August jazz at the Salon

By Mindy Gill

For her upcoming debut, critically acclaimed jazz singer Sarah McKenzie plans to captivate her audience with her unique twist on music from the timeless Great American Songbook.

With a seven-piece entourage in tow, Ms McKenzie will be performing this month in the intimate space of the Salon at the Melbourne Recital Centre.

“Jazz for me was always happy music and we want to fill people with joy,” Ms McKenzie said. “I want to give this to them perhaps in a style that they don’t know. And I really want them to come away and feel intrigued.”

A melange of blues, jazz and pop songs along with her own jazz compositions, Ms McKenzie credits much of her music influence to Cole Porter.

“I love Cole Porter and I just think he’s so funny and so witty and the melodies and the music is so good that, as a result, I’ve become really passionate about it and I write so many songs in this style,” Ms McKenzie said.

Based in Paris, she originally hails from Melbourne where she recorded two albums, earning her the Best Jazz Album ARIA award.

A review by notable jazz musician James Morrison includes the following praise: “Sarah McKenzie is a musical marvel.  She sings with the kind of phrasing that only a true jazz singer can come up with while the groove of her piano is the stuff that makes people want to play jazz. Don’t miss a chance to hear this lady perform live.”

While she draws inspiration for her song writing from many of the places she travels to, Ms McKenzie fell in love with Paris.

“I just wrote a song called Paris in The Rain,” Ms McKenzie said. “When it rains it’s so beautiful and you want to be outside where all the lights blur on the road and it’s so romantic. And I would not have written it had I not been there and felt the magic and felt inspired to write for Paris.”

With performances at Melbourne’s Bennett’s Lane, The Paris Cat and other major festivals, together with iconic jazz locations like Dizzy’s and Minton’s in New York, her rise through the ranks of the Australian music scene has been spectacular.

To book tickets, please visit www.melbournerecital.com.au

Saturday, August 27, 7pm
Salon (one hour no interval)
Tickets $30 ($25 concession)