Fem Belling & Sydney Friends – Tuesday, 12th of July 2022:
South African-born vocalist and violinist, Fem Belling, is a trailblazer on the international jazz scene and has imprinted herself as one of Australia’s most formidable and in-demand performers. Her African Jazz roots powerfully augment her unique musicality and interpretations.
“A breathtaking storyteller through music…”
The jazz world hums with ubiquitous young singers revisiting the great American songbook, ‘then one comes along with an instrumentalist’s refrain”, with tandem voice and violin improvisation, Fem is a master force in the art of standards, singing, and equally at home with the soul, funk side of jazz. A sophisticated palate embracing a spectacular breadth of the range.
Hailing from musical dynasty, she has performed with many jazz greats, locally and internationally. Solo projects & collaborations: Ronnie Scotts, Pizza Express, Soho Jazz Fest, Bennetts Lane, JazzLab, Paris Cat, The Royal Variety Show, North Sea Jazz Fest, Hong Kong Jazz Fest, Melbourne Int Jazz Fest, WOMAD, Stonnington Jazz Fest, White Night, Port Fairy Fest, Wangaratta Jazz, Joy of Jazz (SA), Madagascar.
She has performed alongside Gregory Porter, Emanuel Harrold, Reggie Watts, Femi Kuti, Chet Faker, Darius Brubeck, Franck Amsallem, Shalosh Trio, Joe Chindamo, John Foreman, Allan Zavod, Hugh Masekela, The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra (ARIA nomination) A West End leading lady with a fierce CV of Musicals to her name: Liza Minelli in The Boy From Oz, Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, Fame, Cats, JC Superstar.
Fem has performed at the Royal Variety Show, The Dame Edna Show, and The Australian Men’s Tennis Final. Fem shot to international attention turning all 4 chairs on The Voice with Ricky Martin, Jessie J & Delta Goodrem fighting for the chance to mentor her. Jessie J won out, saying she has been “waiting for someone like this”.
Awards: AUSTRALIAN WOMEN IN MUSIC AWARDS nomination. NOW THEN – Best Jazz Album Nominee
The Age Music Awards. Recipient of 5 VITA AWARDS. Green Room Award nom: Best Leading Actress.
Fem is a YAMAHA AUSTRALIA ARTIST playing their 5-string Electric Silent violin & YEV.
“Bloody Brilliant – @#*% incredible” – Robbie Williams
“It’s impossible to ignore Fem Belling. Once you listen to her voice and see her perform, you know you have to pay attention and take in all that she passionately has to communicate, to narrate, to share.” – australianjazz.net
“With raw, Macy Gray-like vocal edges, a tempered rhythm, and cerebral-deep smooth grooves, this songstress holds us transfixed long after her final note” – Ching Pei Khoo THE MUSIC
“Belling’s husky vocal scatting breaking the original’s down to delectable, bite-sized morsels. In Belling’s kitchen, she cooks up slow-food jazz.” – THE MUSIC
“Belling’s prodigious vocal control – truly a chill-inducing performance” – Artshub
“Belling is a pocket rocket with a versatile vocal palette and a gift for improvisation. If it’s music you want to hear, you won’t be disappointed by these lush and limber jazz styling’s” – The Herald Sun
“I believe a new musical star was born on stage last night” – SA Tonight
“Once Fem walks onto the stage you are under her spell.” – The Age
“Belling is an exceptional talent with a compelling, versatile, powerful voice” – the Herald Sun
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