The 4 finalists in the 612 ABC Brisbane Valley Jazz Festival Vocalist Award 2011 were announced on 612 ABC Brisbane, Wednesday 13th April. The award coordinator Ingrid James and presenter Richard Fidler featured audio tracks of the 4 finalists and discussed the competition ahead of the biennial Valley Jazz Festival in May.
The Winner will be presented with the trophy by the Award Patron Vince Jones, live on stage 6pm prior to the Valley Jazz Festival 2011 Vince Jones closing night concert event, 7pm on Sunday 29th May 2011 at the Judith Wright Centre. The four finalists will be invited to attend the announcement of the winner live on air at the 612 ABC Studios in Toowong on Friday 27th May 2011.
In its third year running the 612 ABC Brisbane Valley Jazz Festival vocalist award competition has received some excellent entries from across Queensland. The award is open to all Jazz Vocalists who are Queensland residents and 18 years or over. Judges were looking for talent deserving recognition, voice quality and interpretation with a sense of creativity and originality. Vocal
The winner will receive:
• The 612 ABC Brisbane/Valley Jazz Festival Vocal Award trophy
• Performance date at the 2013 Valley Jazz Festival
• Headline concert tickets for the 2011 Valley Jazz Festival
• Interview and airplay on 612 ABC Brisbane (subject to editorial guidelines)
• The opportunity to be considered for a broadcast recording by ABC-FM’s “JazzTrack”
• Complimentary membership of Jazz Queensland for 1 year
• Feature spot at the Jazz Singers’ Jam Night/JQ Christmas Concert in December 2011
• Career development mentoring
The finalists for the 612 ABC Brisbane Valley Jazz Festival Vocalist Award 2011 are;
Astrid Jorgensen After performing as the vocalist for James Morrison and the Queensland Youth Orchestra Big Band in 2010, Astrid Jorgensen is ready to stun audiences again in 2011! Armed with only her self-taught, sensual vocals, Astrid has already tackled live-music venues around Brisbane as a backup vocalist for the award-winning pop sensation, Hannah Macklin and the Maxwells (debut album out April 2011). Now on a quest to forge her solo musical career, Astrid is embarking on a Masters degree at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, studying under the prowess of Irene Bartlett and Sharny Russell. Returning to sing with the QYO Big Band in 2011, we can expect big things from this 20 year old, pocket-rocket! |
Craig Burnett Whilst Craig Burnett is a household name (in his own house) the last decade has seem him develop a shadow career of some note. After graduating from the Queensland Conservatorium in 1999 he spent some time in the corporate entertainment scene, teaching in a number of studios and giving a lot of his time to the Christian arts scene. In 2000 he joined the jazz combo – SCAT. SCAT have now positioned themselves as a formidable act bringing new life to live jazz in Queensland and beyond. Craig has toured America, England and New Zealand and has played a number Queenland’s jazz, food and wine events. His latest album title with SCAT, “Wash Day Miracle” is a true representation of his broad musicality and commitment to round reflective surfaces. Craig is passionate about using creativity to challenge people’s worldview…and of course entertain! More recently he has appeared in Brisbane pro-am musical theatre and can be seen serenading his ‘Juliet’ on a comic television commercial. You will enjoy his versatile vocals, dry humour and latest hair-style. |
Eliza Cooke  Eliza Cooke is a third year student majoring in Jazz Voice at the Conservatorium of Music, Brisbane. Eliza has had a love of Jazz since being a youngster, some of her earliest memories are listening to her dads Jazz records. She played trumpet throughout high school, eventually playing with the high school big band. When Eliza was 14 the high school big band were looking for a vocalist, she put my hand up and hasn't looked back since. Eliza is looking forward to a big year fulfilling her role as vocalist for the Con Big Band and immersing herself in the Australian Jazz music scene. |
Sarah Collyer  A consummate and seasoned performer, Sarah Collyer's live shows are a hit with audiences who love her heartfelt original songs, and her warm stage presence. With performance credits throughout Australia, Malaysia and recently Japan, Sarah delivers a unique blend of Jazz, pop, rnb and blues with a velvety mellow tone that floats seamlessly through original songs, Jazz standards and unique interpretations of contemporary songs.
Songs from Sarah’s current recording This Way are played on radio stations, cafes and in retail establishments throughout Australia. |
