Country, gospel, and jazz: Emma Donovan and Paul Grabowsky’s powerful performance at MRC

Emma Donovan took to the stage at the Melbourne Recital Centre (MRC) on April 2 for A Rugged Old Cross, joined by celebrated pianist Paul Grabowsky and a stellar lineup of Melbourne jazz musicians.

The performance blended gospel traditions with jazz improvisation, offering a deeply personal and soulful experience.

Ms Donovan and Mr Grabowsky first collaborated when she was invited to record a track for his memoir Tell Me Why.

“I met Paul when he was doing his memoir, and they invited me to do a track with him, A Closer Walk With Thee,” Ms Donovan said. 

“We ran the track down at ABC, did it live twice, and stayed in touch. We always wanted to dream up doing a gig together, and it’s finally come about.”

Their performance featured gospel songs that hold deep personal significance for Ms Donovan.

“Paul came to me with just the gospel idea, because we did A Closer Walk With Thee, and I was talking to him about my upbringing,” she said.

I was born into a very musical family. My grandfather particularly wrote gospel tunes. Both him and my grandmother on my mom’s side came from mission times, where they learned lots of gospel tunes.

The setlist evolved through their collaboration, incorporating both classic gospel hymns and Ms Donovan’s family heritage. 

“[Paul] actually had a totally different setlist than what we ended up with, but I shared with him some of the classics that came from my grandparents and my household, and we just started from there.”

For Ms Donovan, the show is a continuation of her lifelong musical journey, one shaped by country, gospel, and soul music. 

Performing alongside Mr Grabowsky also provided an opportunity for growth in Ms Donovan’s own musical repertoire. 

“Jazz is a genre for me that I’ve never really touched on,” she told Southbank News. 

“I’ve been a little bit frightened to go there. But when someone like Paul makes these amazing arrangements, he kind of just gently pushes you, and gives you that little nudge.”

The performance included songs by her grandfather Micko Donovan, as well as a tribute to Aretha Franklin’s Amazing Grace. 

Audiences were treated to powerful renditions of In the Sweet By and By, One Day at a Time, and I’ll Fly Away, songs made famous by legends such as Johnny Cash, the Carter Family, and Elvis Presley.

“I always tell anybody, if they can take a little something away for themselves [from the show], that’s what matters,” Ms Donovan said. 

“These gospel tunes of my grandfather’s, written in the 1970s, tell a story of our family’s history and mission life. I hope people can understand that.” •