Ellington Jazz Club dims the lights for candlelit concert series

Over three nights in mid-August, The Ellington Jazz Club is dimming its lights and turning its tables on the artists. From Tuesday, August 13 to Thursday, August 15, the audience will take to the stage and the singers to the floor for a series of snug acoustic concerts.

Spanning a range of styles—jazz, blues and soul—a pop-up stage will be set in the middle of the room, circled by candle-lit tables, transforming the already intimate venue into an even cosier theatre-in-the-round.

The formula was developed by the Club’s program director, singer Simone Craddock (pictured above), following the success of the Candlelit Valentine Concerts she presented in recent years with her guitarist collaborator Aaron Deacon. This time, she has extended the concept to include further shows by blues legend Kerry B. Ryan and soul sensation Sophie Foster.

On Tuesday, August 13, the award-winning duo of Craddock and Deacon will explore the Great American Song Book. The classic songs of Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and others will be given an intimate airing.

The next night, blues guitarist, songwriter, and singer Kerry B Ryan and his trio—Mark Constable (harmonica and vocals) and Johnny Wilson (bass guitar)—will perform the founding fathers of the blues. In an acoustic format, they will explore the music of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, BB King and Lead Belly.

For the final show, Sophie Foster and guitarist Jackson Venables will take the audience on a celebration of soul, from Aretha Franklin to Beyoncé. Through Foster’s melodic vocal lines and Venable’s smooth fretwork, they will tell the story of soul music.

All of the artists in the program have a rolled-gold pedigree.

Before returning to her hometown, Simone Craddock spent twenty years based in London. She performed at legendary venues such as Ronny Scott’s and appeared in leading roles in a string of West End and touring musicals—Annie, Jesus Christ Superstar, Dirty Dancing and Hello Dolly.

From humble beginnings as a stockman in northern Queensland, Kerry B Ryan has transformed into a master of authentic, from-the-heart blues. Now based in Perth, he has presented many sold-out shows with his powerhouse electric trio.

It is a testament to her distinctive voice and versatility that Sophie Foster has performed alongside such musical legends as Chris Isaak, Guy Sebastian and Casey Donovan.

The Ellington Jazz Club’s Candlelit Concert Series takes place from Tuesday, August 13 to Thursday, August 15, 2024. For more info and to buy tickets, head to ellingtonjazz.com.au