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Dream of life - A Tribute to Carmen MacRae
Sunday, 12th September @8:30 PM

Carmen McRae (April 8, 1920 – November 10, 1994) was an American jazz singer, composer, pianist, and actress. Know as “The Singer’s Singer”, she was considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century, with her behind-the-beat phrasing and her ironic interpretations of song lyrics that made her memorable. McRae drew much inspiration from Billie Holiday, but established her own distinctive voice. She went on to record over 60 albums, enjoying a rich musical career.

Paying tribute to one of their idols will be jazz vocalists Brooke Russell and Gabbi Coenen. Both are in their 3rd and final year of jazz studies at WAAPA, and perform regularly around Perth; Russell with the Kalamunda Youth Swing Band, and Coenen with the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra. Accompanying them will be a stand-out band of young musicians, featuring:

Julian Foord – piano

Chris Sealey – guitar

Joe Southwell – double bass

Naomi Tan - drums

Featured will be songs and arrangements from some of McRae’s most beloved albums, including “The Carmen McRae-Betty Carter Duets”, “Carmen Sings Monk”, “Birds of a Feather” and “The Great American Songbook”, as well as one of McRae’s original compositions that she wrote for Billie Holiday, a ballad which is rarely performed nowadays.