Hosted by the Bouddi Society on Saturday, 27 July, sees a return of Jazz Singer Cathi Ogden to Wagstaffe Hall at 7 pm. The Freddie Stafford Trio will join Cathi in celebrating one of the jazz greats.
Jazz has a habit of awakening a sense of wonder in people… a moment that first swept over local singer Cathi Ogden when she cheekily stumbled across an Ella Fitzgerald record as a 17-year-old. Cathi and her cousin, let's say, "borrowed", without permission, a treasured record of the American jazz legend.
Cathi was then a budding jazz singer, mostly listening to Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole and his daughter Natalie Cole.But Ella Fitzgerald was something else. Says Cathi: "Everything I thought I knew about jazz changed. I was instantly in love with her voice…. that voice was like feeling her emotions. It was addictive."
The two teenagers felt guilty… but inspired. "We decided to make a mixed cassette tape anyway. I copied a recording repeatedly as each tape began to wear out." Years later, Cathi discovered that the album is called "Ella Swings Lightly", and she's been singing these and other songs from Ella's repertoire ever since.
Cathi Ogden is now a renowned jazz singer, performing in Sydney, London and New York and releasing three jazz albums. For her 27 July concert, Cathi will introduce to the Central Coast three talented young musicians who share her love of Ella Fitzgerald.
Enter Freddie Stafford on piano, accompanied by his cohorts Jacob Graham on double bass and Tim Geldens on drums—all hailing from the prestigious Conservatorium of Music in Sydney. Freddie is still a student there, although he plays regularly in the Sydney and Newcastle jazz scenes. Plus, he's performed in Europe and the United States.
According to Cathi: "When I spoke to Freddie about doing the show and mentioned "Ella Swings Lightly," he instantly told me about his favourite tracks on the album, and we discussed the beauty of their arrangements."
"In July at this gorgeous venue on Brisbane Waters, I absolutely can't wait to introduce these brilliant young Jazz musicians…with songs from a wide range of Ella's repertoire while sharing stories of Ella Fitzgerald's incredible life and her music."
Cathi's first concert hosted by the Bouddi Society at Wagstaffe in February sold out very quickly, and she hopes others will feel the "Ella" emotion of a live performance. TICKETS: www.bouddisociety.org.au/jazz or at Wagstaffe Store. PRICE: $55.00
