Shelley Scown: The Path to Becoming One of Australia's Top Jazz Singers

Adrian Shelley Scown's journey to becoming a renowned jazz singer was not predetermined, but rather a culmination of her passion for improvised music and her willingness to take risks. As she recalls, her transformation from a classical singer to a jazz artist was sparked by her association with pianist Paul Grabowsky, with whom she joined in 1986. This collaboration not only broadened her musical horizons but also challenged her to push the boundaries of her singing technique.

Key Takeaways:

• Scown's decision to explore jazz music was driven by the freedom to make choices and experiment with her voice, contrasting with the more structured expectations of classical singing.
• Her association with Paul Grabowsky's band was instrumental in her development as a jazz singer, providing her with a platform to learn and grow as an artist.
• Scown's unique style is characterized by its purity and accuracy of intonation, which she attributes to her influences from jazz musicians like Billie Holiday and saxophonists such as Chet Baker.
• Her approach to singing emphasizes the importance of technique, but also the need to trust one's instincts and play what feels authentic to the music.
• Scown's performance at the Como Jazz Festival will feature a string quartet, which she has collaborated with to create innovative arrangements of standard songs.

Statistics:

• Scown has been performing with Paul Grabowsky's band for over 35 years, since 1986.
• The Como Jazz Festival will be held at Como House in South Yarra from 5pm to 11pm tomorrow.
• Scown's program will feature a mix of standard songs and original material, including an arrangement of "The Moon And You" by Grabowsky and Sam Keevers.

Sources:

• Adrian Shelley Scown's interview with Adrian Jackson for the Como Jazz Festival Section of The Age.