Paul Grabowsky Will Leave His Light On As He Tours Nationally With Paul Kelly

As the universal symbol for the divine and intellectual thought, light always conquers the dark, but we can never ask the darkness to leave.

First we must turn on our light; and in a very sweet intersection where Australian rock-folk meets jazz, Paul Grabowsky AO and Paul Kelly AO connected with their first studio collaboration, 2020's 'Please Leave Your Light On' (which won Best Jazz Album at 2020 ARIA Awards) – a musical work pulling back the covers on a unique relationship traversing 25 years across Australia's cultural landscape.

"I remember seeing Paul [Kelly] when I was at uni," Grabowsky reflects.

"He was a much rawer version of himself in those days. But as we get older, I think we discover sides of ourselves which we maybe weren't familiar with.

"As he's got older, he's been far more able and willing to explore different areas of his own musical ability – which is pretty vast."



Grabowsky's prowess on jazz keys and composition has pioneered the Australian music industry to lead bands, orchestras, companies and projects for TV, operas, film scores from festivals and stages to reap awards and accolades worldwide.

All this, alongside his role as Executive Director for Monash Academy of Performing Arts thrown in the mix.

Kelly's mastery comes from the opposite end of the spectrum, budding from roots-oriented ingredients for a foray into a rich intellectualism.

It is the homegrown-charged Australian spirit with rawness hewn from instinctive authenticity.

Neither are cookie-cutter artists. Grabowsky's artistry offers the classical touch of rhythmically-crystal notes alongside impressionist melodies cascading with movement. Grabowsky is always the quiet fire; that luminous background crackle, rich in texture and profound with influence.

"We've known each other for a long time," Grabowsky states.

"I started a residency at Ukaria, a purpose-built, small concert hall in the Adelaide Hills. I was given the opportunity to do a series of gigs with different guest artists – and I asked Paul if he'd like to be one of those people. Just him and I. No band. Just piano and voice."



This would be fertile soil of the most creditable virility. By charging the polish, moxie and innovation of jazz with the grit of progressive homegrown Aussie songwriting, 'Please Leave Your Light On' is a one-of-a-kind reflection.

"The challenge was to create piano accompaniments to songs in support of Paul but allowed me enough room to move, to express myself at the same time," Grabowsky notes.

"A good singer is somebody who's always very clear about what they're doing and has great diction, so the force of the words are always conveyed and the emotion of the performance has integrity.

"It gives me something really clear to work with and around, so the emotional temperature of the piece is very clear. He's a master balladeer," Grabowsky declares of Kelly.

"It doesn't matter that he's a jazz singer or not. "I think there's a genuineness of sentiment expressed in the album, and there is a slightly nostalgic feeling – but I don't mean that in a mawkish way," Grabowsky says.

"There's a genuine sense of yearning and a slight tinge of regret. I find myself drawn to different songs for different reasons.

"'Sonnet 138' is a killer song with a really humorous and rather black feeling to it – in the sort of dark sense. But I can't help hearing 'If I Could Start Today Again' without getting a lump in my throat – just because of the sentiment the song expresses so beautifully and simply.

"The way he does 'Every Time We Say Goodbye' – he takes the lyrics and really makes it his own."



And no doubt, it is this honesty and nostalgia Grabowsky and Kelly will bring to life for their national tour.

"On the tour, we really do convey the feeling of the album, because what people will see is precisely what we did when we recorded it. We just get up there and we do the songs. We actually do a few more than are on the album, because we recorded more songs than we could use.

"Never was there a time where the moment of live experience was more important," Grabowsky observes.

Indeed, it is to our hearts Grabowsky appeals we leave our own lights on.

"Get out there and support live artists. And if it happens to be us," Grabowsky notes of his upcoming tour with Kelly, "then we're very pleased and touched you would choose to see us.

"But look after your local artists and make sure whenever they have the opportunity to get out there and play, they're playing to you."

Paul Kelly & Paul Grabowsky 2021 Tour Dates

Wed 29 Sep - Adelaide Festival Centre
Fri 8 Oct - City Recital Hall (Sydney)
Sat 9 Oct - Brisbane Powerhouse
Sun 10 Oct - Brisbane Powerhouse
Sat 16 Oct - Melbourne Recital Hall
Thu 28 Oct - Regal Theatre (Perth)
Fri 29 Oct - Regal Theatre (Perth)

Paul Grabowsky @ 2021 Melbourne International Jazz Festival

Sat 16 Oct - Paul Kelly & Paul Grabowsky @ Melbourne Recital Centre
Thu 21 Oct - Torrio! feat. Ilaria Crociani @ The Jazzlab
Sat 23 Oct - Paul Grabowsky & Ngaiire @ The Toff In Town
Sat 23 Oct - In Conversation With Paul Grabowsky AO @ Melbourne Recital Centre