Finding Our Voice Executive Producer, Genevieve Lacey, started with an address to the audience, highlighting the rich musical history of Western Australia, and noted the prestigious institutions within the state that have led to a bedrock of musical talent.
As the lights dimmed, and the audience hushed, Ben Vanderwal (drummer), Steve Richter, Iain Robbie, and Genevieve Wilkins (percussionists), took the stage to perform the first movement of the repertoire: 'Strangers Once: A Handshake'.
A cacophony of sound, that was chaotically beautiful, introduced the audience to 'Ephemeral Echoes', Linda May Han Oh’s recent work that focuses on transience, fleeting moments, and historical emotions the artist has felt over the years.
“I believe it is extremely important to nurture and support improvised music and improvisation in music,” Linda says.
Linda May Han Oh is a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), and has recently spent 15 years in New York City, and has won many awards – such as a Grammy for Best Instrumental Jazz Album. Linda is joined on stage by many Perth-based musicians, some of which have backgrounds at WAAPA, and who audiences may recall from such shows as 'Defying Gravity'.
'Ephemeral Echoes' was a sonnet to the senses, exploring themes centred around endangered insects, utilising lightbulbs as percussion instruments, the birth of Linda’s son, and living in the moment – inspired by her time in Perth/Boorloo during the COVID-19 situation.
The final movement was inspired by the aurora borealis, and with the expertise of Lighting Designer Lucy Birkinshaw (another skilled graduate of WAAPA), the entire Perth Concert Hall was transported to Norway. The roof lit up with a rainbow of colours, while each musician had a spotlight. The lighting flittered across the stage and audience, in time with the xylophone – bringing an ethereal, mesmeric immersion to the movement.
The performance had been rehearsed remotely by all musicians, with the artists only recently meeting in person before they took to the stage. What was experienced that night could only be summarised as quintessential jazz music at its finest.
