Noria Letts – La Musique

From the verve and swing of France’s jazz scene to the smoky intimacy of Melbourne’s top clubs, acclaimed French chanteuse Noria Letts brings her signature blend of authenticity, elegance and fire to La Musique—a thrilling night of contemporary French jazz.

“Absolutely authentic… A voice like Cognac.” — The Age

Born and raised in Burgundy, Noria honed her craft at Dijon’s Conservatoire de Jazz before performing in clubs across France, Canada and New York City. Now based in Melbourne, she’s one of the city’s most captivating live acts, regularly selling out Bird’s Basement, Paris Cat and Sydney’s Foundry 616. From festivals like Bastille Day and OZ Manouche to singing La Marseillaise before 50,000 fans and a global TV audience at the Matildas–France match, she brings grace, passion and power to every note.

In her one-night-only debut at The Count’s, Noria and her stellar band deliver a fresh, vibrant take on contemporary French jazz—an evening of virtuosity, improvisational joy and high-spirited storytelling. Their repertoire spans French icons like Gainsbourg, Michel Legrand and Camille Bertault, to jazz legends like Coltrane (with Giant Steps in French), Thelonious Monk and Dave Brubeck, with a nod to the great Parisian live recordings that shaped jazz history.

The ensemble features a world-class lineup of Australian jazz artists, each bringing their own creative depth and experience:

Steve Sedergreen – One of Melbourne’s most respected jazz identities, Steve is a pianist, arranger and educator with an illustrious career spanning decades. Founder of the genre-defying group Mistaken Identity, he has performed at major festivals including the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, curated Dizzy’s Jazz Club, and mentored the next generation of Australian jazz talent—including members of The Cat Empire.

Reza Kashi – A gifted multi-instrumentalist, Reza brings texture and cultural resonance to the ensemble with his oud and guitar work. His playing reflects the rich Maghrebi influences found in Noria’s heritage and in modern France’s multicultural soundscape, adding rhythmic and melodic complexity to the band’s contemporary French flavour.

Nick Haywood – With over three decades as one of Australia’s most in-demand bassists, Nick has performed at every major jazz festival in the country and toured extensively throughout Europe, the US and Asia. A founding member of the Bennett’s Lane Big Band, he has been nominated for multiple ARIA Awards and continues to lead and collaborate on innovative projects across the jazz spectrum.

Phil Collings – Drummer, composer and producer, Phil is one of the most versatile and brilliant players around town, having recorded internationally with the likes of Wouter Kellerman (Grammy Award Winner 2014) and Alexander Schubert (BIFEM 2015), through to legendary rock iconoclast Kim Salmon.

Jon Hunt – An internationally renowned saxophonist and clarinettist, Jon has collaborated with industry legends such as Paul Kelly, Loudon Wainwright III and Vince Giordano. He has toured the globe with Lauryn Hill, Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks, and the Gordon Webster Band.

Don’t miss this unforgettable night of French flair, world-class musicianship and cross-cultural jazz reimagined—one night only at The Count’s.

Doors 6.30pm Show 7.30pm

Eat & Drink

Make a meal of it! The music gets underway at 7.30pm, but arrive a bit earlier if you can. From 6.30pm, enjoy pre-show dinner and drinks at The Count’s Italian-style kitchen and bar. Reservations are not required when you purchase a ticket to a show. Order from the QR code on your table, or at the bar. View the menu.