In partnership with Regional Arts Victoria, Jazz High Tea is set to be held in six regional towns next month. For Quiet Riot production company founder Ms Catalano, the opportunity to host an event in Tallarook was too good to refuse.
“I just think Talarook is a gorgeous town and we were locked out of the regions for so long. I'm looking forward to the drive, and being in the open air,” she said.
“I know that the musicians are really excited about exploring the region ... and I'm looking forward to the Mechanics Institute.
“It's got a beautiful industrial look and I'm excited to bring something that might be perceived as old world into it.”
Jazz is one of Ms Catalano’s biggest passions and that shines through as she discusses the history of the genre and its classic tunes.
“The standards really speak to the very basic struggles in the human condition that we can all relate to. They’re often about experiences of unrequited love or of being a different type of human being.
“But I think what's great about a jazz high tea setting is that people come along to socialise and they hear those standards again, and it's an opportunity for us to remind people how fantastic the genre is.”
Ms Catalano said the jazz on display at the high tea won’t be defined by “black skivvies” and “experimental” music.
“It's very much an occasion experience and people do like to dress up, put pretty dresses on and make an afternoon of it,” she said.
“I hear time and time again from people who have been brought along because they know so and so who likes jazz, but it's not really their thing. They come up to me at the end and they're like, ‘that was so fantastic. I'm gonna come again’.”
Those attending the Jazz High Tea in Tallarook can expect “playful, sultry and heartfelt” music complete with drums, piano, guitar, saxophone and bass from Tamara Kuldin and her band.
Jazz High Tea Tallarook will be held at Tallarook Mechanics Institute on Saturday, May 7, from 3pm to 6pm. Cost is $55 per person and includes a glass of local sparkling wine. Profits go towards Goulburn Options’ ‘Artist-in-Resident’ program.
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