A smoldering voice, a band that defies labels, and two gigs that will leave you transformed.
In 2004, Zulya and the band, The Children of the Underground, took Australian audiences by storm, re-configuring the way world and folk music is
perceived by the release of their first album, “The Waltz of Emptiness and Other Songs on Russian Themes.”
ARIA award-winning Zulya and The Children of the Underground is by far one of the most intriguing and unique acts in Australia, and perhaps the world. They perform exquisite original music loosely inspired by Zulya’s Tatar and Russian roots. Zulya’s music defies being labeled, but has been described as “Kurt Weillish, Euro-Cabaret jazz [collides with] lullabies constructed to tear your heart out.”
Nearly ten years after their formation the ensemble is placed firmly at the crossroad of restlessness and the sublime. The result; a transformative concert music that is haunting and nuanced. Their most recent album, “Tales of Subliming” is a rich tribute to the group’s continued search for the elusive connection between ensemble, composition, and performance.
Swinging like a Bolshevik Marlene Dietrich, Zulya and her Underground friends are able to strike a deft balance between melancholic sadness and the unbridled joy that’s never too far away.
SONGLINES, UK
Zulya and the Children of the Underground play Bennetts Lane in a special two night season – two albums, Saturday, The Waltz of Emptiness, and Sunday, Tales of Subliming.
Having relocated back to Melbourne from Sydney, pianist/composer/ Sam Keevers is joined by Brett Hirst (bass), Simon Barker (drums) and Javier Fredes (percussion). Before moving to Sydney, Keevers was leader of his own popular Salsa band, Los Carbones. He also had stints as Musical Director for Vince Jones and Kate Ceberano (as well as recording Katie Noonan’s ARIA award winning CD "Blackbird" in New York with Joe Lovano, John Scofield, Ron Carter and Lewis Nash). More recently Keevers has performed with Meshell Ngedeocello, Mavis Staples, Rickie Lee Jones, Joss Stone, the Black Arm Band and Ali Mcgregor. While Keevers’ jazz projects have been somewhat sidelined in the past by stints with other leaders, his last two CDs on JazzHead (No Conditions and No Exceptions) documented his originals through the realisation of a specially formed ‘all-star’ Nonet, featuring Bernie McGann, Scott Tinkler and Jamie Oehlers. He also released an acclaimed duo album of originals with Oehlers, Grace (also on JazzHead).
He will be performing mostly afro-cuban influenced originals and standards with his trio and quartet in preparation for his ABC recording with Jazztrack.
“....outstanding. Keevers has assembled his nine-piece band with the love and quality control that Italians reserve for building Ferraris...... As to which CD to buy, that's easy: both." - John Shand, Limelight, August 2006
www.samkeevers.com
