ZA VAS OT NAS - Martenitsa & MARA! - Album launch

Newcastle's jazz and world music buffs will remember the mighty sound of the MARA! Big Band at the Harold Lobb Auditorium in November 2024, presented by NIMA.

One year on, dual ARIA winning world/jazz quintet MARA! will return to Newcastle, this time they will be joined by the Martenitsa Choir (directed by Mara & Llew Kiek) to launch their long-awaited album 'Za Vas Ot Nas' (For You From Us) in an intimate Sunday afternoon concert at Hamilton Uniting Church.

The album celebrates 30 years of performing, recording and touring together as a combined ensemble, and features previously unreleased recordings of compositions and arrangements written especially for them by MARA! Band members and colleagues including the exquisite work 'Leilinko Kuzum Pilentse' by one of Bulgaria's most highly regarded composers, Ivan Spasov. Commissioned by the choir in 1996, it is one of the most treasured works in their repertoire.

Fronting the choir will be Martenitsa's extraordinary Bulgarian soloist Silvia Entcheva (Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares, MARA! Big Band, Doch Gypsy Orchestra), along with MARA! band's jazz/world music icons Sandy Evans, Paul Cutlan, Lloyd Swanton, Llew Kiek and Mara.

A feast of lush vocals, virtuosic musicianship and blistering solos awaits in this program stunningly unique and original compositions.

Facilities at ZA VAS OT NAS - Martenitsa & MARA! - Album launch

• Family Friendly
• Non Smoking