JulieOHara

Melbourne, Australia

Hi, I'm an improvising vocalist, composer and producer, performing in the Naarm/Melbourne music scene and internationally for over three decades, with prolific output across various genres of jazz and contemporary music, including the often over looked subgenre of vocalese. The influence of vocalese and improvisation is at the heart of my song writing, using the voice in creative ways to explore rhythm and expression. I fell in love with the sound of jazz quintets from the 40’s and 50’s, where masterful players were forming bands to explore improvisation outside of the more contained structures of big band arrangements. I have always been moved by the sound and phrasing of horn players and composing lyrics to these solos was a natural thing for me to do. It has certainly informed my songwriting and improvisational style. I perform R&B swing (Pearly Shells), Jazz manouche (Ultrafox), contemporary jazz, vocalese, bebop and big band jazz. I love all music, from bluegrass to hip hop.