Chatswood Concourse launches its 2026 Jazz At The Lounge series, featuring another curated selection of high-calibre Australian talent.
First cab off the rank is one of Sydney's finest ensembles, Zela Margossian Quintet, led by pianist and composer Zela Margossian.
"We feel really honoured and fortunate that we are kicking off the series at Chatswood Concourse, The Lounge, and knowing that it will be the continuation of a line-up that is full of amazing musicians," Zela says.
"I adore all of them, just to name a few – James Morrison, Emma Pask, Simon Tedeschi, Paul Grabowsky – most of them are people I look up to, and we are really honoured that we will do the opening of the series."
A classically trained pianist, Zela creates kaleidoscopic arrangements fusing traditional influences of her Armenian heritage with contemporary jazz and classical music.
She is joined in the quintet by Stuart Vandegraaff (saxophone, clarinet), Alexander Inman-Hislop (drums), Adem Yilmaz (percussion), and Jacques Emery (double bass).
"Usually, our shows are full of energy and drive, and at the same time we have pieces which make you reflect and think about more sentimental things," Zela says.
"It takes you on an emotional journey. Most of the music I compose is based on storytelling about what has happened in my life or what is happening around the world.
"Obviously, now the world is full of turmoil and people are experiencing that. I feel that music is like magic – it's a medium that can touch you without having any words or lyrics.
"It is something that leaves you in your seat to enjoy and maybe reflect upon after the show.
"We have pieces that are full of drive and energy and stop-start rhythms, we have pieces that are celebratory and we just enjoy the moment, but there is also some music that reflects what is happening in the world, just to stop and think of what we can do as individuals."
Zela Margossian Quintet presents an eclectic set of original ethno-jazz spanning their first two albums as well as selections from their forthcoming third album, taking audiences on a deep dive through Zela's narrative approach to composition and arrangement.
"We will play some pieces from our upcoming album for this show," she says. "For example, there's a piece called 'Repentance' which was related to something that had happened to me 20 years ago and I always wanted to find a resolving moment where I could let that go.
"When people hear it, they might feel those troublesome emotions in the beginning, but then there comes a point in the piece where you feel like there is resolution and you are at peace.
"We recorded and finished the album in January. It will drop on May 22nd internationally on the American label Ropeadope.
"A third single is coming up, which is 'Repentance' on March 27 and a possible fourth single in April featuring a jazz vocalist who will be singing in Armenian. I hope it will resonate with people, even though it's in Armenian but it has a nice flow and we'll see," she laughs.
Zela Margossian Quintet plays as part of the Chatswood Concourse's Jazz At The Lounge series (Sydney) on 26 March. The series continues throughout 2026; visit the programme.
