The WAAPA Jazz Vocal Ensemble features the amazing talents of 10 vocalists studying on the jazz and contemporary music courses at the esteemed Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.
Performance highlights include the Perth International Jazz Festival, the Quarry Amphitheatre with WAYJO Swings, WAAPA Sings, and appearances with acclaimed Australian artists, Barney McAll, Katie Noonan, Gian Slater, Megan Washington, Vince Jones, and Ray Thistlethwaiyte (Thirsty Merc) for WAAPA’s annual Jazz in the Theatre productions.
In 2022 the WAAPA Jazz Vocal Ensemble recorded new works by Daniel Susnjar for a project entitled Peruano Canta which were also performed at the 2021 Perth International Jazz Festival.
2023 has been an exciting year for the WAAPA Jazz Vocal Ensemble kicking off with a show entitled ‘The Hits of Paul Simon: Reimagined’ which was performed to a sold-out audience in April and in addition to this they appeared with Grammy award-winning guitar virtuoso, Frank Gambale for WAAPA’s Jazz in the Theatre.
More recently, the ensemble had the wonderful opportunity to work with international artist Varijashree Venugopal, an extraordinary vocalist, flautist, and composer from India.
Directed by Victoria Newton, the ensemble will perform an exciting mix of repertoire that spans world music, jazz and contemporary genres.