Doors 5pm
Show 6pm
PERTH INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL AT THE ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB
Making her highly anticipated debut at the Perth International Jazz Festival, acclaimed vocalist and composer Ilaria Crociani brings a fresh and distinguished voice to the Australian jazz scene. Originally hailing from Florence and now based in Naarm (Melbourne), this Italian-Australian artist has made waves with her latest work, “Connecting the Dots.” Commissioned and produced by ABC Jazz, this album is a noteworthy contribution to contemporary jazz, seamlessly weaving the rich narrative tradition of Italian Canzone D’Autore with the dynamic, improvisational spirit of jazz.
“Connecting the Dots” is more than an album; it’s a journey through places and history, with nine original compositions that pay homage to remarkable women from Australia’s past and beyond. With lyrical elegance and musical ingenuity, Ilaria brings to life the stories of extraordinary characters like a.o. Western Australia’s Marion Bell, who circumnavigated the continent in her Oldsmobile in the early ‘20s; Minnie Berrington, South Australia’s first female pioneering opal prospector; and Gina Sinozich, who found her artistic calling at the age of 70. These tales of hardship, integrity, and resilience resonate as powerful testaments to the strengths of the human spirit.
Sharing the stage with Ilaria is an ensemble of exceptionally exquisite musicians, each bringing their extraordinary knowledge and refined, soulful musicianship to the performance. The group features legendary pianist Paul Grabowsky, with whom Ilaria has had the privilege of collaborating on several occasions in recent years, as well as multi-awarded composers Mirko Guerrini on sax and Niko Schäuble on drums. Together, they breathe life into this vibrant and intensely colored repertoire, creating an evening of music that is both sophisticated and profoundly moving.
Ilaria Crociani’s artistic journey is marked by collaborations with luminaries such as Tony Gould, John Griffiths, and Paolo Angeli. She has also worked with the jazz quintet Radiosuccessi and the Extasy Morricone septet. Her accolades include being a semi-finalist in the 2020 and 2023 International Songwriting Competition, a recipient of the 2021 City of Melbourne Arts Grants, and a composer for ABC Kids Listen, where she crafted a collection of bilingual songs in Italian and English for children. This concert is part of a broader tour across Australia, a project which has been assisted by the Australia Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
Join us for an evening of jazz Made in Australia—where tradition meets innovation, and history is sung anew.
