Multi award-winning jazz artist Ellen Kirkwood laughs when asked how often her band EK and the Extraordinaires has played together ahead of their Jazz in the Park performance on Saturday April 29.
“We’ve never played together before this … it’s a brand-new band I have put together just for this festival!”, Ellen says.
But jazz lovers definitely need not worry – this gifted five-piece band promises to be a festival highlight!
“We are playing music that has been performed before and recorded, it’s a reimagining of one of my old projects and I have played a lot with all these members.”
This year Jazz in the Park will feature as part of the Balmain Rozelle Food and Art Festival, which runs Saturday 22 April to Sunday 30 April.
Balmain will come alive to the sounds of jazz as the much-loved festival makes a return to Gladstone Park from 2pm to 5pm.
Ellen is looking forward to seeing what alchemy occurs when her star-studded ensemble combines jazz with genres from around the world including Balkan, Ethiopian and Latin American vibes.
“I’ve had a lasting musical relationship with all of them and this is just me putting them all together because I think they’d make a really great combination” Ellen says.
“It will be a fun party atmosphere, festive, rhythmic and joyous.”
Ellen says the event is a fantastic opportunity for fans and families to catch a variety of jazz styles.
“It’s open to the community, out in the park and there aren’t many opportunities for families and kids to come and see jazz,” she says.
EK and the Extraordinaires will kick off the festival just after 2pm, with Greasy Chicken Orchestra next on stage and bringing their finely tuned brand of swinging 20s/30s jazz.
Gifted pianist/composer Matt McMahon will deliver a memorable collaboration as the Matt McMahon Trio.
The ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Jazz Award-winner has performed with many touring artists including Wynton Marsalis and Mary Coughlan.
To make a day of it, why not purchase a picnic hamper from a Darling Street business and bring the whole family to experience an afternoon in the park with the best of Inner West Jazz!
On Stage at Jazz in the Park
2:10 pm – EK and the Extraordinaires
3:10pm – Greasy Chicken Orchestra
4:10pm – Matt McMahon Trio
