A NIGHT OF JAZZ WITH LINDA MAY HAN OH
Doors open 2:30pm
Afternoon concert 3.00pm - 5:00pm (includes announcement of Jazz Awards)

Helpmann Academy and the Elder Conservatorium of Music (The University of Adelaide) are excited to announce an Australian exclusive, GRAMMY award-winning bassist/composer Linda May Han Oh performing at the iconic UKARIA Cultural Centre.

“Her innovative range and stellar improvisations have made [her] one of the most dynamic rising stars in jazz today.” – The Wall Street Journal

Based in New York City, Linda May Han Oh is an internationally leading female bassist/composer. She has performed and recorded with artists such as Pat Metheny, Kenny Barron, Joe Lovano, Dave Douglas, Terri Lyne Carrington, Steve Wilson, Geri Allen and Vijay Iyer. Linda is currently Associate Professor at the Berklee College of Music in the bass department and also part of the Institute for Jazz and Gender Justice led by Terri Lyne Carrington. Linda was featured on bass in the 2020 Pixar movie "Soul" under the musical direction of Jon Batiste (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert), alongside drummer Roy Haynes and was the model for the character in the film - bassist “Miho.”
"Strange Heavens", Linda’s stunning new trio album, with Ambrose Akinmusire on trumpet and Tyshawn Sorey on drums, releases August 22, 2025 on Biophilia Records. Listen to the first single and pre-order the album on Bandcamp HERE

Linda will be adapting select songs from the new album for Adelaide audiences. Playing with a 9-piece ensemble of award-winning students from the Elder Conservatorium of Music; Chair Anderson, Maisie Aitken, Christopher Allen, Millie Curry, Lachlan Durrans, Kallan Francis, Courteney Hooper, Lachlan McGargill, Jacob Phillips and Ruby Zoontjens, and in a more intimate mode with stellar staff members Lauren Henderson on vocals, James Muller on guitar, Stephen Neville on drums and Timothy Clarkson on saxophone.

Linda will also speak on gender equity within the Jazz Industry on Wednesday 13 August (book your free spot here), followed by an open Masterclass with current Elder Conservatorium students on Thursday 14 August (book here). Both of these events compliment A Night of Jazz with wider practical discussions on education, performance technique, and supporting the next generation of emerging musicians.

“It has been more than a decade since I've performed in Adelaide so I'm excited to be coming back to work with these young musicians at the Helpmann Academy.” Linda says.

Join Linda May Han Oh, staff, and graduates playing dynamic new music by one of the world's most celebrated female jazz bassists. In preparation for seeing Linda live, why not check out her 2024 Tiny Desk Concert here!

PRESENTING PARTNERS
Helpmann Academy
The University of Adelaide

SUPPORTED BY
UKARIA Cultural Centre
Government of South Australia, through CreateSA
David McKee AO & Pam McKee

AWARD DONORS
K&S Langley Family
Dr Rob Lyons
Lang Family Foundation
Rod & Christine Cornish
DankPods
Jeremy Duffy, The Chili Crabs
The University of Adelaide
Kim Norman & Family

ABOUT A NIGHT OF JAZZ
A Night of Jazz is Helpmann Academy’s annual Jazz Awards event and concert that honours outstanding musicians from the University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium of Music. In 2025, Helpmann is thrilled to welcome Linda May Han Oh to Adelaide to perform with the top graduating jazz musicians and staff.

Past guest artists include Jazzmeia Horn, Vince Jones, Harry James Angus, Paul Grabowsky, The Hot Sardines, Marquis Hill and Kate Ceberano. This event includes the presentation of the annual Helpmann Academy Jazz Awards.

ABOUT LINDA MAY HAN OH
Based in New York City, Linda May Han Oh is an internationally leading female bassist/composer and is currently Associate Professor at the Berklee College of Music in the bass department, and is also part of the Institute for Jazz and Gender Justice led by Terri Lyne Carrington.

Born in Malaysia and raised in Boorloo (Perth), Western Australia, Linda has received many awards including a 2022 Deutscher Jazz Preis and was voted the 2018-2021, 2023-2025 Bassist of the Year by the Jazz Journalist’s Association, as well 2022 Bassist of the Year in Jazztimes. Linda also was voted 2019 Bassist of the Year in Hothouse Magazine and was the 2020 recipient APRA award for Best New Jazz Work. In 2023 she received the prestigious Herb Albert Award for music and received an Honorary Doctorate from the Manhattan School of Music in 2024.

Linda has had five releases as a leader which have received critical acclaim, her latest – a quintet album entitled The Glass Hours on Biophilia Records. Her latest commissions include “Littoral Tales” a solo piano piece in two movements for Gloria Cheng, and “Ephemeral Echoes” written for percussion trio and piano trio as well as “Mirrors and Shadows” written for piano and bass duo.

ABOUT HELPMANN ACADEMY
The only organisation of its kind in Australia, Helpmann Academy empowers South Australia’s most promising emerging creatives to achieve their visions and build sustainable practices. Helpmann provides professional development opportunities including grants, awards, fellowships, mentorships, masterclasses, workshops, and artist residencies, tailored to South Australia’s tertiary education graduates and emerging artists. Helpmann Academy is a unique collaborative partnership, unifying the skills and resources of the state’s universities.

Contact the host of A NIGHT OF JAZZ with Linda May Han Oh (Afternoon concert + award ceremony)

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