The music of Ella Fitzgerald

The Melaleuca Jazz Orchestra is excited to bring the music of Ella Fitzgerald to Sydney again this year, featuring none other than 2 of Australia's leading jazz vocalists, Trish Delaney-Brown and Jo Fabro!

In March this year we sold-out our tribute to Ella in a night that was described as 'What a tight unit this band is. Such a pleasure to listen to. The band was on fire - 5 stars.' (Sydney Arts Guide). This time we bring the incredible vocal stylings of Trish Delaney-Brown and Jo Fabro.

Jazz's 'First Lady of Song' was a global inspiration for much of the 20th century, with numerous accolades with the world's best including collaboration with Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Quincy Jones, Joe Pass, Duke Ellington, Roy Eldridge, Dizzy Gillespie, Herb Ellis, Tommy Flanagan, Oscar Peterson, Frank Sinatra, Jobim, Ray Brown and many others.

Fitzgerald won 13 Grammy awards, plus a Grammy lifetime achievement award. Fitzgerald also received many other accolades throughout her career.

Fitzgerald had over 100 releases, many of which are quintessential records of jazz and the American Songbook. From the 1930's to the 1980's, Fitzgerald's recordings occupied the charts, giving the world it's authentic connection to jazz, plus reflecting Fitzgerald's formidable lifelong position as one of the world's greatest singers.

About Trish Delaney-Brown:

As soprano with The Idea Of North (1993- 2008) Trish’s passion & talent for song writing was well utilised within the group, along with her arranging, & other contributions to the groups recordings and live shows. During her time with the group, The Idea Of North was the recipient of a number of awards and established a national and international reputation that saw them traveling widely and often throughout Australia, the USA, Asia and Europe for concert performances, festivals, workshops and master classes. In 2003 they were the first non-US act to win the worlds largest a cappella competition (The Harmony Sweepstakes) in its then 20 year history. Since retiring from The Idea of North in 2008, Trish has returned as a guest for celebratory concerts, and more recently returned to the soprano chair for a 6 month deputy contract (2017).
 Trish’s recording credits include numerous radio and television jingles; live television performances both with The Idea of North and as a solo artist; featured solo and backing vocals on a number of CDs for other artists; her own debut CD of original material ‘Only the Beginning’; and a cappella quartet ‘The Idea of North’s’ six CDs along with their live concert DVD released in 2007. Trish was named Songwriter of the Year by the Australian Songwriters Association (2003) ; was awarded ‘Best Jazz Song” in the 2005 CARA’s (USA); “Best jazz Fusion/Gospel Song” and “Best Gospel Lyric” in the 2007 Australian Gospel Music Awards as well as being shortlisted for Jazz Songwriting in the 2009 and 2017 APRA Development Awards. Trish is also an ABC Jazz Digital artist, her 2017 release ‘The Game’ being shortlisted for the ARIA’s Best Jazz Album 2018.

About Jo Fabro:
Arguably one of Sydney's most respected vocalists, Jo Fabro's career highlights include: #10 on Australian Blues & Roots Airplay Chart (ABARAC), Winner - Honourable mention - Unsigned Only Songwriting Competition 2022 & 2023 - Vocal Performance Category (The Question), Semi-Finalist - Unsigned Only Songwriting Competition 2022 - Blues Category (Don’t Make a Liar Out of Me). Recent performance highlights incude: Album Launch Tour - August 2023 - The Warehouse Theatre - Adelaide; The Wheatsheaf Adelaide; Smith’s Alternative - Canberra; The Lakes Hotel - The Central Coast; Miss Celie’s - Sydney, Cronulla Jazz & Blues Festival - March ‘23, SIMA International Women’s Jazz Festival - Oct ‘22, Album Launch - The Great Club - Sept ‘22, Orange Winter Jazz Festival - June ‘22, Cronulla Jazz & Blues Festival - June ‘22, Streets Alive Festival (HEADLINE ACT) - May ‘22, Pyrmont Food & Wine Festival - May ‘22, Get Together Music Festival - March ‘22.

The Melaleuca Jazz Orchestra are a Sydney based big band featuring some of Australia's leading jazz musicians and big band musicians. Led by Elsen Price and co-directed by James Ryan and Stu Vandegraaff, the band has performed consistent sold-out gigs in the Sydney area, with a band featuring some of Australia's most respected music veterans and highly talented emerging players. 

Personnel:

Trish Delaney-Brown and Jo Fabro - Vocals

Flynn Poppleton, Josh Hunter and Eamon Dilworth - Trumpets

Lee Orszacsky, Rhys Moore and Molly James - Trombones

Stu Vandegraaff, James Ryan, Stephan Schafer and Tom Spencer - Saxophones

Ravi Trachenberg-Ray, Michael Coggins, Elsen Price and Nic Cecire - Rhythm

**First in Best Dressed so get there early to grab a seat**

5pm Doors/ Restaurant 🍹 🍕
6.30pm bands 🎵