It’s Doris Day meets Django Reinhardt when Sancha and the Blue Gypsies perform for the Down South Jazz Club on Thursday, November 9 at Club Sapphire.
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With a refreshing take on traditional folk, bluegrass, jazz, gospel tunes and a lifetime of performance experience between them, this joyous collaboration of some of Sydney's most respected musicians are headed your way. The line up features Sancha Prowse (vocals, mandolin), Marcus Holden (violin,mandolin, guitar, vocals), Garry Steel (accordion) and Stan Valacos (double bass, guitar).
From Leonard Cohen to Alison Krauss with a hint of Chick Corea, you'll be enthralled by this swinging quartet.
It will be the first time we have met or heard Sancha Prowse and we look forward very much to the opportunity of doing so. She has had rave reviews at various other concerts with comments such as “Sancha was unknown to us but she not only sang brilliantly but also helped make even the song transitions entertaining” and “Sancha Prowse’s superb vocals (her timing and phrasing is absolutely spot on in extremely difficult pieces) sat very well on these old ears."
Bassist Stan Valacos has played regularly with different groups led by Geoff Bull, along with the Paul Furniss trio and other combinations. He is in high demand by most leading musicians on the Sydney jazz scene. At the Southern Highlands Classic Jazz and Ragtime Festival he played with three top musicians - Geoff Bull, Paul Furniss and Anthony Howe. Stan also plays 7-string guitar in a Brazilian Band called “Performing Brazil”. He has played at the Ascona Jazz Festival in USA and also joined the Society Syncopators for several gigs in Europe prior to appearing for the Down South Jazz Club in July 2008 with the Geoff Bull Jazz Band. We had the pleasure of listening to him several times last year when he performed with George Washingmachine, Jug-a-lug Stringband and John Morrison’s All Stars.
Marcus Holden is a multi instrumentalist playing fiddle, mandolin, cello, guitar and keyboard.
Apart from playing anything from Gypsy, folk, country, jazz to classical and string arranging from quartet to full orchestra, he has worked in collaboration with some of Australia's greats.
Marcus has been playing music since he was eight years old. Music keeps him young and happy, creative and expressive. Along with Stan, he also played with the Jug-a-lug Stringband in September last year.
Garry Steel is an accordion virtuoso and pianist. His colourful playing of the upright piano inject a sound that helps recreate the music of the goldfield hotels. With countless recording and performance credits, Garry, a founding member of FF (Fiddlers Feast), is one of this country’s most sought after musicians bringing his individual style and sound to everything musical he touches. He has graced thousands of country and rock recordings and played with a long list of bands and stars.
Sancha and the Blue Gypsies bring the best of the gypsy music world, unforgettable toe-tapping tunes, with the best of the folk world, sing-a-long, heart-felt classics, together in one incredible show. The quality of their musician-ship and their intimate relationship with the audience makes this show something you won't forget.
Cost is $15 for jazz club members and $20 for visitors.
Music starts 7.30 pm and bookings can be made with Aileen/Kevin Walsh (64959853), at bookings@downsouthjazzclub.org.au, or will be available on the night at the door.