Hopeful Soul

Enjoy a superb night of hopeful soul music performed by award-winning performer Melissa Western, joined by consummate virtuoso violinist Shenzo Gregorio and a talented rhythm section. Humanity at its best is a wonderful force for good and music is a wonderful way to bring people together. So we wish to celebrate this with a night of 'What the World Needs Now' - songs on themes of peace, love and hope, from some of the greatest narrators of the human condition.  Performances will include songs by musical legends such as Roberta Flack, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Carole King, and many more.

A veteran of international jazz circuits (and Churchill Fellow) Melissa Western has done it all - Edinburgh Festival, Women in Voice, Prime Minister Australia Day Celebrations, L’église – Avaux (France), Qld Music Festival, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Brisbane Cabaret Festival, President of Brisbane Jazz Club and ongoing productions sell-out shows throughout Queensland. If you attended our last concert, you will no doubt remember her brilliant, joyful stage presence.

Shenzo Gregorio returns hot off a sold-out New York tour with Backbone that received standing ovations from audiences at the Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts. Shenzo also stands atop a mountain of achievement in the music industry, having freelanced as a highly sought-after performer, composer and musical director for 28 years. He is also one part of Fourplay String Quartet whose 2024 album “Signs of Life” spent over 6 weeks at No.1 on the international Billboard Classical Crossover Chart.  He’s a bit good.

Our quintet will also include rising jazz star Jayde Ellingsen playing both double bass and electric bass (not simultaneously though 😉), the chameleon-like cross-genre talents of veteran drummer Linus Monsour and Freeman McGrath, a homegrown local performing on the exquisite grand piano so generously bequeathed to the Cooroy Memorial Hall by some wonderful local patrons.

Please come along - your ears will thank you and your soul will nourished.  If you’re in, just follow the link above to ticketing site Humanitix to purchase tickets.