Jazz standards to swing into Chisholm Street

THE stripped-back sounds of vocals and guitar will resound from Black Hill next week as part of the latest concert in the Chisholm Street series.

Next Friday evening, singer Paige Duggan and guitarist Robbie Melville will perform a set of jazz standards as one of six concerts in the Chisholm Street program.

Performing about 10 songs, Duggan said she’s looking forward to the intimate setting the series offers.

“Doing a parlour style is always really rewarding for the artist and the audience because everyone’s really engaged and there’s that more intimate feel,” she said.

“It’ll be one set then a break then another set and then there’ll be a discussion with the audience around my process performing jazz standards which is a rare opportunity.

“For me at least, I never perform a jazz standard the same way twice whether that’s improvising or choices I or Robbie make.”

Series director Bronwyn Blaiklock established the Chisholm Street program in 2021 when she began holding performances out of her Black Hill home as a way of hosting events in accordance with the visitor cap of COVID restrictions.

Between Blaiklock’s loungeroom and back deck, the venue has the capacity to seat about 30 attendees.

Duggan and Melville’s performance will be the fourth of six concerts in this year’s program, not including an additional Tango at the Roastery performance in the Northern Territory.

Blaiklock said after three years there’s room for the series to evolve with more touring.

“I’m beginning to explore other possibilities in terms of exploring one of the series, perhaps,” she said.

“It’s all a work in progress. I’m working out what works best for audiences and players. Sometimes having two performances in the one week doesn’t work for all players so it’s about flexibility.

“I’ve been learning about program types, style, instrumentation, they’re all different creatures and what can travel and to where and how that might fit into a musician’s busy life and work schedules.”

Following Duggan and Melville’s performance, a concert between Blaiklock and trombonist Hugh McKelvey, and a Christmastime performance will round out the remainder of this year’s series.

Tickets for Duggan and Melville’s concert range from free for children under five years old to $35 general admission and can be booked at bit.ly/45jVtwZ.