Stella Anning

Naarm/Melbourne based, Stella is a versatile guitarist, singer/songwriter, composer and performer, continually seeking for innovative sounds across genres. With an established background in jazz and composition, Stella’s practice has recently expanded to incorporate the singer/songwriter genre and

aesthetic in her work. Recognised as a musician, a part of a new generation of jazz in Melbourne, her work has expanded and evolved in parallel with her life which has been transformed by becoming a mother. Stella’s new found pathways of experimentation in songwriting and the discovery of her

voice as an expressive instrument is a lateral extension of the foundation of musicianship developed over decades as a practicing artist.

Since graduating with a Bachelor of Music in 2007, Stella has become a highly sought-after session musician, performing with various artists such as Guy Sebastian, thndo, C.W Stoneking, Kylie Auldist, Nina Ferro and Clare Bowditch. She has toured domestically and internationally and her playing features on dozens of recordings across myriad genres. Stella also spent sometime performing in the Australian Army Band, which took her to performing in Japan and all across Australia, including many remote Indigenous communities.

As an ensemble leader and guitarist, Stella has released two instrumental albums; STAT and Paper Planes, that feature some of Australia’s most celebrated improvisers and has toured nationally performing these original works at venues and festivals including Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Northcote Rising Festival, Northcote Social Club (Melb), The Ellington (Perth) and Lazybones (Sydney). Her first album featured Tony Floyd on drums and Sam Keevers on piano, with emerging bassist Alex Yeap on double bass. The album also featured the Cello on one composition.

This was an album Stella wrote entirely herself and released the year after she had completed her bachelor studies. The album featured 10 original compositions and highlighted Stella’s musicality and determination on establishing herself in the jazz scene. Stella second album ‘STAT’ received rave reviews and saw Stella’s musical aestetic diversify across genres and music scenes across Naarm. The trio were invited to perform supporting blues/rock

guitarist Ashley Naylor, Melbourne jazzer Alexander Nettlebeck and other various artists from eclectic backgrounds, expanding Stella’s fanbase and also introducing Stella to a larger network of Naarm musicians.

Stella’s evolution into songwriting will be represented in an upcoming release in June 2025, inspired and influenced by a community of artists that surround her in Naarm, allowing this new work to be a reflection of the diversity of artists and artistic practice in Australia’s cultural capital city.

Recent career highlights include Banff Jazz and Sonic Arts residency (2024) where she was mentored by Shabaka Hutchings and Ganavya, Mentorship with Aaron Choulai through the Australian Art Orchestra (2023), performing at Bluesfest (Women of Soul, 2024), Clarence Jazz Festival (2024),

guest artist at Sydney’s Sound Sorcery jam (2024), National Folk Festival (2023) and STAT performing for Melbourne International Jazz Festival (2023).

Current projects and activities include guitarist and backing vocalist for artists such as John Flanagan, ISEULA, Sal Kimber, LHËON, Women of Soul Collective and the JazzLab Orchestra.

Beyond her performance career, Stella is dedicated to mentorship and education, having lent her expertise to not-for-profit organisation YoWo Music, a band program that aims to promote gender equity in the music scene, while empowering and nurturing the next generation of young women and

gender-diverse musicians.

THE ALBUM: YELLOW BRICK VENEER - Stella Anning (RELEASE TOUR 19 SEPT - 5 OCT)

Written from lockdown up to now, the album chronicles a transformative time in my life – becoming a mother, navigating personal challenges, and finding clarity through music. Each track explores themes of connection, vulnerability and the courage to face life's complexities.

I’m excited to share these deeply personal songs, offering a glimpse into the human experience as we navigate the ups and downs of life. This band brings together some of Naarm's finest musicians, blending jazz, soul, and indie influences to create an exciting, dynamic sound - with Kyrie Anderson on drums, Selene Messinis on keys and Richard Rose on bass.

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stellaanningguitar

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StellaAnningMusic

Bandcamp https://stellaanning.bandcamp.com

Website https://www.stellaanning.com

Soundcloud https://on.soundcloud.com/f7kK6NIeg5IZHAHlZd

Contact the host of Stella Anning