Mara! Big Band in Concert – Players Theatre, Port Macquarie

The Mara! Big Band’s “Zashto?” project is the fulfilment of Mara Kiek’s long-held dream to create a bigger, bolder version of her dual ARIA award-winning Mara! band, featuring the cream of Australia’s jazz and world music Illuminati. Mara! Big Band is a dynamic 13-piece ensemble hovering between Eastern European Gypsy brass band and jazz big band traditions.

Members of the Mara! Big Band have performed with artists such as Vince Jones, Bernie McGann, Renee Geyer, the SSO, ACO, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Renaissance Players, Australian Art Orchestra, Ten Part Invention and Synergy Percussion.

Featuring Sandy Evans and Paul Cutlan (woodwinds), Steve Elphick (double bass), Mara Kiek (voice and percussion) and Llew Kiek (plucked strings). Mara has added eight key players, including the welcome return of Andrew Robson on alto and baritone saxophones plus James Greening on trombone & pocket trumpet, Sam Golding playing trumpet & tuba, Gary Daley on accordion, Jess Ciampa playing drums & percussion and singers Silvia Entcheva, Jenny Dornan and Jarnie Birmingham. The singers are all soloists from Sydney’s Martenitsa Choir, which specialises in the unique vocal technique of Bulgarian traditional female singers. Silvia was a former member of the famous Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares choir in Bulgaria.

Zashto? was commissioned by Mara Kiek with support from Create NSW. Zashto? (meaning ‘Why?’ in Bulgarian language) sets poetry by female Australian migrant and refugee poets, with stories of displacement, hope and longing to exquisite new musical compositions by five current and former Mara! Quintet members.

"...the true magnitude of the band’s collective sound hit home, a thrilling juggernaut of pulsating polyrhythms, splintering harmonies, and above it all Mara’s commanding vocal.” SMH