WEB JOURNAL #6 - June 2005

An impromptu quintet with Peder from The Real Group.

Another 2004 tour highlight was our trip to Malaysia in December.   Our Malaysian agent (& all round good guy , Paul Augustin) who invited us to the Kuala Lumpur Jazz Festival in 2003 has started another festival...this one in Penang.   The setting was divine - palm trees, white sandy beaches, drinks with umbrellas in them...you get the picture.   There were acts from Malaysia, the USA and we were the Aussie contingent.   I find that festivals can sometimes feel a bit disparate with lots of different stages and acts.   Penang only had the one stage, and the final evening ended with all of the performers up on stage jamming on Mas Que Nada (we got to sing it with a band...what a treat!) & the audience singing and dancing along. Masses of fun.   We also get a bit of radio airplay over there, so it was very cool to see so many people already familiar with our music to the point of singing along to our arrangements We almost felt like pop stars.

At the Penang Island Jazz Festival, Malaysia.

Having spent 4 days in beautiful Penang only weeks earlier, the news of the Boxing Day Tsunami hit home even harder.   So when we were approached to take part in a compilation CD to raise funds for all the countries affected, we jumped at the chance.   The CD, called 'Restoration', is out now through various outlets including Koorong Book Stores,   www.koorong.com , and on-line at www.hardrushmusic.com . ALL fees and royalties have been waived, and all costs for production, promotion and distribution have been donated which means that ALL proceeds, go directly to the tsunami relief and restoration through the registered charity AGMA (details available at www.hardrushmusic.com ).   With acts like James & John Morrison, Roma Waterman, Erana Clark and Troy Cassar-Daley, this is a way of getting some great tracks for yourself whilst making a big difference to all of those countries who are still very much in need of our support.

Ahh, the waiting...

2005 is also being lived at a rather brisk pace, but with some wonderful performance opportunities and some great personal experiences.   A huge highlight for me so far has been our album 'Evidence' winning Best Jazz CD in the 2005 CARA's (Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards, USA), and also my song 'Rachel' winning Best Jazz Song in the same awards.   Each album (& song for me) is a labour of love.   To have those efforts enjoyed by audiences, and then on top of that recognised by critics, is very rewarding.   So thank you to all those who continue to support our work.

A stroll through Central Park...

A big thank you also to Darmon, Lauren, Kim and Peter - 'The New York Voices'.   We caught up with these Grammy winning vocalists in New York city for another 2 sessions of tutoring, hanging out, and Starbucks!   We missed out on the full NYV experience in our 2004 study as Kim was not available, so it was just fantastic to get to meet her as well and see the group dynamic in action.    I am a huge fan of their recordings which are amazing, but being in a tiny rehearsal room with all 4 of them standing right there singing directly to you is jaw dropping-ly good.   My physical reaction was to break into goose bumps and cry rather embarrassingly!   Thank goodness I had a supply of tissues on hand.   It is wonderful to meet artists who are not only great at what they do, but are also such genuine, open individuals with an infectious passion for their craft.  

Working on a song with Peter.

On our recent USA tour we   also performed at the renowned Berkeley venue, The Freight and Salvage (massive thanks to the wonderful 'Clockwork' members who set the gig up).   That in itself was pretty cool, but even better was a couple of very special audience members who attended.   Jazz vocal arranger extraordinaire Gene Peurling, and American guitar and vocal duo Tuck & Patti,   During my first year of study at the Canberra School of Music I had one CD (actually probably tape back then) that lived in my car for the entire year.   It was 'Tears Of Joy' by Tuck & Patti and I literally wore it out.   You might imagine then how thrilling it was to be given the chance to spend a day with the two of them as part of my final study for the AETT   grant.   If you have heard their music, you can imagine the type of people that they are.   Incredibly warm, generous, full of love and a wonderful approach to life. They totally live their music.   It was incredibly inspiring to be in their presence and absorb some of their vast experience, and passion for their music.   Thank you so much T&P!

At the legendary 'Freight & Salvage', California.

Your beverage is probably getting dry by now, and I really should wind up, but I have to mention just one more highlight.   We have just recently returned from our first ever visit to South Korea.   It was 5 wonderful days in Seoul, two of which were spent answering a barrage of questions from a multitude of Korean media.   It was a whirlwind of newspaper, magazine (we are going to be in the Korean Marie Claire, can you believe it), radio & television.   I must say I have a new respect for artists who have to do massive media rounds.   There are only so many times that one can look interested in answering "So, how did you get your name"?!    Add the language barrier to that and there are bound to be a few interesting moments.   One of those came in our very first radio interview.   Apparently in Korea a way of complimenting someone is to say that they look like a movie star.   We didn't know this of course, so the interviewer looked quite confused and a little put out when I responded to this compliment by asking which one!!   The Korean audiences were fantastic though, and we very much look forward to returning to Seoul before the end of the year.

Pre-show in Korea.

Ok, I have definitely taken up more of your time than I meant to.   But the year is only young, so check back in later to see what else we are up to.   Until then take care, and see you sometime soon.

Trish xx