Hetty Kate: Bass² Quintet
- Live at The Count's
- The Count’s
The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts
Monash University Clayton Campus
$15 - $29
Past Event
Based in Paris since 2017, British/Australian vocalist Hetty Kate came up in the vibrant Melbourne jazz scene, mentored by some of Australia's most treasured jazz musicians. Alongside her 'natural musicality', clear tone and impeccable timing you'll find it's Hetty's warmth and razor-sharp wit that truly set her apart, artfully blending poise and humour with a great love for the music, the musicians and of course, the audience.
Hetty has been touring internationally for almost two decades, gracing stages large and small from New Zealand to New York and Brussels to Bergen. She has toured and recorded with Australian jazz luminary James Morrison, performed with Rick Margitza, as well as classical pianists Simon Tedeschi (AU) and Charl de Plessis (SA). She performed as Ava Gardner in Ava at the End of the World, an original musical written by Eric McCusker (Mondo Rock), was the featured vocalist in James Morrison’s award winning symphonic concert ‘The A to Z of Jazz’, and even played herself in Herve Hadmar’s tele-series ‘Romance’ for France2.
For Hetty’s concert at The Counts she is delighted to present her Quintet, Bass² – a distinctive jazz ensemble featuring two guitars and two double basses. The combination of more than one double bass in a jazz setting is unusual, yet echoes the spirit of classic albums such as ‘Super Bass,’ ‘Two Bass Hit,’ and ‘We Three.’ Similarly to the guitar, the double bass’s beautiful timbre occupies a distinct sonic space, offering a beautiful counterpoint to the human voice. And indeed, what could be better than one bass? For Hetty, the answer is two!
Traversing a sparkling repertoire of classics, curios and surprises you’ll find this quintet is infused with delight, as joy, playfulness and most of all friendship shine through. With celebrated Melbourne musicians, Sam Lemann and Craig Fermanis (guitars) and Ben Hanlon with Ben Robertson (double basses) this is a concert not to be missed.
Hetty Kate – Voice
Sam Lemann – Guitar
Craig Fermanis – Guitar
Ben Robertson – Double Bass
Ben Hanlon – Double Bass
“A stage presence only matched by the clarity of her voice…”
James Morrison OAM (Australia)
“one of the most interesting collections of songs I’ve heard from a vocalist in a long time. One rarely hears a repertoire of such quality.”
Eric Dunan, Loudmouth Magazine (Australia)
“Her vocal line is poised, and her phrasing is precise, on point.”
Alain Thomas, Couleurs Jazz (France)
“Beautiful, enchanting… a big future ahead!”
Christian Bragg, JazzFM (UK)
