THE VANGUARD (27/2/08) Jade Lumbewe cut an impish figure in a red dress and tousled hair. The fresh bossa of ‘You’re Always With Me’ opened her set with verve and confidence. Backed by four solid musicians who responded to her direction as if connected via ethereal touch screens, Lumbewe’s compositions dove around time signatures and tempos whilst still maintaining an accessible jazz-pop aesthetic. ‘Little Spoon’s Love Story’ was a perfect example of this, with the changes seamless and the song instantly familiar, even for a first listening. ‘Autumn’ was captivating. Played as a trio, it showcased both Lumbewe’s capacity for vocal improvisation in a jazz style, Hugh Barrett’s propensity for choosing luminous and apposite harmonic colours. Less captivating were her two cover choices. The Beach Boys’ ‘God Only Knows’ and Kermit’s ‘Rainbow Connection’ felt a bit Karaoke for my liking - especially within the Japanese themed context of the night. However, Lumbewe’s original music, reminiscent of a jazz inspired Fiona Apple, has sophistication beyond her years. It was performed with humour, grace and sincerity. - Donne Restom, Drummedia 11/3/08.
Hello and many thanks for visiting!
I am beginning my 3rd and final year studying Bachelor Music Studies in Jazz vocal at the Sydney Conservatorium under Kerrie Biddell. My early musical years saw me with the piano, saxophone and cello and a music scholarship took me through high school. My singing career began in community theatre with the role of Marta in the Sound of Music.
Every year I fall more and more in love with composing, being inspired to experiment further as I check out famous and local artists. One of the most rewarding things I could hope for through my composition or performance is to move a listener in such a way that they are inspired to also create, or that they just walk away being able to relate that message to their own lives. I have so greatfully been inspired so many times by so many artists and it is a beautiful feeling. Lyrics are very important to me and I hate to see meaning diluted for the sake of a rhyme. I write of experiences in my life whether in a literal or metaphorical presentation.
I am enjoying composing and/or arranging material for 4-voices and hope to expand and gig with this project in the very near future!
My awesome band brings my music to life and each member contributes something quite unique. I think I have found very talented musical partners in Hugh Barrett (keys), Daniel Babekuhl (guitar), Lindsay Beach (bass), and Rob Turner (drums).
I have performed my original material at Sydney venues such as the Vanguard, the Basement, Candy’s Apartment, The Hopetoun Hotel, Ruby Rabbit, The Rose of Australia, Cat and Fiddle, etc and we have an EP called 'Why September' soon to be released.
I play with different ensembles with a large repertoire of jazz standards. A highlight back in 2006 was playing the Jazz Venue, Soup Plus before it closed down.
I have been very fortunate and grateful to have performed with some of Sydney's finest musicians such as Matt MacMahon, Tim Bruer, Craig Scott, Dave Goodman, Jamie Cameron, Hugh Barrett, Abel Cross and Alex Boneham.
Recent things of fun have been fronting 18-piece Rhino Factory Big Band; doing backing vocals for Kid Confucius; backing vocals for Miss Donne; singing with Live and Swinging on ABC radio/tv (video on the site); and singing the national anthem for the PM in 2007!
I am also half of a duo with guitarist, Daniel Babekuhl and we arrange jazz standards and classic songs *perfect* for functions, background music etc (www.myspace.com/jadedanielduo)
Early Influences: When I was about 12 I pretended I was the guest female vocalist singing a love song with Paul McCartney in the Beatles. I remember I was sitting in our Tarago waiting for my brother to be picked up from his girlfriends place listening to "If I Fell" and believed Paul's harmonies were meant just for me. I was fully aware I was only a little girl with no singing expereince. I was also aware that the Beatles had broken up a few decades prior as well as the fact there would hardly be any chance of reunion as John had died also a few decades before. They were the only two factors that stood in my way.....
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