World comes for concerts

By Kath Gannaway
FANS of world class live music had a taste of what’s to come with the launch of the 2008 Concert Series at Montrose Town Centre on Saturday.
The program features an exciting mix of jazz, cabaret, vocals and percussion, classical and folk music from some of Australia’s best and well known musicians, including Deborah Conway.
Notorious Melbourne jazz pianist Bob Sedergreen launched the program with a performance his new cabaret show, Hear Me Talking To Ya, featuring highlights from his recently published book of the same title.
In May, award-winning vocal and percussion group Coco’s Lunch will perform their songs from their latest album, Blueprint, which was released in 2007 to critical acclaim and earned the group an ARIA nomination for Best World Music Album.
The group has won the hearts of audiences across Australia, Asia, Europe and Canada with their extraordinary song-writing, skin-tight harmonies and onstage chemistry. They hit Montrose on Saturday 31 May. Dynamic piano, cello and violin trio The Yarra Trio are the headline act in June.
The group, which is currently taking Melbourne by storm, has recently won numerous awards including the 2007 Alumni Chamber Music Prize and the Olwyn Game Award for Chamber Music.
The trio, made up of Holly Piccoli, Chris Howlett and Stefan Cassomenos, will perform a diverse program including compositions by Mendelssohn, Brahms and Greenbaum.
Singer/songwriter Deborah Conway, who burst on to the Australian music scene in the 1980s with the surprise Do-Re-Me hit Man Overboard, will perform with Willy Zygier in November.
The pair, who have been performing together since the release of their platinum selling album String of Pearls in 1991, will perform songs from their most recent release, Summertown, some new tunes from their upcoming album and some old favourites.
Other program highlights include performances from medieval, Renaissance and Celtic fusion duo, Clair de Lune and soprano saxophone and percussion due Fiona Burnett and David Jones.
Special deals are on offer for four or five show subscriptions. For bookings phone 9761 9133 or email montrose@yarraranges.vic .gov.au.