ABOUT YAS QUEEN

Get ready this International Women’s Day to celebrate the timeless and iconic sound of Billie Holiday. Yas Queen, Meanjin’s premier femme-led jazz band, is bringing together a line-up of some of our city’s most inspiring female jazz artists to pay tribute to the legendary Lady Day. With their electrifying performances and masterful renditions, you're in for an unforgettable night of jazz. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind tribute featuring Yas Queen and their talented friends. Book your tickets now and experience the power of women in jazz!

Featuring

Jess Spina

Jess Spina is an accomplished jazz vocalist in Australia. She placed 3rd in the National Jazz Awards in 2020 and was nominated for the 2022 Freedman Fellowship Awards. With a reputation as one of the finest vocalists in the country, she has performed locally and internationally, including at the Siena International Jazz Workshop in Italy and alongside prominent musicians like Kristin Berardi. She has been praised for her vocal ability by the eminent jazz singer Kristin Berardi, who called her voice "angelic and pure" with "emotional honesty and joy."

Charlotte McLean

Charlotte Mclean is a talented vocalist from Australia known for her velvety smooth voice and unique style. She has received critical acclaim for her original music and has released two albums, with a third on the way. Charlotte is a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and Jazz Music Institute and currently works as a voice and music lecturer at several institutions. She recently presented a paper on teaching approaches for vocalists in jazz music at the ANATS National Conference.

Paula Hackney

Paula Hackney is a multi-talented jazz singer known for her versatility, seamlessly blending the worlds of straight-ahead jazz and old-time blues, making her a unique voice in Meanjin’s music scene. Paula is the lead singer of seminal swing band Melody Graves and the Hokum Redemption, bringing her soulful voice and retro charm to the stage.

Chelle Janse Van Rensburg

Chelle has been writing and frequently performing within Meanjin’s diverse music hub for the last twelve years. She has spent the last three years playing in various jazz bands, singing in 10-piece funk and soul band ‘Willis and the Lovely Ones’, as well as being featured in Harvey Blues of Blues Arcadia’s ‘Celebration of Amy Winehouse’ at AHEPA Hall. She is an independent musician with a natural flair for playing to a live audience with warm, atmospheric feeling. Her message connects to a broad audience, with an ultimate vision of spreading joy and telling stories.

Tee West

Yas Queen’s co-front woman, singer Tee West is a force in the jazz world, weaving musical magic with her silky voice and captivating performances for over a decade. She's graced the stage with the Rhythm Society Dance Orchestra, collaborated with Ladi Abundance, and is a well-loved singing teacher, spreading her love of jazz to the next generation. Whether she's crooning a classic ballad or scatting her heart out, Tee's energy is contagious, and her voice is pure magic.

Mel Lathouras

Mel Lathouras is a versatile jazz singer renowned for her soulful voice and smooth delivery. As co-founder and singer of Yas Queen, Mel has performed at top QLD venues such as Brisbane Powerhouse, QPAC, and The Tivoli. She also showcases her comedic skills as a cabaret singer at the One Trick Pony Club. With a drive to promote female-identify musical talent - Mel is the creator of Femme Jazz - a show giving a stage and platform to female-identifying singers of jazz, blues and soul and has performed as a part of the Powerhouse’s iconic show Women in Voice. You can also find Mel performing in her new project Little Mel presenting a dynamic mix of straight-ahead jazz, soul, punk, blues, and Western swing.

Paula Girvan - Pianist and Music Director

Yas Queen’s Music Director, Paula Girvan is a versatile and accomplished jazz pianist who has been a staple in Meanjin’s jazz community for over 30 years. Her experience as a performer is unparalleled, performing in various jazz formats and with Australia’s iconic band Blues Arcadia, which tours the East Coast and is soon releasing its third album. As a senior lecturer at the Jazz Music Institute, she is a leading voice in jazz education. Her musical direction can be heard in numerous projects and productions, including Yas Queen and the Josh Daveta & The Sequins - Home for Christmas Show. Paula's sophisticated style, musical leadership and technical prowess make her a sought-after musician and a standout performer in the jazz world.

Yas Queen Band:

Piano – Paula Girvan
Double Bass – Casey Glennen
Drums – Katie Randall
Sax – Cassie Whitehead

MORE INFO:
Doors open from 7:30PM
Music from 8pm
Look for the Big Red Doors on Exhibition St!

Can't make it in person? Why not tune into our YouTube live-stream from 8PM AEST instead!

Those who wish to watch a JMI Live performance in person will need to purchase a ticket through our Humanitix page ($20 ENTRY+BF) or on the door.

JMI Live offers a live-stream on our YouTube page, so if you are unable to attend the gig in person, you can still join the celebrations online. Join us from 8PM AEST THURSDAY to keep the music swingin' !