Brisbane Jazz Club members and guests enjoyed a rare treat when singer-songwriter Ann Vriend performed on Sunday afternoon (13 September).
An occasional visitor to the BJC, Ann’s home town is Edmonton, Canada. Ann's voice is perfect for the blues, with a great range, and surprising depth for someone so slight!
Her powerful, soulful voice effortlessly embraced a range of material, from old standards such as ‘Basin St Blues’, to material from her latest album, ‘For The People In The Mean Time’. Ann sang at the mic, and also at the piano, her stunning trademark-platform stilettos, sparkling with diamantes, tucked under the ivories.
Although she has been to Australia several times, this is the first time she has brought band members with her from Canada. Peter Hendrickson on drums held the songs together with skill and style—he really nailed it!
Click here for photos from the show.
David Aide, aka Rooster Davis, played the synthesizer, mostly as Hammond organ, but with forays into a more electronic sound, and provided an effective bassline from the keyboard. This was used to great effect in 'Invisible’, which had a poppier sound, with echoes of Adele. Rooster also took turns on the piano, and produced some crowd pleasing riffs. BJC favourite Ewan MacKenzie occasionally joined the band on stage to add some welcome chords and solos on the guitar.
Ann Vriend & band - image © Karen Hutt'For The People In The Mean Time' is inspired by the plight of homeless people, and the hardships that have brought them there. Winter in Canada is brutal, and the 'Mean Time' references the harsh, near impossibility of survival in such circumstances. ‘Rush Of Your Wings’ reflects on the tragedy of drug addiction, from the perspective of someone in a relationship with an addict. With its staccato, almost rap-like verses, and lyrical chorus, it eloquently expresses the extreme highs and lows of such a relationship.
A few of the songs from this album have a livelier feel than some of her earlier material. We really liked this sound, and it’s a worthwhile direction for her to explore further. Ann has a fabulous voice, great style, and a delightful stage presence—she has an engaging, down-to-earth manner, and the audience loved her.
We have mentioned previously how superb a venue the BJC is – with the warm, spring sunshine dancing on the water behind the stage, it provided the perfect setting for some great music on a lovely Sunday afternoon!
Ann will be back early next year, when she is planning an Australia-wide tour – do yourself a favour; go and see her!
