Introducing Sarah McKenzie
Exclusive to The Honest Agent
At 22 years of age, pianist, vocalist and composer Sarah McKenzie is already a musician of remarkable flare and technique.
Since studying at WAAPA, Sarah has won the Jack Bendat Scholarship, the Hawaiian Award for “Most Outstanding Jazz Graduate”, and the Perth Jazz Societies Award for the “Most Outstanding Group of the Year for 2008”.
A recipient of the National Songwriters Competition (ACMF 2002), Sarah has also been a finalist in the prestigious James Morrison scholarship for the last 5 years, and is the only finalist to be nominated in both vocal and instrumental sections.
Sarah has performed at some of Australia’s highest profile Jazz Festivals and events, including the Wangaratta Jazz Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, York Jazz festival, and the Melbourne Women in Jazz Festival. Such opportunities have put Sarah alongside greats such as James and John Morrison, Graeme Lyall, Joe Chindamo, Mat Jodrell and Daryl Sommers.
Sarah made her television debut performing with David Campbell at the L’Oreal Paris AFI awards, and this year sang backing vocals for Michael Buble on the Multi Platinum artist’s “Call me irresponsible” tour.
In May 2009 Sarah won the prestigious Generations in Jazz vocal scholarship. Held in Mount Gambier bringing together many of Australia's most talented young jazz musicians to participate in and compete for the James Morrison Scholarship, the City of Mount Gambier National Stage Band Awards and the Generations in Jazz Vocal Scholarship.
Sarah McKenzie is passionate about jazz and plans to make her career in music. She composes her own material, as well as plays her own arrangements of popular jazz standards.
She works regularly with her own group the 'Sarah McKenzie Septet', which has featured some of the best musicians in Australia, including Mat Jodrell, Troy Roberts, Jeremy Grieg, Danny Sausnjr, Tim Jago and Marc Early. Sarah's trio, as well as members from her Septet band have performed several times with Michael Buble, James Morrison, Jamie Oehlers, and Kate Cebrano.
As well as these groups Sarah also works with many formations depending on the gig. We could organise anything from a guitar and piano duo to 12 piece big band. Her repertoire consists of Bluesy originals and swinging standards, and the style of her groups are likened much to that of Harry Connick Jnr and Diana Krall.
Sarah is available for all functions, weddings, restaurant/piano bar work or any other performance.
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World on a string West coast blues I got the blues tonight Lets fall in love Misty Autumn leaves Take the A train Georgia on my mind Out of nowhere Blue Bossa Round midnight Straight no chaser My funny valentine There is no greater love There will never be another you Stella by starlight Sonny moon for two Wouldn’t it be lovely Exactly like you That’s all Love for sale I'm just a lucky so and so The girl from Ipanema |
Moondance Let there be love I've got you under my skin Come fly with me Route 66 The way you look tonight Save your love for me Willow weep for me Angel eyes Please be kind Dindi Don’t temp me Summertime Gee baby ain't I good to you Cheek to cheek I thought about you Cry me a river Love me or leave me Child is born Down home blues Fly me to the Moon LOVE....etc |
Sarah McKenzie is a musical marvel. She sings with the kind of phrasing that only a true jazz player can come up with, while her groove on the piano is the stuff that makes people want to play jazz! Don't miss a chance to hear this lady perform live."
James Morrison
Review Stonning Jazz 2010 http://ausjazz.net/category/jazz-festivals/stonnington-jazz-2010
As I’ve said previously, vocals are not my first preference when it comes to improvised music, but I regard each vocalist I hear as an opportunity to be educated. So what can I say about McKenzie’s performance? I think it is a big plus that her renditions of her original pieces had the same feel as the Cole Porter and Ellington classics, because the heritage of Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday do seem important to this 22-year-old singer. Close your eyes and listen to McKenzie and it could be a much older woman singing, there is such power, depth and maturity in the voice. There is also warmth and conviction — when McKenzie sings “You’d be so nice to come home to”, she sings as if she has someone in mind. You know it’s not you, but you wish, in that moment, that it could be. That is a sign of how well the singer is projecting the feeling. And clearly McKenzie, as was evident when she sang In My Solitude, is not scared of emotion. She seems to be quite an open person, at least in her stage persona, and that is engaging.
McKenzie’s style of piano is expressive but forceful and that goes well with the hard-driving energy of the sextet. This is robust jazz and it will appeal to audiences who like strong grooves and a swingin’ vibe. McKenzie has the appeal — often people make a point of saying that she has the talent to match her looks — to be an ambassador for jazz. But should that burden be placed on a young musician who simply loves to perform?
Roger Mitchell - journalist with the Sunday Herald Sun and Herald Sun in Melbourne
....Our function went extremely well on Friday night. Sarah Mackenzie is really lovely and the Trio played fabulously.
We received many comments about how great the band was and how their music provided a fantastic background ambience that we were after.
...All in all, it all worked out extremely well on the night. Thanks again for all your help!
Erica Rigoni - Metro Urban Management Pty Ltd
Coolart Jazz Festival 2010
Sarah was received very well by the audiences and I received many complimentary comments about her myself.
Mike Callaghan - Festival Organiser
We had a good day out here with Sarah and the crowd really enjoyed the music. Sarah as very easy to work with and we will look forward to doing a similar event in the future. Please pass on our thanks to Sarah and to you as well for the ease at which the day ran.
Mick Cashman - Otway Estate - Winery & Brewery
...Sarah was just fantastic and so was the guitarist that joined her for the reception. We had several great comments on the music and she did such a fabulous job with our song choices for the wedding ceremony. Thank you for your assistance with this, the day and night all went very well.
Debra Harmon l Group General Manager HG Hotels & Restaurants
| Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 11th Sep, 2010 | 07:30 PM - 10:30 PM | Archies on the Creek |
| Sunday 12th Sep, 2010 | 12:30 PM - 03:30 PM | Archies on the Creek |
| Saturday 09th Oct, 2010 | 07:30 PM - 10:30 PM | Archies on the Creek |
| Sunday 10th Oct, 2010 | 12:30 PM - 03:30 PM | Archies on the Creek |
| Wednesday 20th Oct, 2010 | 08:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Port Macquarie Jazz Fest - Westport Club |
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