Geelong Jazz Soirées

A music series celebrating Geelong's strong jazz culture in concerts featuring some of the regions best established and emerging talents.

For this first afternoon award-winning international pianist and composer Callum Watson is joined by jazz singer Shandelle Cooke in an intimate afternoon of jazz standards by the piano.

Shandelle McGennisken (Cooke) is a Geelong based jazz singer and band leader. She currently performs with the Shandeliers in addition to singing each weekend at Piano Bar, Geelong. Prior to this, she spent five years leading the Shandelle Cook jazz quintet.

Originally an entertainer on cruise ships with Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line, Shandelle honed her craft as a vocalist, performing up to seven nights a week, ranging from small jazz gigs to full-blown musical theatre productions, delighting audiences throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

Shandelle's style and repertoire are influenced by the classic jazz, soul and Motown artists of the 1950's and 1960's, including artists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin.

Callum Watson is an ambassador for young Australian jazz and classical talent, a well-established pianist and composer, and a prolific producer spanning across jazz, classical and theatre.

In addition to winning the Margaret Schofield Scholarship for composition, Watson has won a variety of awards including from Melbourne Fringe Festival, state and local governments and internationally from orkest de ereprijs (NL).

As a composer, Callum has written original scores for nine theatre productions including one musical and also has a diverse portfolio of concert works which have been played by ensembles internationally.

Critics see Callum “as one of Australia’s most exciting composers and pianists”.

Geelong Jazz Soirées

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