Doors 3pm
Concert 3:30pm
PERTH INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL AT THE ELLINGTON
We invite you to share a very special afternoon in Helen’s Room, Upstairs at The Ellington, as we commemorate the incomparable Helen Matthews. In this intimate, sofa concert setting, Helen’s friends – vocalists Ali Bodycoat and Libby Hammer, along with Helen’s longtime guitarist, Ray Walker – come together to share acoustic songs and stories in celebration of our Helen.
With a career spanning over half a century, Helen performed for royalty and religious leaders alike and was the director and driving force behind some of Western Australia’s most innovative jazz projects and festivals. Helen presented a jazz program on RTRFM and ABC, was appointed to the Music Board of the Australian Council and served the Perth Jazz Society for 17 years. She mentored and taught many artists, supporting and advocating for female artists in particular.
Helen was inducted into the West Australian Music (WAM) Hall Of Fame in 2015 and was named a State Cultural Treasure in 2022. In April this year, in recognition of her enduring connection to our community, The Ellington Jazz Club re-named their VIP Lounge Bar, The Helen Matthews Room.
Sadly, our beloved Helen passed away in June of this year. She meant so much to so many and we will forever be grateful for her contribution to the development of the Western Australian jazz scene.
Tickets are inclusive of a beverage on arrival and an assortment of amuse-bouches.
This is an informal sofa concert with unallocated seating. There are some booth seats available and plenty of standing room and you are welcome to bring a cushion to lounge on the floor – please make yourself at home!
The Concert will run for an hour without an interval.
More about Ali and LIbby
Perth jazz dynasts Ali Bodycoat and Libby Hammer have been performing together for nigh-on 30 years, and have at least nine collaborative acts to show for it. “These two glorious local hummingbirds” as they have been called, each boast a respected position in the local jazz world, and as soloists, they hold their own with the world’s best. Their chemistry is one that has developed through years of singing together, not to mention the many years of gossiping over a cup of tea and a sweet treat. Each of these glamour gals is a tour de force in her own right, whether on the jazz or cabaret stage, so when the two perform together, the result is a heady cocktail of glorious harmony, perfect blend and sparkling personality, and that’s before we even start talking about the frocks, darling!
