Jazz Divas: Tina Harrod, Virna Sanzone & Lily Dior January 12, 2008

Riverside Theatres presents in association with the 2008 Sydney Festival three of Sydney’s most sensational jazz singers in three unforgettable concerts in the Riverside Theatres courtyard – TINA HARROD, VIRNA SANZONE and LILY DIOR. These sensational performances will begin with Tina Harrod’s on Saturday 12 January, followed by Virna Sanzone on Thursday 17 January, and conclude with Lily Dior on Friday 18 January.

Tina Harrod has been described as “our very own Aretha Franklin”. With a vocal versatility that moves effortlessly from funk to soul and jazz, she has the power to raise the roof. Tina sprang to prominence when she teamed up with jazz legend Jackie Orszaczky as one of The Godmothers, then became a regular part of Jackie's soul incarnation The Grandmasters. Jacky and Tina collaborated on the albums Deep Down and Out and Family Lore. The Sydney Morning Herald's Bruce Elder wrote: "What a voice! … Tina Harrod has one of those gorgeous vocal instruments, which just oozes soul, sex and sensuality."

"The most solid soul-testifying voice...Tina Harrod take a bow" - Craig Pearce, Drum Media

Tina was the vocalist for Sandy Evans’ Sweet Freedom and for the Sydney Opera House production of Testimony. In 2003 Tina released her first solo album Shacked Up In Paradise for which she wrote most of the songs.

“Harrod brings the blue-flame intensity of her singing. It is a dark-hued, womanly voice; assured in pitch and as powerful as a train when called upon.” - John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald

At Riverside, Tina will appear with Jonathan Swartz on Bass, Matthew McMahon on Piano and Hamish Stuart on Drums.

Virna Sanzone has a voice that is deeply soulful with the ability to sail effortlessly through the most intricate jazz melodies. Her passionate delivery and understated approach have seen her compared to vocal masters from Roberta Flack and kd lang to Shirley Horne. Virna’s self titled album has won her international awards for songwriting.

“Virna Sanzone’s voice is informed by her fine melodic sensitivity, her sophisticated understanding of the jazz tradition and above all, her characteristically rich, soul-drenched feel.” - Drum Media

Virna supported Roy Ayers and Ernest Ranglin on their recent Australian tours, appeared with Paul Capsis and was a guest vocalist with Lulo Reinhardt, grand-nephew of the great Django Reinhardt, and with the “voice of the revolution”, South African singer and freedom songwriter Vusi Mahlasela. At Riverside, Virna appears with Hamish Stuart on Drums, Alex Hewetson on Bass, James Muller on Guitar and Matthew McMahon on Keyboard.

Lily Dior is one of Australia’s most captivating singers, possessing a warm, lyrical vocal that lends itself smoothly to the cool, subtleties and nuance of jazz. "Deep, full, heart-stopping and sultry" is how Bruce Elder described it in the Sydney Morning Herald. Of her performance, Jim McLeod wrote: "She can belt out a song, dramatize a lyric, swing hard and earthy, flirt, sing a tender song - Lily can tell a story'."

Also a graduate of Jackie Orszaczky’s Godmothers, Lily has performed with Mark Murphy whom she studied with in New York, and The Manhattan Jazz Quintet led by legendary arranger Dave Matthews. Since the release of her acclaimed CD Invitation, a stunning collection of originals and standards, Lily and her band have performed in Japan, China and London. Lily was a vocalist for Testimony and for the 2007 Sydney Festival Lily appeared with Brazilian guitarist Oscar Castro Neves and his all star band for Jazz in the Domain.

“…our own Lily Dior has never sounded better than she did joining the magic for ‘How Insensitive’ and, later in the night, ‘Dindi’, a charming duet with Castro Neves’s nylon string guitar.” - John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald

At Riverside Lily will be backed by Gerard Masters on Keyboard, Cameron Undy on bass, Carl Dewhurst on Guitar and Evan Mannell on Drums.

TINA HARROD, VIRNA SANZONE, LILY DIOR
VENUE: Riverside Theatres Courtyard, Corner Church and Markets Streets, Parramatta
DATE & TIME: Saturday January 12 -Tina Harrod, Thursday January 17 - Virna Sanzone, Friday January 18 - Lily Dior All at 9.00 pm
PRICE: $15, SPECIAL DISCOUNT TICKET - $10 with purchase of ticket to Riverside season of Construct or Into
BOOKINGS: Riverside Theatres: 02 8839 3399 or www.riversideparramatta.com.au

Official Website: http://www.riversideparramatta.com.au