Resonance: Barnes, Berardi, Evans, Keller

Co-leaders Sandy Evans (saxophones) and Andrea Keller (piano) stand among Australia’s most distinguished contemporary jazz musicians. They are joined by Kristin Berardi, an internationally renowned Australian jazz singer now based in Switzerland, and Jenny Barnes, whose vocal practice grows out of her deep study of linguistics in improvisation.

The suite draws on their shared experience of building a creative life while caring for partners, children, ageing parents and community. It speaks to the demands placed on women, and to a jazz scene, and a society, still slow to recognise them. Lyrics for the project were commissioned, premiering new works by Michele Morgan, Hazel Smith and Andrea Keller alongside poems by Sara Teasdale and Jeannie Greensfelder.

‘Each piece contained a structured section where Berardi interpreted the lyrics, her gorgeously expressive voice alighting on each word with grace and tenderness, and a free section where Barnes offered an improvised response to the poem in wordless sounds and instinctive gestures.’ Jessica Nicholas, The Age

This project will inspire meaningful conversations about gender, creativity, and the challenges faced by women in the arts.

Photo credit: Hayley Miro Browne