that, with the help of the Internet, she would teach herself to play the guitar.
By the age of 16 she had completely emerged herself in a very musical lifestyle. Starting her first year at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music studying a Bachelor of Popular Music, Bree is one of the youngest students to attend the Queensland Conservatorium.
Bree has recently spent some time song-writing with acclaimed singer/songwriter Sally Seltmann who co-wrote the hit song 1234 with Canadian singer Feist and who has also achieved success with her own projects, New Buffalo and Seeker Lover Keeper. Bree is continuing to write with some of Australia’s finest musicians and is set to release her first of many albums in early 2012.
Louise Isackson Quartet
Louise Isackson is a Jazz singer/songwriter living in Brisbane. After launching of her debut CD entitled ‘Feels Right’ in 2008, she has since lived and performed in New York and Melbourne. “Experiencing life in these two cities has given me a solid foundation for exploring my original compositions, through the discipline of listening to and playing Jazz”.
“Whilst leaning on the classics of American Jazz standards of Gershwin, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin, I like to take on a variety of musical ideas, in my Jazz repertoire. My original songs fall into the genre of smooth jazz/pop, with some sound elements of soft rock and country. As a trio we perform great swing standards, whilst interpreting modern songs by artists such as Sting, Michael Franks, Billy Joel, and Jimmy Hendriks. I enjoy exploring what a band can do with rhythm, tempo, or simply creating a sultry mood with all kinds of songs.”
Early this year she returned back to her home town of Brisbane to work on a new album of original material (due for release in the coming year). She performs a stylish mix of Jazz standards and originals with her trio band (Vocals, piano or guitar, and Bass)
Peter Walters
Peter has distinguished himself over the years as one of Brisbane’s most sought after bassists, particularly in the jazz milieu. Classically trained, he quickly established his jazz credentials with strong and imaginative playing. He is a deft soloist, displaying a complete command of whatever style he is playing whether it is bebop, blues, soul, latin, manouche or contemporary jazz.
MotherLove
Highly regarded ensemble, MotherLove, continue to capture the attention of both well-seasoned jazz enthusiasts and swing voters alike. They provide fresh perspectives on popular jazz standards, along with their own eloquent, smooth-jazz original songs.
As a five-piece, MotherLoves’ performances include last year’s Jazz on Quay and Events Queensland’s Regional Conference. This year paring back to guitar and vocals has generated demand for the duo throughout Central Queensland, performing for audiences with broad musical tastes at both regional concert events and their regular venues.
There’s no arguing that Nicole is a gifted vocalist. She embraces each song with an emotional rigour and often spontaneous play on melody. In her commanding vocals you may hear shades of her influences Ella Fitzgerald, Julie London and Eva Cassidy. Carl’s background is unapologetically the school of rock and this is evident in his often edgy, progressive guitar licks and an intuitive parity with the vocalist. There is something magical in the way his vintage Ibanez resonates with Nicole’s voice and rhythm guitar to make what has been affectionately called the ‘MotherLove groove’.
Romy Legaspi and Transformed
Known locally for his smooth sounding sax, international musician Romy Legaspi was born into a musical family and has been performing as a young soloist since he was 11 years old. Classically trained, after being in the Philippine Army Band for 12 years, Romy has travelled the world and performed with orchestras, show bands and contemporary ensembles. He delights in entertaining and his passion is for the swinging rhythm of jazz.
Along with the talented line up of professional musicians playing at Jazz on Quay, several local school bands will be playing in the earlier part of the day, showcasing the younger talented generation of up and coming jazz musicians.
