We’re Back! The first Big Band to play at the Paris Cat since our record lockdown began. Featuring Fem Belling (Vocals) Saxes – Lachlan Davidson, Angela Davis, Mirko Guerrini, Rob Simone & Stuart Byrne. Trumpets – Mick Fraser, Thien Pham, Madi Foley, Danny madden. Trombones – Ian Bell, Roger Schmidli, Daryl McKenzie & Joe O’Callaghan. Rhythm Section – Gianni Turcio, Jack Pantazis, Kim May & Ollie Shute.

They met at a one-off concert at the end of 2013 and connected immediately. An inspiring personal and musical bond has developed between the members of the Torrio! and they knew this project will continue. Pianist Paul Grabowsky, drummer Niko Schauble and saxophonist Mirko Guerrini are prolific musicians and creative composer, each contributing original materials to the repertoire of the ensemble. The Torrio! arriving here all the way from Australia, features a spectacular collaboration in their splendid passionate performance.
Paul Grabowsky (58), pianist, composer, arranger and conductor, is a well-known and respected artist in Australia, one of the continent’s leading jazz musicians. He spent a while in Europe and the United States and worked among others with Chet Baker, Art Farmer and Johnny Griffin. Today he is a busy musician and composer, and an academic professor who received the honorary award of the Order of Australia for his achievements. Niko Schauble (54) considered one of the most creative drummers in Australia performed and recorded with Sam Rivers, Lee Konitz, Enrico Rava, Trilok Gurtu, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, among others. Schauble is also a skilled composer and arranger, making him a rare find and wanted melodic drummer. Italian saxophonist Mirko Guerrini (43), a native of Florence, is an eclectic musician, playing on numerous instruments, a music producer, and an acclaimed composer. He lived for a while in Canada before obtaining an artist visa and moving to Melbourne, Australia where he earned a solid reputation as a versatile musician with the knowledge of a variety of genres.
The Torrio! show encompasses musical genres from across the board with references to a variety of traditions adding more inspiration: from jazz and contemporary classical music to pop music and film scores. Guerrini was the perfect partner to join the longtime friends, Grabowsky and Schauble, who have been working together for almost thirty years. An eloquent musician with an artistic curiosity similar to theirs, and together they create a powerful and balanced trio. While each musician and composition is distinctly diverging, their interaction produces a mesmerizing harmony, music without borders, profound, playful, and full of joy. Their impressive performance at the Tokyo Jazz Festival in Japan resulted with a prompt invitation to perform in Eilat. Following an introduction to one of their performances outside of Australia when a non-English announcer called: “Welcome the Grabowsky Torrio!” they decided to adopt this rolling title, including the exclamation mark.

Paul Grabowsky Piano
Niko Schauble Drums
Mirko Guerrini Saxophones

Donovan is best known for her work with The Putbacks and The Black Arm Band – as well as touring and recording alongside legends such as Archie Roach, Yothu Yindi and Paul Kelly – and her voice carries within it many deep currents. Her family hail from both sides of the continent, and her many musical influences reflect her early experiences singing country, as well as the rich legacy of soul music which she conveys so powerfully.

In The Old Rugged Cross, these two acclaimed artists will be joined by a powerful collection of Melbourne’s finest jazz musicians in exploring another side of Donovan’s early influences: the gospel and hymn tunes she grew up with in communities. Alongside the title track, this performance will feature songs made famous by artists like Aretha Franklin and Johnny Cash, including ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘Will the Circle be Unbroken’ – as well as songs written by Donovan’s own grandfather, Micko Donovan.

This special collaboration promises to deliver a joyful celebration of soul, country and gospel sounds – all given the Grabowsky treatment.

• Paul Grabowsky – Piano
• Emma Donovan – Vocals
• Mirko Guerrini – Saxophone
• Audrey Powne – Trumpet
• James Macaulay – Trombone
• Stephen Magnusson – Guitar
• Phil Rex – Bass
• Niko Schäuble – Drums

Soul Chic are a vibrant & dynamic musical group lead by two female vocalists Nardia & Georga. Through their delectable unique voice blend they have mastered the art of harmonies and have since performed as a harmony duo around Australia & Europe.

With their unique blues and Jazz voice blend, their vibrant personalities & endearing stage presence, this pair has been described as both memorising and highly entertaining to watch.

Nardia Rose and Georga Byrne are regular performers at the Paris Cat featuring in various shows including the Eva Cassidy experience show which has been a huge sell out, and their own individual shows.

Their versatility, passion, energy and professionalism as entertainers has brought them huge success and have since been a part of some of the world’s most iconic names. Recently they supported Adele on her last tour and both Beyonce’s Mrs Carter tour and Pink’s ‘The Truth about Love’ tour at their Pre-Shows and Sneaky Sound System.

Their latest show will be a special night dedicated to celebrating Women of Jazz and Soul.

They will be performing songs from some of their favourite female artists that have had a huge impact on the way we hear music today. These powerful women were artists in their own right. They were women of courage, they were women of strength, and they were women who revolutionised Jazz, blues and Soul. It was these qualities that have inspired and influenced generations of music enthusiasts from all around the world.

Some of these artists include Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Doris Day, Peggy Lee, Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone and more. Georga and Nardia will be performing their own arrangements of songs by these artists and will be accompanied by some of Melbourne’s finest musicians:

Vocals and harmony: Georga Byrne and Nardia Brancatisano
Keys:
Thomas Byrne
Bass:
T.B.C Rory Brown
Drums:
Kieran Raffetty

Over the last few years the band have also been playing in and around Melbourne at various venues and festivals with highlights including The Melbourne Fringe Festival, Leaps & Bounds music festival, Transit Roof top bar, Flying Saucer & Caravan Club ‘One of Australia’s finest duos, these Girls are a phenomenal pair and a must see! They will leave you feeling incredibly inspired and will evoke a range of emotions’

http://www.soulchic.com.au/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv5BF-ii1jQ