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Jo Lawry Album launch feat. Linda May Oh and Ben Vanderwal (USA/Aus)

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Event Details
The WollCon Jazz Series launches with an exclusive premier featuring international trio – including 2023 Grammy Award Winner Linda May Han Oh.

The Wollongong Conservatorium of Music will host an exclusive NSW performance of vocalist Jo Lawry’s new album “Acrobats” to open this year’s annual Jazz Series. The all-star trio will feature Grammy award winning bassist Linda May Han Oh and Perth-based drummer Ben Vanderwal.

Lawry recently returned to Australia after several years abroad where she performed and recorded with Sting as well as working with the likes of Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon.  Her recordings have received rave reviews including a 4.5 out of 5-star review in Downbeat Magazine for her debut album “I Want to Be Happy.”

“Acrobats”, which will be officially released the day after her performance in Wollongong, is a playful album that embodies both the freedom and exquisite complexity of jazz.  Lawry explores how to use her voice to function as a horn player with only a bass and drums without the benefit chords.

Award-winning bassist Linda May Han Oh, who is a collaborator on the album will join Lawry for this exclusive performance in Wollongong.  Malaysian born Oh was raised in Western Australia before moving to New York where she’s now a successful band leader.
Linda was announced as the winner of the 2023 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental album with Terri Lyne Carrington, Kris Davis, Nicholas Payton, and Matthew Stevens.
She is also the bassist, playing the character “Miho” for the Pixar animated Soul, where her movements playing her instrument were captured and translated to the animated character.

Drummer Ben Vanderwal, is one of the most in-demand jazz drummers in Australia, and has previously toured with the Tim Minchin vs Orchestra production.

Linda, Jo and Ben

Musicians
Linda May Han Oh (double bass) | Jo Lawry (voice) | Ben Vanderwal (drums)

Concert Details:
WHERE: WollCon Auditorium – Gleniffer Brae
DAY/TIME: 9  March (WollCon Jazz Combo support set 7pm | Jo Lawry Trio 7:30pm).
TICKETS: General – $37, Concession – $32, Student – $27

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Anne Mowbray

Director

Anne has been a member of the Wollcon Board since 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from UNSW. She is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law and an accredited Mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. She has taught family law and other subjects at Wollongong University.

For a number of years she has been a subscriber to the Australian Chamber Orchestra which regularly performs in Wollongong . She has been passionate about music and in particular music education to children and adults.

Jake Pearson

Director

Jake has worked in the disability sector for 24 years- 17 of these with Interchange and 7 years as their CEO. Jake is passionate about inclusion and equality for both people with disability and their carers.

He holds an MBA, Bachelor of Commerce, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, as well as completing Diploma’s in Case Management, Community Services Coordination and the AICD Company Directors Course.

Jake is also a committee member on the International Short Breaks Association Board and has been a Director on the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music Board since 2022.

Wayne Morris

Director

Wayne is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors as well as being a qualified company secretary and accountant with over 35 years experience in banking and finance. He performed for nine of those years as Chief Executive of IMB Ltd, and the preceding seven years as Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, also with IMB. Wayne’s primary expertise is in the areas of governance, management, accounting, risk management and banking and finance. He has spent his whole life living in the Illawarra and is passionate about ensuring the Illawarra can provide the best possible opportunities and lifestyle for its residents. In 2024 Wayne was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to the community.

Dr Terumi Narushima

Deputy Chair

Dr Terumi Narushima is a senior lecturer and Music Discipline Leader at the University of Wollongong. She is a composer, performer and sound designer specialising in microtonal tuning systems. Her works include Tritriadic Chimes, a sound installation for LA MicroFest, Hidden Sidetracks, a composition for custom-made instruments premiered by Ensemble Offspring at Sydney Opera House, and a project to build microtonal flutes using 3D printing. She has worked on theatre collaborations which have been presented nationally and internationally, including Yasukichi Murakami: Through a Distant Lens, Lost in Shanghai, and The Story of Chi. She performs with microtonal ensemble Clocks and Clouds, and her book Microtonality and the Tuning Systems of Erv Wilson is published by Routledge.

Nicky Sloan

Chair

Nicky is the CEO of Community Industry Group. She has degrees in Dementia Care, Community & Environment and Marketing, and a Grad Dip in Project Management. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an Honorary Fellow of UOW. In addition to Chairing the WollCon Board, she is Deputy Chair of the Regional Development Australia Illawarra Shoalhaven Board and an Independent Non-Executive Director of Warrigal, a large not-for-profit specialising in the provision of services for older people.

Her corporate governance and strategy experience extends through a 20+ year career on boards in the corporate, government and NFP sectors.