Exploring the path from classical lessons and choirs to jazz and cabaret
There’s something magical about radio interviews – that moment when you’re invited to share your musical story with an audience you can’t see, trusting that your words and music will find the right ears. My recent conversation with Emily Sutherland on 5MBS Kaleidoscope aired on September 17, 2025 was one of those special moments, and I wanted to share some reflections on what we discussed.
The Voice That Surprised Everyone
One of the most revealing parts of our conversation was discussing how my deep voice has shaped my entire musical journey. As Emily noted, even as a child, my voice startled and confounded people. There’s something about female voices that challenge our stereotypes – when you identify as contralto (which voice type is true in only about 1% of women), you quickly learn that your voice doesn’t fit conventional expectations.
During my classical training with Vivienne Haynes at Elder Conservatorium, having my voice officially identified as contralto was both validating and daunting. Suddenly, those years of struggling to sing along with higher female voices made sense. But it also meant confronting the reality that contralto roles in opera are often matronly characters, and there simply aren’t very many of them. They seemed rather unappealing at the age of 21!
Finding My Place in Jazz
The turning point came during an unexpected moment. I was working as a calligrapher in a little card shop called Kenny’s Cardiology in the Myer Centre basement in my early 20’s, surrounded by the soundtrack of jazz and blues music. Sitting there writing greeting cards, I found myself naturally singing along – not just with the female vocals, but with the male ones too.
That’s when it clicked: this music lived comfortably in my range. Artists like Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra weren’t just inspiration – they were showing me where my voice belonged.
The Leap from Singing Along to Performing
Of course, there’s a vast difference between singing along in a basement card shop and actually performing. My first solo foray came through 3D Radio’s Hillbilly Hoot program, where I nervously performed “Cry Me a River” – inspired by Julie London’s haunting version from a British crime show soundtrack.
That moment taught me something crucial: sometimes we find our courage not through grand gestures, but through small steps. From backing vocals in bands to the Daniel O’Connell open mic night, each experience built the confidence to move from being a comfortable second alto in choirs to standing front and centre with a duo or band.
The Power of Storytelling
What emerged most clearly during our radio conversation was how my approach to performance has evolved. After working with mentors Amelia Ryan and Michael Griffiths to develop my cabaret show “Hear My Voice,” I discovered something profound: the difference between simply performing for people and sharing with them.
Emily picked up on this immediately – how the storytelling component transforms a standard jazz gig into something more intimate and connecting. When I share not just what I’m singing but why certain artists or songs shaped me, the evening becomes a connection point and evolving conversation rather than just a performance.
This is what I’m bringing to my upcoming Dinner/Shows at Gingers Vintage Lounge Bar this year on September 27th and November 29th. It’s that blend of musical skill and personal story that seems to resonate with audiences who crave deeper connection with the music they’re hearing.
Embracing Authenticity at 50
Perhaps the most honest moment in our interview was discussing how reaching my 50s has changed my relationship with my voice. After decades of wondering if there was something wrong with me for not being able to sing in a higher range, I’ve finally reached a place of acceptance and even celebration of my voice type and range.
Your 50s offer a particular kind of freedom – the liberty to say “this is who I am, and hopefully you’ll be okay with that, but I am.” Whether it’s the way my deep voice can command attention or sometimes intimidate people, or the way it can traverse songs tradtionally sung by men, I’ve learned to embrace it as part of my identity rather than something to overcome or defend.
The Magic of Musical Partnership
I was thrilled to share insights about my decade-long collaboration with pianist Ed Heddle. Meeting him at a friend’s cabaret show and simply asking “Would you be interested in working with me?” turned into one of those rare musical partnerships where you start to predict what’s going to happen next, where you can cover each other when things go awry.
Our shared classical background combined with jazz training creates a unique synergy. We respect both traditions, sometimes allowing classical elements to emerge in Ed’s solos or letting me showcase his considerable skills alongside my own so the duo becomes a true partnership rather than just the piano or keyboard accompanying me.
Looking Forward
As we discussed future plans – potential touring, developing new repertoire spanning from traditional jazz to contemporary artists like Gregory Porter and Diana Krall, what struck me most was how this radio interview captured a moment of transition.
I’m moving more deliberately toward crafted performances where storytelling and music interweave, where audiences learn not just about the legendary voices that shaped me, but about the person behind the microphone sharing these stories.
The Gingers Experience
For those curious about experiencing this cabaret approach to jazz, blues and gospel firsthand, my next performances this year are September 27th and November 29 at Gingers Vintage Lounge Bar on Goodwood Road. It’s the perfect intimate setting for the kind of musical conversation I love most – where every face in the room is visible, where stories can land and shift the energy, where music becomes a bridge between performer and audience.
If you missed the radio interview on September 17, you can catch it on demand at the 5MBS website. And if you’re intrigued by the idea of an evening where jazz, blues, and cabaret become vehicles for deeper connection, I’d love to share these musical stories with you in person.
Complete details about September 27th may be found here : [YOUR GIG BLOG LINK]
Book tickets for September 27th at Gingers Vintage Lounge Bar: trybooking.com/DEEVU or call (08) 7073 2361