In Conversation: Linda May Han Oh on Gender Equity in Jazz

Helpmann Academy and the Elder Conservatorium of Music, The University of Adelaide are thrilled to present an In Conversation with internationally renowned, GRAMMY award-winning bassist and composer Linda May Han Oh.

Led by award winning vocalist and Elder Conservatorium of Music Jazz Voice Lecturer Lauren Henderson, Linda and Lauren will discuss the gender equity issues experienced in the jazz industry. Together they will unpack prevalent topics including cultural contexts between America and Australia, initiatives and positive change, male allyship and modelling positive leadership in jazz.

Linda is visiting Adelaide for the first time in over a decade to perform with award winning jazz musicians and staff from the Elder Conservatorium of Music on Saturday 16 August – for the Helpmann Academy’s annual ‘A Night of Jazz’ event.

Linda 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. In 2023, she was awarded the prestigious Herb Albert Award for music and received an Honorary Doctorate from the Manhattan School of Music in 2024. This is your chance to hear more from a global leader in jazz and her lived experience in the jazz space.

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

Attendees are encouraged to provide questions in advance of the session through the options in the booking system or via info@helpmannacademy.com.au, please note live audience questions will not be facilitated on the evening.

This event will be live streamed - if you would like to join us online please choose the livestream ticket option and a link will be emailed to you on the week of the In Conversation. 

ABOUT LINDA MAH 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.

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.”

ABOUT LAUREN HENDERSON

Lauren Henderson is an award-winning vocalist, actor, composer, educator, and devoted mother of two. Renowned for her versatility and artistic range, Lauren moves seamlessly across genres including jazz, R&B, soul, hip hop, folk, music theatre, and pop. Her dynamic and genre-defying approach has led to collaborations with internationally acclaimed artists such as Moonchild, Jazzmeia Horn, Joe Chindamo, Anna Butterss, Matthew Sheens, James Muller, Gian Slater, Michelle Nicolle, Anita Wardell, Anna Goldsworthy, Robyn Archer, and The Lost and Found Orchestra (creators of STOMP!). A certified Estill Master Trainer and accomplished stage performer, Lauren holds an Honours degree in Acting from the prestigious Flinders Drama Centre. Her deep passion for artistic expression and creative empowerment informs both her performance and teaching practice, where she is committed to helping others unlock their full potential through the arts.
Lauren’s accolades include: Winner, National Jazz Awards – Voice (2020); Nominee, Freedman Jazz Fellowship (2016); Semi-Finalist, Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition (Top 20, 2015); Recipient, Helpmann Academy Vocal Jazz Award (2013); Winner, DownBeat Student Music Award (2013). Lauren currently lectures in jazz voice at the Elder Conservatorium of Music in Adelaide, and is preparing to release her highly anticipated debut solo album in late 2025.

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 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.

In addition to this conversation:

SEE LINDA MAY HAN OH PERFORM IN CONCERT AT 'A NIGHT OF JAZZ' THIS AUGUST!

AFTERNOON CONCERT
Saturday 16 August 2025
UKARIA Cultural Centre
Doors 2:30pm
Concert 3:00pm
Click here for tickets!

EVENING CONCERT
Saturday 16 August 2025
UKARIA Cultural Centre
Doors 7:00pm
Concert 7:30pm
Click here for tickets!

PRESENTED BY
Helpmann Academy
University of Adelaide

Photography 
Photographs and/or video may be taken at this event. By taking part in this event you grant the event organisers full rights to use the images resulting from the photography/video filming, and any reproductions or adaptations of the images for fundraising, publicity or other purposes to help achieve the group’s aims. This might include (but is not limited to), the right to use them in their printed and online publicity, social media, press releases and funding applications.

If you do not wish to be photographed please inform the photographer or a Helpmann staff member.