Songstress to showcase all that’s jazz

ACCLAIMED Melbourne jazz vocalist Lillian Albazi and her star-studded band will grace the stage at the Capital Theatre later this month to promote the recent release of their much-anticipated debut album.

Titled, After-Image, the new record features a stellar assortment of modern jazz and other musical genres that Albazi said, “Strike a balance between quiet, special, intimate moments, with tunes that we can have a bit of fun with and stretch our improvisatory skills on.”

“The curation and choices of songs on After-Image vary from arrangements that we love to play as a band, to songs that I have a personal connection to.

“I think as well, the songs that have been chosen allow each individual member of the band to showcase their skills on a singular level, as well as within our group.”

Albazi said performing live is something that she “missed greatly” during lockdown and she feels like she’s finally regaining her freedom and spirit again.

“That transaction of energy that you feel as a performer in front of an audience is completely unmatched by anything I have experienced so far in my life,” she said.

Bendigo jazz enthusiasts on the evening can look forward to enjoying “five good mates and our unique interpretation of jazz standards.”

“I believe that jazz is ever evolving and adapting to the subculture or community that it is being played in,” she said.

“So I like to take old standards that we know and love, open them up and give them a bit of a boost into the 21st century.

“There will still be a ballad or two for the romantics out there and Bendigo is the only stop on the tour that I’ll have two special guests in tow – Tom Allen-Graham on guitar and Lewis Pierre on drums.”

Catch Lillian Albazi and friends at the Capital Theatre from 8pm on Friday, 16 July. Tickets are available on the Bendigo Region website at bit.ly/3hfzKAz.