In the Song Appetit series, fabulous musicians join us for dinner and give us an intimate opportunity to hear their story and their music…
Small, acoustic concerts – like the ones The Boite has been hosting for over 40 years – have a charm of their own. You can hear the instruments as they were designed to be heard, you can detail every gesture and trick the musicians pull. The intimacy makes them very special experiences for both the audience and the performers.
Starting in October, we will be running a series of events that take this even further. They are called Song Appetit and, in them, fabulous musicians join us for dinner and give us an intimate opportunity to hear their story, their journey and their music. Part artist talk and part recital, these shows offer audiences a unique insight into the musicians’ journey and their humanity as well as their talent. And to crown it all, at some point in the evening food is served, setting the scene for a relaxed conversation with the artists.
Three concerts are programmed in the series.
The first, on October 30, will welcome Adam Simmons, one of Australia’s most prolific and adventurous contemporary musicians with visiting Italian pianist Alessandra Garosi whom he met in the 2009 International "Alternative" Festival in Prague. Since then, they collaborate every chance they get.
The second will feature siblings Fem and Zvi Belling, both trailblazers on the International and Australian music scene in their own right. Hailing from a South African musical dynasty, they explore growing up in Apartheid South Africa, the legacy of their father and how making music as a family is as important as sitting down to a meal with one. Song Appetit with Fem and Zvi Belling will take place on November 20.
And the last event of the series, on December 4, will feature Richard Tedesco, master guitarist and musical director of acclaimed group Arte Kanela Flameco. He has been a leading figure in Australian-produced flamenco, and a prominent part of our diverse cultural fabric for more than 30 years.
All three events will take place Wednesdays from 6:30pm at The Clyde Hotel (385 Cardigan Street, Carlton). Tickets are $50, including a main course prepared especially by the chef for the occasion. For more information and tickets visit www.boite.com.au
Artist Bios
Adam Simmons and Alessandra Garosi
Adam was born as a Jazz player, although he attended the Conservatory in Melbourne and graduated both in Sax and in Flute. An eclectic artist, very active both in contemporary classical music and in jazz, he collaborates with numerous international groups of the most diverse genres. Alessandra, on the other hand, has classic roots but has always been interested in popular, rock and border-line music.
They decided to undertake a path that sees them playing together on the occasion of a record production by Ema Records and the project "Forme nel Verde" in S. Quirico d’Orcia (Siena). In September 2014 they played in the context of the prestigious Melbourne Recital Centre and for the International Festival “Festival of Slow Music” in Ballarat (Australia) and “MONA FOMA” in Tasmania with great public and critical success.
Fem and Zvi Belling
Fem is an award-winning master force in the art of jazz standard’s-singing who has imprinted herself as one of Australia's most formidable and in demand performers. “A breathtaking storyteller through music.” She is a West End leading lady with a fierce CV of Musicals to her name: Liza Minnelli in The Boy From Oz, Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, Fame, Cats, JC Superstar, she has performed at the Royal Variety Show, The Dame Edna Show, The Australian Men’s Tennis Final. Ronnie Scotts, Pizza Express, Soho Jazz Fest, Bennetts Lane, JazzLab, Paris Cat, The Royal Variety Show, North Sea Jazz Fest, Hong Kong Jazz Fest, Melbourne Int Jazz Fest, WOMAD, Stonnington Jazz Fest, White Night, Port Fairy Fest, Wangaratta Jazz, Joy of Jazz (SA), Madajazzcar. Gregory Porter, Emanuel Harrold, Reggie Watts, Femi Kuti, Chet Faker, Franck Amsallem, Shalosh Trio, Joe Chindamo, John Foreman, Allan Zavod, Hugh Masekela, The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra (ARIA nomination)
Zvi Belling is the founder, director and bass player for the Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, Melbourne's premier Afrobeat ambassadors. He also works as a composer and arranger for South African jazz outfit The Royal Swazi Spa, and the live hip-hop project ZEDSIX. He has performed around the globe with music legends such as Gregory Porter, Johnny Clegg, Chet Faker, Femi Kuti, Hugh Masekela and Egypt 80, to name just a few. He is also an architect changing Melbourne’s skyline one building at a time drawing visions and inspirations from Australian street art.
Richard Tedesco
Richard Tedesco is a Melbourne-based Flamenco guitarist, musical director of the acclaimed group Arte Kanela and co-founder of the Kanela Flamenco Bar. He has been part of the diverse cultural fabric of Australia as a representative of the Flamenco guitar for over 30 years, and continually performs and creates to the highest of standards. He has been involved in productions including musical direction for The House of Bernarda Alba, and artistic director for Duende at the Melbourne Concert Hall, Sangre Flamenca and Flamenco Rocks, as well as performing in festivals such as Womadelaide, Womad NZ, Byron Bay Blues Fest and the respective international festivals in Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne. Performances with Arte Kanela have inspired two films by prominent directors Roger Spottiswoode (El Toque de un Beso) and Rhys Graham (Una Noche de Verano). Richard’s appreciation and discipline for the guitar has allowed for in-depth exploration into personal technique, musical expression and rhythmic approaches which remain true to the archaic and anarchic nature of Flamenco. Richard believes in a healthy respect for tradition combined with a desire to tell stories through the exploration, interpretation and improvisation of the instrument and the music he represents.
2019 Song Appetit Series
Song Appetit with Adam Simmons and Alessandra Garosi 6:30pm, Wednesday 30 October 2019 Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/BFLTX
Song Appetit with Fem and Zvi Belling
6:30pm, Wednesday 20 November 2019
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/BFMOY
Song Appetit with Richard Tedesco 6:30pm, Wednesday 4 December 2019 Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/BFMPF
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