Sandie White & Esmond Selwyn: Friday Night Jazz at Hotel Blue & Conference Centre

It's not every day that Katoomba gets the chance to embrace the unique talent and musicality of two veteran international jazz musicians, as the UK’s legendary jazz guitarist Esmond Selwyn joins forces with leading Australian jazz singer Sandie White for special performances in Sydney, Melbourne and now Katoomba this winter.

Esmond Selwyn has long been recognised as one of the UK’s greatest performing jazz guitarists, a view that has been readily seconded by many. A highly regarded sideman with Don Rendell’s band – one of the UK’s greatest – in the 80’s, he is in great demand for jazz festivals in the UK and Europe, as well as studio work and of course is a noted teacher and educator....

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It's not every day that Katoomba gets the chance to embrace the unique talent and musicality of two veteran international jazz musicians, as the UK’s legendary jazz guitarist Esmond Selwyn joins forces with leading Australian jazz singer Sandie White for special performances in Sydney, Melbourne and now Katoomba this winter.

Esmond Selwyn has long been recognised as one of the UK’s greatest performing jazz guitarists, a view that has been readily seconded by many. A highly regarded sideman with Don Rendell’s band – one of the UK’s greatest – in the 80’s, he is in great demand for jazz festivals in the UK and Europe, as well as studio work and of course is a noted teacher and educator.

“It’s time we wakened up to his genius…” Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings

Esmond’s style forms a direct link with the great jazz guitarists of the past, many of whom are friends such as Tal Farlow and George Van Epps and has appeared on the same bill as Charlie Byrd, Chick Corea and Elvin Jones as well as personally accompanying American jazz giants Art Farmer, Al Cohn and Jimmy Witherspoon.

At the International Guitar Festival of Great Britain in November 2016 with his quartet featuring great British Altoist Tony Kofi, Glyn Akroid of Bido Lito – The Liverpool Music Magazine said: “In Cool Blues and Blue Bossa his fingers do the talking then Nancy with the Laughing Face sees a floating Selwyn solo…while Bernie’s Tune finds his fingers a blur on the fretboard..then when he opens on Coltrane’s Mr PC he demonstrates his famed technical ability….It is apparent that this is a night to sit back and revel in a choice set list delivered with absolute quality”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtbWa07EZqM

In a career spanning 60 years Sandie White – one of Sydney’s top jazz singers – has worked around the globe with such luminaries as Ray Ellington and his 4tet, Ike Isaacs, Dill Jones, Basil Kirchin, Lionel Hampton, Zoot Sims and Oscar Pettiford.

The sublime voice of Sandie White will captivate the audience with soulful renditions of jazz standards, vocalese stylings, and sultry torch songs. Her emotional depth and passion for storytelling will take you on a journey to another era when jazz reigned supreme.

“One of the most convincing interpreters of the standard song in Australian Jazz” Eric Myers, “Jazz” magazine

“White’s vocal range, tonal quality and great jazz feel for expression and improvisation flows unfailingly”
John McBeath, Adelaide Advertiser

Sandie White is not to be missed – she’s cool and she’s hot! AND she’s a treasure, and not to mention that she is Hotel Blue Family!

Join Sandie White & Esmond Selwyn this Friday Night, 6:30-8:30 pm. Come along early if you want a seat as its first come, first served. Bar & Kitchen open, free event. Lounge Sessions @ Hotel Blue is brought to you by 'Music in the Mountains'.

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