Songs of Dinah Washington
Nadira & Friends (Tas)

Doors 6pm
Show 7pm

 For the first time, Hobart’s jazz firecracker Nadira, the front woman of Nadira and Friends, takes the stage at The Ellington Jazz Club, joined by her “new” Friends, WA heavyweights Ben Vanderwal, Nick Abbey and Harry Mitchell. Together, they honour the iconic Dinah Washington, delivering a night of swing, soul and sharp-edged elegance.

Celebrated for her commanding yet playful presence, Nadira has recently opened for Gregory Porter, and trained with Grammy-nominated Jazzmeia Horn. With over a decade of performances across Australia, Asia, the USA and Europe, she brings a rare mix of precision, humour and infectious joy.

A tribute to Dinah—with grit, grace, and that signature Nadira glow.

Nadira – voice
Ben Vanderwal – drums
Nick Abbey – double bass
Harry Mitchell – piano

Nadira and Friends is a jazz ensemble fronted by Nadira, a Hobart-based jazz vocalist and ensemble leader. Gaining a reputation as a standout voice and personality in contemporary straight-ahead jazz, Nadira captivates audiences with punchy, articulate jazz vocals, a playful punk-ish edge and quick-witted banter that could double as a comedy act. Petite yet unmistakably commanding, she is a highly capable and experienced vocalist with an impressive repertoire. She connects instantly with listeners, bringing a contagious sense of fun. 

Wherever she goes, she’s always got her network of top-tier jazz musicians, the “Friends” part of the band, ready to join her for swingin’ affairs. In 2025, Nadira and Friends opened for Gregory Porter, the world-renowned, Grammy-winning singer during his Australian Tour and they’ve also supported Wendy Matthews and CW Stoneking. They have performed over 400 shows in the past decade at jazz clubs and festivals across Australia, Asia, the USA and parts of Europe.

Nadira has been featured in Dingo Australian Jazz Journal (issue 7, 2024) alongside more than 60 other emerging and leading Australian jazz musicians, and recorded her first album with leading jazz figures Nick Haywood and James Sherlock.

She has received coaching from multi-award-winning, Grammy-nominee Jazzmeia Horn, and was recently accepted into the prestigious Tribeca Jazz Institute in New York City – an elite, intensive program for hand-picked, high-calibre jazz artists from around the world – where she was the only vocalist chosen for that particular semester. 

Without fail, Nadira brings an infectious, playful spark that elevates the music and the entire room. And it’s her unmistakable smile that stays with you long after the performance, leaving both audience and performers alike on a genuine high.