Mara! Big Band In Concert - Bellingen

The Mara! Big Band’s “Zashto?” project fulfils Mara Kiek’s long-held dream of a bigger, bolder version of her dual ARIA award-winning Mara! Quintet, featuring the cream of Australia’s jazz and world music Illuminati. Mara! Big Band is a dynamic 13-piece ensemble hovering between Eastern European Gypsy brass band and jazz big band traditions. Members of the Mara! Big Band have performed with artists such as Vince Jones, Bernie McGann, Renee Geyer, the SSO, ACO, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Renaissance Players, Australian Art Orchestra, Ten Part Invention and Synergy Percussion. Featuring Sandy Evans and Paul Cutlan (woodwinds), Steve Elphick (double bass), Mara Kiek (voice and percussion) and Llew Kiek (plucked strings). You’ll see the welcome return of Andrew Robson, alto and baritone saxophones; James Greening, trombone and pocket trumpet; Sam Golding, trumpet and tuba; Gary Daley, accordion; Jess Ciampa, drums and percussion; singers Silvia Entcheva (former member of the famous Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares choir in Bulgaria), Jenny Dornan and Jarnie Birmingham - all soloists from Sydney’s Martenitsa Choir, specialising in the unique Bulgarian traditional female vocal style. Zashto? was commissioned by Mara Kiek with support from Create NSW. Zashto? (meaning ‘Why?’ in Bulgarian language) sets poetry by female Australian migrant and refugee poets, with stories of displacement, hope and longing to exquisite new musical compositions by five current and former Mara! Quintet members.