Join us in the 2nd Installment of COFFEE TABLE CONFESSIONS - A night of musical sharing by some of Melbourne's finest female singer/songwriters:

STARRING

SHIRLEY DAVIS

She started singing late... She is about to turn thirty six. She started in her mid twenties... Her life has been filled with over ten years of singing experience. Her daughter has been with me everyday.
She has sung in numerous bands now. She started with singing lessons and found herself in countless show. Grand Wazoo was her first band. She joined in 1998. A fun soul outfit which allowed her to learn abou...t Soul and Funk. A sixteen piece large, Grand Wazoo gave her her first experience with many types of audiences and to sing her favourite songs. Which is 'A change is gonna come' by Aretha Franklin.
Since joining them ten years ago she have managed to do many things. I will quickly site some.


She has supported quite a few bands as backing vocalist...or with a band or as a dancer.
Artist such as - Sly Johnson... Betty Harris... Marva Whitney... Bamboos, The late great Wilson Pickett, Sharon Jones and the Dap - Kings. Clarence Reid (a.k.a) Blowfly.... Grand Wazoo, Dinash... Corp band, Star struck... tv show in the 90's. Like Idol... Ha ha.

And the list goes on..

So lots of songs shaped her thoughts and abilities. It has left her feeling like a singer. Recording... Releasing...Performing...Dancing and singing for the last ten years. Many stages. Many happy times.

Her ambition for the next ten years is... more. She wants to... SING. To shape her future and give her more experiences. More travel. More sharing of what she knows. More songs to give!

CHELSEA WILSON

Chelsea Wilson is Melbourne’s newest soul blues vocalist, releasing her debut EP “Bitterness” in October 2010.

Inspired by five true stories of love and pain, the EP documents five emotional tales of heartbreak with true soul sensibility. Recorded with Melbourne’s finest soul musicians, including Lance Ferguson (guitar), Jake Mason (organ) Ivan ‘Choi’ Khatchoyan (drums) and Ben Christensen (bass,) ‘Bitterness’ basks in the vintage sounds inspired by legendary records labels like Chess, Stax and Daptone.

Chelsea began performing at age 3, pursuing dancing and acting until accidentally landing a singing role in a theatre production at age 14, when a fellow cast member couldn’t perform in the set key. But it was falling in love with jazz a year later that really inspired Chelsea to become a professional singer.

After completing 7 International residency contracts, Chelsea returned to Melbourne determined to begin performing her own material and singing her own story. Awarded the Arts Victoria Recording grant for original work, Chelsea launched her debut original project at the Toff in Town late 2010.

Chelsea recently completed a residency series at Melbourne Toff in Town as part of Women of Soul with Kylie Auldist, Shirley Davis. Candice Monique and The Optics, Michelle Martinez, Randa and the Soul Kingdom , Karen Morales and Deep Street Soul.

Chelsea is currently working on new material for her upcoming debut album (to be released 2012).

KAREN MORALES

Karen Morales grew up in Melbourne, Australia and studied contemporary/jazz piano at the Box Hill College of Music. This path led her to experiment with a collage of styles such as Salsa, Funk, Soul, Acid Jazz and Drum & Bass.

As well as studying and teaching music, Karen was an in demand rehearsal pianist for several Melbourne theatre companies before moving to becoming a musical director.

Tired of playing in cover bands, Karen spent 2005 onwards focusing on her own songwriting. After receiving positive feedback for her acoustic demos on MySpace, Karen recorded her first Demo .... “My Everything’’ in 2008 featuring artists such as Jesers (France), Princess Freesia (Australia), Cory Jach (Australia), and James Higgins (Soul Continuum -Australia), Derrick McKenzie (Jamiroquai - UK).

On her return from Europe where she had teamed up with Derrick McKenzie for a writing session in London’s legendary Tin Pan Alley Studios, Karen has since been working on releasing her debut solo album. Stay tuned for the release along with more tunes on MySpace/YouTube/artst.

Karen Morales has showcased her work at Oz Soul Collective ‘Australia Day 2011’, Sisters for Sisters February 2011, Women of Soul June 2011, R.I.S.E Cypher Hip Hop

QUASHANI BAHD

Sharon “Shaniqua” Makombeshamu is the force behind Up and Coming Solo Artist Quashani Bahd™. Born in the heart of Southern Africa; Zimbabwe. She has embraced Melbourne's culture and its diversity and now calls Melbourne home.

She coins her signature style and genre of music "Regglues" as “poetic sweet melodies infused with life experiences, struggles, celebrations, hopes and dreams. A passion for reggae and an adoration for the blues".

Quashani has had much success on Reverbnation with her hit singles “Georgey Porgey & Mista Self Important’. Quashani’s up and coming album “Born to Shine” will show case a variety of styles from various genres; Reggae, Dancehall, Jazz, Blues and Neo Soul. The album is currently in production. A launch date is yet to be scheduled.

Quashani’s strong sense of community has meant that she has had the privilege to be a part of Oxfam's Concert for Refugees 2010, Hope for Uganda 2010, Sisters for Sisters 2011 and also debuted with Dub Vyze Sound at the inaugural and acclaimed Oz Soul'Collective February 2011.

Quashani Bahd’s passion for music has her involved in a number of other music groups; Kundalila (Acoustic /Acapella), Dub Vyze Sound (Reggae/ Dancehall), Ras JahKnow Band (Reggae), Irie (Reggae), Jabula (Community African Choir) and Advent (Gospel Choir).

Her creative pursuits also extend to fashion, particularly accessory design. She founded the House of BohoChic by Quashani in the Spring of 2009. It showcases her bold creations.

AROWE

A captivating performer a delightful lively singer soul-writer, Arowe is an Melbourne born artist to keep an eye on and a very close ear too.

Known for her jazz infused melodic vocal runs and simple guitar rifts, Arowe's song-craft is especially delicious. Previously released single Deaf Silence on the 2009 The Push compilation album Naked in the Woods, saw Arowe perform along side other female vocal talents such as Katy Steele (Little Birdy), Jen Cloher (The Endless Sea).
Be inspired by Arowe's effortless song told stories from the heart.

‘I've been working closely with some very talented producers this year to create an intimate feeling acoustic debut Arowe Album and I can’t wait to get it out!’ Arowe 2011.

Ee'DA

Ee’da is a versatile artist who combines her love for traditional Indian dance, her love for hip hop, soul, spoken word into her performances. She has had to stretch many cultural boundaries of her Indian/Malay Muslim heritage and face many challenges for the chance to live an empowered life and express her personal truths.

Her songs come from a place of deep gratitude for this opportunity. Her boundless stage energy and creative passion has led to collaborations and guest vocalist spots such as Elf Tranzporter, Jornick from Mista Savona Band, MC Hugo and Treats, the Agency Dub Collective.

Ee’da has performed at festivals across Australia including Peats Ridge, Island Vibes, Festival, Rainbow Serpent, Wide Open Space festival, only to mention a few. She has also performed at the Australia Day Concert at Fed Square and at the UN Conference for Global Health .

Her debut EP titled ‘Holographic Love’ is the product of a life lived travelling between the slums of Bombay, India and the most livable city in the world Melbourne, Australia. The album is a product of collaborations with Australia’s top urban producers and musicians including Jake Savona (Mista Savona) , Voodoo Dred (Grrilla Step,Culture Connect), Ivan Choi (Candice Monique/True Live), Ben Last( Electric Eden) and Simon Gorman (Soul Mirage) Adrian shaw (The Red Eyes).

MAY JOHNSTON

May Johnston has performed with bands for genres such as Top 40's, soul, funk, jazz, rock and R&B.She has shared stages with some of the best musicians in Australia.

Her professional experience includes live performances at venues such as Dallas Brooks Hall, Melbourne Concert Hall, 5 star Hotels in Melbourne/Queensland, popular clubs and function receptions across Victoria.

She has performed in front of audiences from an intimate room of 15 to 25000 in close settings to concert halls and festivals.

May has also recorded on soundtracks for Blue Heelers, Halifax fp as well as being hired as a session vocalist for original songwriters. She is currently the lead vocalist for Deep Street Soul along with her funk/soul covers band Mayvis.

Apart from being a vocalist, she is developing her passion in teaching singing and studying piano, bass and guitar. She is currently also learning the basic fundamentals of recording in her own studio with Protools 8.

And featuring DJ Mz RIZK

The night starts early with artists playing from 7:30pm - 10:30pm so come by after work and enjoy the $7 pizza deal  from 7pm & be ready to digest some fine live music.


NOT TO BE MISSED!!!