Music
Press
Jade Lumbewe cut an impish figure in a red dress and tousled hair. The fresh bossa of ‘You’re Always With Me’ opened her set with verve and confidence. Backed by four solid musicians who responded to her direction as if connected via ethereal touch screens, Lumbewe’s compositions dove around time signatures and tempos whilst still maintaining an accessible jazz-pop aesthetic. ‘Little Spoon’s Love Story’ was a perfect example of this, with the changes seamless and the song instantly familiar, even for a first listening. ‘Autumn’ was captivating. Played as a trio, it showcased both Lumbewe’s capacity for vocal improvisation in a jazz style, Hugh Barrett’s propensity for choosing luminous and apposite harmonic colours. Less captivating were her two cover choices. The Beach Boys’ ‘God Only Knows’ and Kermit’s ‘Rainbow Connection’ felt a bit Karaoke for my liking - especially within the Japanese themed context of the night. However, Lumbewe’s original music, reminiscent of a jazz inspired Fiona Apple, has sophistication beyond her years. It was performed with humour, grace and sincerity. - Donne Restom, Drummedia 11/3/08. - The Drummedia
Jade Lumbewe cut an impish figure in a red dress and tousled hair. The fresh bossa of ‘You’re Always With Me’ opened her set with verve and confidence. Backed by four solid musicians who responded to her direction as if connected via ethereal touch screens, Lumbewe’s compositions dove around time signatures and tempos whilst still maintaining an accessible jazz-pop aesthetic. ‘Little Spoon’s Love Story’ was a perfect example of this, with the changes seamless and the song instantly familiar, even for a first listening. ‘Autumn’ was captivating. Played as a trio, it showcased both Lumbewe’s capacity for vocal improvisation in a jazz style, Hugh Barrett’s propensity for choosing luminous and apposite harmonic colours. Less captivating were her two cover choices. The Beach Boys’ ‘God Only Knows’ and Kermit’s ‘Rainbow Connection’ felt a bit Karaoke for my liking - especially within the Japanese themed context of the night. However, Lumbewe’s original music, reminiscent of a jazz inspired Fiona Apple, has sophistication beyond her years. It was performed with humour, grace and sincerity. - Donne Restom, Drummedia 11/3/08. - The Drummedia
Discography
unreleased EP, "Why September"
Photos
Bio
Jade Lumbewe has been performing her original material with her band in the Sydney scene for a few years playing such venues such as the Basement, The Vanguard, Candy's Apartment, The Rose of Australia, The Hopetoun Hotel etc.
Jade composes and arranges material with a jazz flavour but draws from other styles such as folk and blues to produce a unique and distinctive sound. She is inspired by artists who take risks in their writing and performances and do not follow the clique. Jade writes with poetic lyrics and can’t stand to see the meaning of a story to be diluted for the sake of a rhyme. Structurally, her compositions ensure that the audience is always captivated by using interesting techniques such as changing time signatures and feels.
Jade is a jazz vocal student at the Sydney Conservatorium studying under Kerrie Biddell. Her band are her fellow classmates who operate on the same musical wavelength. Playing together they are always striving for unity as well as personal musical exploration. Each band member contributes to the music with their own interpretation and feed off one another’s ideas either in rehearsal or on stage.
Jade Lumbewe Band gigs offer a variety of styles whether it be of original compositions or arrangements of classic songs. Improvisation and interaction are significant aspects to the band’s delivery, where they feel free to express themselves within a song structure. Jade communicates with a casual air, always connecting with her audience through her speech, singing and performance.
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