Wild Silk Strings Project

Presented by ML Denson & IK James

photo by Steve Barrett

PRESENTER INFORMATION ML Denson & IK James is a partnership formed in 2007 for the purpose of creating original music for live performance and recording. Wild Silk Strings Project is the partnership’s current production,

having begun development in 2014.

[Show name] Page 2 of 14

Contents COMPANY PROFILE ....................................................................................... 3ABOUT THE SHOW ......................................................................................... 3PERFORMANCE SPECIFICS ........................................................................... 6AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT ............................................................................. 8MARKETING .................................................................................................... 9PRODUCTION DETAILS ................................................................................ 13CONTACTS .................................................................................................... 14

[Show name] Page 3 of 14

COMPANY PROFILE Vocalist Ingrid James and pianist/composer Louise Denson have been collaborating on musical projects for more than12 years. They began developing the repertoire and concept for the Wild Silk Strings Project in 2014. This ensemble reflects their interest and involvement in music from a wide variety of genres and cultures beyond but including jazz. With financial support from Arts Queensland and the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Wild Silk has completed their first recording, Colours of Your Love, which will be released in spring 2018. Ingrid and Louise are keen to promote the CD and bring their music to audiences across Queensland. They have done countless live shows together over the years, and in 2007 they recorded their first CD of original compositions and arrangements, Portrait. The song ‘Time to be’ won the Pinnacles Jazz Award for best jazz composition at the QSong awards, 2007. ‘Lonely wing’, also from Portrait, was selected for publication in the inaugural Australian Jazz Real Book (2013). Their song ‘Lost my heart’ was recorded as the title track on a CD by Los Angeles jazz group San Gabriel 7 (2012). Ingrid was the featured vocalist on Louise’s CD Flame Tree (2010), which featured many compositions which were highly commended in QSong and Queensland Music Awards rounds. ABOUT THE SHOW SHOW SYNPOSIS This performance consists of two sets of music ranging in character from cheerful, cheeky and upbeat, to nostalgic, intense and dreamy. Classic songs from the 70s and 80s such as Carol King’s ‘It’s too late’ and Supertramp’s ‘Logical song’ are given new appeal through clever arranging. Brazilian songs tell of the hardships of life and lost love, while Denson & James’ originals journey from Cuban chachacha to bossa nova to tango. The strings add warmth and depth to the ensemble’s sound and create ever-changing combinations of instruments and textures. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The key personnel in Wild Silk Strings Project are Ingrid James and Louise Denson – co-leaders of the ensemble. Louise is the composer/arranger/MD and Ingrid writes lyrics for the original compositions. Ingrid also takes the lead on organizational and business matters. The other 7 musicians are vital to the ensemble’s sound and concept, especially Andrew Shaw (bass) and Eugenie Costello who are the foundations of the rhythm and strings sections respectively.

[Show name] Page 4 of 14

BIOGRAPHIES INGRID JAMES – JAZZ VOCALIST, SONGWRITER, EDUCATOR, VOCAL PRODUCER Ingrid James is an award-winning Queensland jazz singer and a pivotal figure on the Brisbane jazz scene. She has performed extensively around Australia appearing at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Manly Jazz Festival, Kiama Jazz Festival, Devonport Jazz Festival, Brisbane International Jazz, Valley Jazz Festival and the Brisbane Festival Spiegeltent. International highlights include Ronnie Scott’s, 606 Club, Jazz Pizza Express, Spice of Life (London), dates in the UK, Prague and France and opening night at the Blue Note Jazz Festival in Monaco. Her performance with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra's "Spirit of Christmas" was broadcast nationally, and she has sung with the QSO and Queensland Pops Orchestra in Gershwin and Cole Porter tributes. Ingrid has recorded 5 international CDs in the UK, USA and France as well as 5 CDs in Australia. Two won Best Jazz CD at the Queensland Sunnie Music Industry Awards. She and co-writer Louise Denson won the Pinnacles Jazz Award (QSong) for “Time To Be”. Her CD Essence was a finalist in the Bell Awards in 2005. Recent projects include collaborations with such distinguished artists as trombonist Bill Watrous (7 time winner Trombonist of the Year - Downbeat) on LA group San Gabriel 7’s CD Lost My Heart, and saxophonist Eric Marienthal on their CD Blue Confluence. Her latest international collaboration with French pianist/composer Alexis Tchoulakian, Trajectoire, is ready for release by Newmarket music. Ingrid is highly valued as a vocal teacher and coach. She has taught at the Queensland University of Technology and JazzWorx (Jazz Music Institute), as well as managing a large private teaching studio and giving workshops and master classes around the world. She completed postgraduate studies at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Vocal Pedagogy is currently undertaking a Master of Music Studies. Her own personal musical career has received international and national recognition: “Ingrid James has a beautiful tone to her voice, a wide range, makes wide interval jumps sound effortless, and has the dual abilities of being able to uplift lyrics and to scat up a storm.” Scott Yanow, USA, Author of 11 books including The Jazz Singers, Jazz on Film and Jazz on Record 1917-1976, CD Review - Lost My Heart 2012

[Show name] Page 5 of 14

“…[her] note-perfect delivery and depth of lyrical expression has elevated her into the elite of Australia’s musical talents.” Steve Robertson, Portland Observer, CD Review - Lost My Heart 2012

“Her disciplined delivery is mouth-watering, hitting each world with pristine clarity while accenting each though with a silk, sultry resonance…” Mark Channon, USA Jazz Radio Presenter – WWUH Radio W. Hartford, CT, CD – Lost My Heart 2012

“[Essence] turns out to be a recital by a fully integrated quintet of improvisatory travelers, not adverse to eschewing main roads for cross country forays. Ms James uses song materials for her own improvisatory ends, without surrendering the vital signs thereof. I'm pencilling this one in as an early probable for my 2005 "best ten" list. It comes as a most challenging and welcome vocal surprise...” Alan Bargebuhr, Cadence Magazine, New York, 2005 “[Ingrid James] is a fearless and gifted jazz singer for whom the songs are there to be teased, flirted with and milked for all their improvisational potential. [Essence] is much more about life on the edge, about chances taken and pulled off with panache.” John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald, 2005 LOUISE DENSON – PIANIST, COMPOSER, EDUCATOR Louise Denson is a performer, composer and educator based in Brisbane. Canadian by birth, she completed her Masters in Jazz at the New England Conservatory (Boston) in the mid-1990s, studying with such luminaries as Paul Bley, George Russell and Joe Maneri. She has issued 4 CDs containing original music, two on the Newmarket label and two independently. Denson’s unique musical personality is characterized by an emphasis on melody and rich, contemporary jazz harmony. Her extended tenures in Afro-Cuban and Dominican dance orchestras in Montreal during the 1990s influenced her musical tastes, resulting in a frequent Latin flavour in her compositions. Denson’s CDs contain 30 original compositions. Her CD Clean Start won a Queensland Sunnie Award (jazz category), and her composition ‘Time to be’ (Denson/James) received the Queensland Music Award (jazz category). Several of her compositions have been finalists or highly commended in recent rounds of the Queensland Music Awards, including ‘All I know’ (Denson/Hoyt), which was recorded by Bell Award-winning vocalist, Elly Hoyt. ‘Lonely wing’ (Denson/James) has been published in the first Australian Jazz Real Book, and ‘Lost my heart’ (Denson/James) was recorded by the L.A. based San Gabriel Seven featuring the internationally celebrated Bill Watrous on trombone. She is an Associate Artist with the Australian Music Centre where many of her compositions are catalogued.

[Show name] Page 6 of 14

Denson’s most recent has commission was Flora australiae, a concerto for wind multi-instrumentalist Di Tolmie and large jazz ensemble. It was premiered at the Brisbane International Jazz Festival 2018 by Brisbane’s leading big band, E.M.O. She has also completed commissions for Southern Cross Soloists, the Brisbane International Jazz Festival (2014), and St. Paul’s Anglican School Senior Band. Her composition ‘Wild December wind’ was recorded by the Queensland Conservatorium Saxophone Orchestra, and was included in the repertoire for their 2012 European tour. ‘Out of my way' will receive an international premiere at the World Saxophone Congress in Strasbourg in July 2015. Other recent work acknowledges her early training in classical music, with three art song cycles and a piano trio published by Australian music specialists Wirripang. ‘Resolve’ was premiered by Brisbane chamber groups Trichotomy and Collusion (2014), and ‘Pondside’ was recorded and released by the Barega saxophone quartet (2015). 19 of her arrangements for jazz sextet and string trio are in the performance repertoire of Wild Silk Strings Project. As a performer, Denson has appeared with her own groups at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Wangaratta Jazz Festival, Melbourne International Women’s Jazz Festival, Manly Jazz Festival, Valley Jazz Festival, Brisbane Festival (Spiegeltent), and Broadbeach Jazz Festivals, among others. She has collaborated with musicians of national and international renown such as Downbeat poll-winning trombonist Bill Watrous, saxophonists Sandy Evans, Julien Wilson, John Mackey, Martin Kay, James Sandon, Frank Lozano and Adrian Cunningham, trumpeters Miro Bukovsky, Aron Doyle, Bob Schultz and Paul Armstrong, pianist Steve Newcomb, bassists Michel Donato, Mike Milligan, Helen Russell Andrew Shaw, drummers Paul Hudson, Gary Fieldman and Paul Leger. “…a marvellously gifted composer…for those looking for an original voice within the Latin jazz movement, this is a good place to start.” Thomas Erdmann “…expertly crafted compositions from Denson make for a colourful, joyous and spirited journey." Sandy Evans, saxophonist/composer, OAM “…[Denson’s compositions] are not just improvising vehicles, they are pieces, which, with their rhythmic momentum and attractive chord changes, all but ensure that strong improvisations emerge…” Limelight Magazine PERFORMANCE SPECIFICS DURATION Act 1 – 50 min Interval – 20 min Act 2 – 50 min

[Show name] Page 7 of 14

SUITABLE VENUES The show is best suited to indoor venues, but certainly not limited to proscenium arch theatres. Town or community halls, cultural facilities, clubs or outdoors can be made to work. The determining factor is stage size since there are 9 musicians in the group, and sound reinforcement equipment. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PERFORMANCES PER WEEK 5 performances MINIMUM BREAK BETWEEN PERFORMANCES 90 minutes LICENCING AGREEMENTS No special requirements APRA OBLIGATIONS All compositions and arrangements are registered with APRA. Live performance reports will be filed by the artists. TOURING PERSONNEL The touring party consists of 9 people. Name Role Ingrid James Voice, ensemble co-leader Louise Denson Piano, MD, co-leader Andrew Shaw Bass Paul Hudson Drum kit Eugenie Costello Violin Richard Grantham Viola Danielle Bentley Cello Todd Hardy Trumpet Martha Baartz Saxophone

PERFORMANCE HISTORY Year Venue Number of

performances 2018 Queensland

Conservatorium 1

2017 Doo-Bop Jazz Bar 1 2017 Brisbane Jazz Club 2 2017 Brisbane International

Jazz Festival 1

2016 Brisbane Jazz Club 2 2015 Brisbane Jazz Club 2 2015 Noosa Jazz Festival 1 2015 Queensland

Conservatorium 1

[Show name] Page 8 of 14

2015 Studio 188 Ipswich Civic Centre

1

AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT OVERVIEW

It is proposed that workshops on vocal skills, musicianship and/or song-writing will be offered in communities where performances take place. Ingrid and Louise are both experienced educators: Louise has taught jazz at the Queensland Conservatorium for 19 years, while Ingrid has taught privately for more than 20 years. She has also given workshops throughout Australia and internationally. They have many teaching resources available for aspiring musicians at any age or stage of development.

Ingrid and Louise are particularly committed to reaching girls and young women who are interested in furthering their involvement with music and developing their skills. As respected artists with years of professional experience behind them, they are well positioned to act as role models and mentors for young and emerging artists.

The Wild Silk Strings Project ensemble includes three other female musicians, Martha Baartz (saxophone), Eugenie Costello (violin) and Danielle Bentley (cello). Their participation in a ‘non-classical’ ensemble and at the professional level is another demonstration of possible career directions for young women musicians.

DESCRIPTION / DETAILS Workshops would last from 90 minutes to 2 hours. Participants would not need to bring any equipment with them. Vocalists should bring the sheet music for a song they would like to perform. Participants would be welcome to bring a recording device if desired. The focus of work with vocalists will be technique (breathing, alignment, sound production, relaxation, etc) and interpretation of material (meaning of lyrics, telling the story, emotional intent, phrasing and pacing, etc). The focus of work with instrumentalists will be musicianship – aural training, rhythm, harmonic motion, song structure, etc). The focus and pacing of a workshop can be easily adapted to suit the level and interests of the participants on the day. Ingrid and Louise are flexible and used to teaching in a wide variety of situations.

[Show name] Page 9 of 14

COST A one-off fee of $150 each. TARGET AUDIENCE FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT The target audience for the workshops is ideally girls and young women; however we will advertise the workshops to all aspiring musicians regardless of gender, age or level. The workshops will be advertised on social media and via local school music programs, tertiary or TAFE programs and jazz societies. MARKETING MARKETING COPY One line Wild Silk Strings Project: Musical stories from around the world 100 words:

WILD SILK STRINGS PROJECT Wild Silk Strings Project, a 9-piece ensemble led by jazz singer Ingrid James and pianist Louise Denson, presents a rich program of songs from around the world drawn from folk, jazz, Brazilian and classical repertoire. These songs speak of love, longing, nostalgia, hope and joy, and are set to samba, bossa-nova, cha-cha-cha, bolero, funk, and swing rhythms. The lush, beautiful music of Wild Silk Strings Project reflects the vibrant, multicultural society of contemporary Australia by interweaving the voice with brass, winds with strings, the familiar with the new, creating endless new colours, textures and sonorities. 300 words:

WILD SILK STRINGS PROJECT Wild Silk Strings Project, a 9-piece ensemble, has grown out of a long-standing musical collaboration between Australian jazz singer Ingrid James and Canadian-born, Australian-based pianist Louise Denson. Wild Silk Strings Project presents a rich program of songs from around the world, drawn from folk, jazz, Brazilian and classical repertoire. Jazz by its very nature has always incorporated melodies and rhythms from other musical cultures, which makes it a perfect medium for our ensemble to give expression to songs and stories that have universal meaning.

[Show name] Page 10 of 14

The lyrics and melodies in Wild Silk’s repertoire tell stories about the lives of fishermen in a Brazilian village, spring coming to Rio de Janeiro, a Finnish soldier going to fight in WW1 leaving his loved one behind, and eternal themes of love, longing, nostalgia, hope and joy. These stories from around the world are set to rhythms such as samba, bossa-nova, cha-cha-cha, bolero, funk, and swing. Thrown into the mix is an exotic arrangement of Erik Satie’s Gnossienne No. 1, evoking the mysterious sounds of the East that he found so alluring. Classic songs from the 1970s and ‘80s by iconic artists such as Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Gordon Lightfoot are given new arrangements and a new perspective. Two of our original compositions, “Flame Tree” and “Switchback”, describe the unique wonders of the Australian landscape, a continuing source of inspiration for our music and our lives. The interweaving of the voice with brass, winds and strings creates endless new colours and textures and lush, beautiful sonorities. The music of Wild Silk Strings Project reflects the vibrant, multicultural society of contemporary Australia by embracing external influences while celebrating our own lived experiences as Australians, through the art of song writing. MARKETING SUMMARY Target audience is jazz and classical music listeners of all ages. Gigs have been marketed via venue websites, Facebook invitations and artists’ email databases. MEDIA QUOTES "On Sunday 19th February at the BJC, Wild Silk Strings Project, a modern jazz group led by Ingrid James and Louise Denson combining horns, voice and strings, performed an interesting and entertaining set of mature modern jazz. Wild Silk Strings Project has developed into a serious, modern jazz group not afraid to venture into new jazz musical directions". Brian Fane, Radio Jazz Presenter 101.3 FM & 104.9 FM AUDIENCE REVIEWS Endorsements from audience members, musicians, and Brisbane Jazz Club staff of Wild Silk’s performance at BJC on 19 Feb 2017. "Thoroughly enjoyed Sunday night. The arrangements are great, your voice is beautiful and what a treat to have Miroslav and John along with the strings! Those 70's songs brought a couple of nostalgic tears to my eyes too!" Glen Kerridge, Saxophonist

[Show name] Page 11 of 14

"Oh you all lifted my spirits so much, you have no idea! BEAUTIFUL MUSIC! and your voice was perfect!!!" Cindy Donato "Hi Ingrid, I loved the gig. Everyone played beautifully and you are sheer class". Miroslav Bukovsky, Trumpet/flugel (Canberra) "On Sunday 19th February I went to the Brisbane Jazz Club to see Ingrid James and Louise Denson’s “Wild Silk Strings Project". I had missed previous performances because of other commitments. I am so glad that, at last I had the pleasure of seeing this fabulous event. The choice of music was wonderful with a mix of standards and beautifully crafted originals by Louise Denson and Ingrid James. The level of musicianship of all the players was brilliant and world class. The string section really added a melodious and haunting quality to the Latin influenced compositions which made the evening something really special. Louise’s arrangements were superb and it goes without saying that Ingrid’s voice and delivery was top shelf. A truly fabulous evening and it would be a real bonus if those songs could be recorded so that the wider public could have the opportunity of hearing the magnificent Wild Silk Strings Project." Di Clark, BJC Management Committee "As a jazz fan, musician and singer, I am constantly on the lookout for exciting new musicians and groups. I recently visited the Brisbane Jazz Club and was treated to an evening of wonderful music by Ingrid James, Louise Denson and their unique ensemble, Wild Silk Strings Project. Incorporating strings with jazz creates a unique soundscape that is rarely heard and the group's fine playing, interesting and varied set selections from many genres, and great arrangements were an absolute delight. I hope to be able to play and gift their CD to friends and family in the near future." Jeff Hutner, Pianist/composer "This was a night of great arrangements of origInals, familiar songs & standards. Tight ensemble playing with impressive solos, topped with Ingrid's beautiful voice." Des Reid, Guitarist/singer COLLEAGUE RECOMMENDATIONS

“The intriguing thing about Ingrid James is that, where many other singers with such a well established reputation would be content to rest on their laurels, she is constantly seeking ways to re-contextualise herself. Just when you think you have an idea of the sort of singer she is, she dreams up a new project to frame her beautiful voice and you find yourself forced to listen to her with new ears. This wonderful new cross-cultural project is the result of a highly successful collaboration between Ingrid and Louise Denson - and it proves to be the perfect vehicle for both of them to explore and expand on their shared musical interests.

[Show name] Page 12 of 14

The repertoire is broad and eclectic and yet is effortlessly bound together by the treatment it receives in this ensemble - so much so that one feels as though one is listening to a ‘suite’ rather than a simple compilation of tunes for an album. The ensemble, both through the sounds of the individual improvisers and the deft writing and arranging for the strings, brings a fresh ‘sound’ to the repertoire they have chosen to record. The rhythm section grooves are beautifully crafted to provide a solid underpinning for the string quartet textures and in turn, the front-line improvisers appear to dart in and out of the ensemble sound - sometimes appearing deep within the written textures and then emerging to provide a welcome improvised commentary to Ingrid’s narrative.

The song choice on this album gives some hint as to the broadness of Louise and Ingrid’s reach as musicians - and the fact that this album hangs together is a testament to their combined skills and their vision.

From the opening reworking of Eric Satie’s ‘Gnossienne No.1’ through to the Brazilian composer Geraldo Vandré’s ‘Tristeza De Amar’ - and then onwards to Carole King’s ‘It’s too Late’, Supertramp’s ‘Logical Song’ and Gordon Lightfoot’s ‘If you can read my mind’ - the listener is taken on a thrilling journey through an eclectic repertoire with a vast emotional landscape. The boldness and the variety of the song choices on this album means that the ‘sound-world’ has to be strong enough to bind it all together… and it certainly is. The personality of the writing and arranging behind this album makes sure of this and shines through on every track.

Ingrid James always chooses her lyrical narratives carefully and with the intimate and inventive framing of each song by Louise Denson and the ensemble, the complete package of this album delivers on so many levels. It is a real ‘album’ and it needs to be taken in its entirety if one is to appreciate the scope of the project. This is a great project, lovingly put together - as you would expect from musicians of this calibre - which has been executed with consummate skill and artistry.” Pete Churchill, Professor Jazz Composition, Royal Academy of Music, London – singer/pianist/conductor

"… Every work undertaken by this ensemble and its founders is of unique value artistically and aesthetically. The overall effect goes beyond being entertaining and refreshing, reaching to the core of the art forms embraced in their presentations. My experience as a professional in this field is that Wild Silk is a deserving project characterised by authoritative and disciplined talent and creative musical and cultural exploration.” Dr. Michael Knopf, Guitarist/composer/educator

[Show name] Page 13 of 14

VIDEO LINKS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4yStaJJZm4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTI9OgU1TEk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGyeZizE7MA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AXZ9XBC0ew IMAGES Hi-res images are available. Contact artists directly. MARKETING MATERIALS E-flyers Band photos Photos of Ingrid James and Louise Denson Videos on YouTube CONTENT WARNINGS / AUDIENCES TO AVOID No content warnings. SPONSOR OR OTHER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Arts Queensland Arts Ignite Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University Text and logos to be supplied as needed. TEACHER’S RESOURCES Many available PRODUCTION DETAILS TECHNICAL SUMMARY Venue to supply: Acoustic piano (tuned) or keyboard (weighted keys) Bass amp (Jazz) Drum kit P.A. (6 channel minimum and 5 microphones) 3 chairs 8 or 9 music stands EXAMPLE SCHEDULE Arrive at venue 2.5 hours prior to show time. Bump in and sound check can be done within one hour

[Show name] Page 14 of 14

CREW REQUIRED FROM VENUE 1 sound technician who is also familiar with lighting in the venue. STAGE 4 m x 3 m minimum, no height restrictions LIGHTING No specific lighting needs except enough light on stage to read music. SOUND Wild Silk Strings Project to supply Instruments Vocalist’s microphone String players have their own ‘bud’ microphones Venue to supply Acoustic piano (tuned) or keyboard (weighted keys) Bass amp (Jazz) Drum kit P.A. (6 channel minimum and 5 microphones) 3 chairs 8 or 9 music stands FREIGHT NOTES Musicians can bring everything with them, no need for loading dock. CRITICAL ISSUES No complicated staging or unusual needs. CONTACTS Ingrid James ingridjames@optusnet.com.au 0414 382 254 Louise Denson louisedenson@optusnet.com.au 0437 998 096