Zoe Hauptmann announced as the new Artistic Director at Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA)
Zoe says of the new look program “SIMA has been at the forefront of creative music in Australia for more than 30 years and I’m thrilled to bring my vision to this valued organisation. My Sound Lounge program will be an exciting selection of the very best contemporary jazz Australia has to offer. It will be original, imaginative and sometimes challenging music presented in an intimate concert setting”. She goes on to say, “the talent-pool in Australian jazz is astonishing, I plan to showcase these musicians to create what will quite simply be a captivating and memorable night out for everyone involved”.
No stranger to the role, Zoe Hauptmann spent two prosperous years as Artistic Director at the Jazzgroove Association alongside husband and drummer, Evan Mannell. During this time, the couple co-Directed two Jazz:NOW Festival’s at the Sydney Opera House in collaboration with SIMA. More recently Zoe has consulted on the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues program as well as maintaining one of Sydney’s most-loved and long-standing weekly residencies with The Swingin Blades. Zoe is also an in-demand bass player maintaining a busy touring Schedule with artists including Paul Kelly, Neil Finn and Missy Higgins.
Named by Downbeat Magazine as one of the “Top 150 Jazz Venues in the World”, SIMA has built the Sound Lounge into a premiere concert venue for jazz. Hauptmann plans to build on SIMA’s reputation for excellence by featuring new works and rarely heard projects at the Sound Lounge in an annual summer and winter series. These programs will be complimented by club gigs at venues across Sydney as well as SIMA’s flagship event, The Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival held annually in November.
Saturday March 5 The Umbrella’s
Friday March 11 Ten Part Invention 30th Anniversary Concert
Saturday March 12 Tina Harrod Quartet
Friday March 18 Ben Winkelman Trio feat. Sam Anning and Ben Vanderwal
Saturday March 19 Mutiny Music
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