On Thursday April 19 the Down South Jazz Club presents a very special night of entertainment at Club Sapphire with Parisian band The Dirty Ragtimers.
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Comprising Australian singer and violinist Heather Stewart with Parisian guitarist and singer Lucas Montagnier, they will be very ably backed by Australian bassist Leigh Barker.
They sound like string and jug bands with great vocals, harmonies, finger-picking guitar and crying violin, but with a new and unique style.
After recently relocating to Paris, jazz and blues musician Stewart jammed with musician Montagnier. They played all night to a rapt audience and have worked together ever since.
After the first song at their first busking session, the duo were approached for a residency at Montmartre's Chez Camille and they are busy building concerts and fans all over Paris.
Stewart and Montagnier share a passion for stunning old blues, jazz, folk, ragtime and spirituals. They sound like string and jug bands with great vocals, harmonies, finger-picking guitar and crying violin, but with a new and unique style.
From the venues and streets of Paris, The Dirty Ragtimers are collecting fans from all over and are a band to watch. They have an original sound drenched in history. They write arrangements and stylistic originals, and bring the 1920s and 30s roaring to life.
Barker was born and raised in Canberra, where he spent his formative years studying with American bassist Eric Ajaye at the Canberra School of Music.
His move to Melbourne in 2003 provided much professional experience, with Barker proving to be a popular accompanist for the cream of the contemporary and traditional jazz scenes. He has been adapting the early blues material and combining it with jazz and compositions from the other band members, to create a mix of jazz, swing and blues that is unique.
He has appeared for the Down South Jazz Club on a number of occasions over the last 10 years, firstly with The Leigh Barker Quartet in 2007, in 2011 and 2014 with Hot Jazz Alliance and in 2012 with The New Sheiks, which also featured The Dirty Ragtimers vocalist Stewart.
This will be a rare opportunity to hear an international band without having to travel to a major city. Cost is $15 for jazz club members and $20 for visitors.
Seats and table bookings can be made by ringing Aileen or Kevin on 64959853, by email on bookings@downsouthjazzclub.org.au, or will be available at the door. Music will commence at 7.30pm.
