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It was a mellow crowd that gathered on Friday for the announcement of the winner of the 612 ABC Brisbane - Valley Jazz Festival Vocalist Award 2007.
The award judges were just recovering from a tough morning, spent trying to reach a decision regarding the winner of the Award. "It has been a difficult job because of the standard of all the ten applicants that we got," said judge Mal Stanley, from ABC Classic FM's Jazztrack.
"We were on the mobile phone all this morning, but we came to a decision that I think we pretty much all agreed on in the end - with Leigh Carriage from Lismore and Ingrid James in Brisbane and myself - it was a difficult decision, but I think we're made the right one."
Independently, each judge came up with a criterion - and when they conferred, the judges discovered the criteria were uncannily similar. "We were looking for technical ability, style, originality, expression, how they handled the material that they chose - they had to choose one up-tempo piece and one contrasting piece - but I think we pretty much agreed towards the end."
And then it was up to award patron, jazz legend Vince Jones, to present the award. "I believe the winner is Renae Suttie," he grinned.
Renae was thrilled with the award - she won a range of prizes, including - The ABC 612 Brisbane Vocalist Award trophy, a gig at the next Valley Jazz Festival, an opportunity for her work to be reviewed by ABC Music for possible release, career development mentoring and a workshop with Vince Jones. "This is an absolute honour and a surprise," Renae enthused. "Once I saw some familiar faces among the singers, I thought the competition was pretty steep, so this has just blown me away."
Mal said the judges were very impressed by Renae's entry. "The overall level of the competition was very high, but we had to make a decision, and I think we all thought there was something in Renae's sing that warranted some help and support to get her up to the next level and that's what this award's all about - to assist a young singer, and I'm sure we're going to hear some great things from her." - www.abc.net.au/brisbane/stories/s1909680.htm
Discography
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Bio
Renae and The Swing Collective perform regularly
at private functions, weddings and music festivals.
Repertoire includes both original material and jazz covers.
Renae Suttie is happiest when she is on stage. Following her jazz studies at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Renae has been performing professionally for the past 14 years. She has worked the international 5 star hotel circuit extensively in countries such as Japan, China, Hong Kong, Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu.
On the local scene Renae performs regularly for both the corporate and public market with groups such as “Renae and The Swing Collective”, “Sakura” and “Jazz Australis”.
With the gift of “perfect pitch”, Renae is sought-after in the recording world and can be heard on many Australian television and radio advertisements, including “Channel 7 – Love You Queensland”, “Channel 7 -The Golden Casket Winners Circle”, “Seaworld”, “Channel 9 – Shine on 9”, “Donut King”, “Chandlers”, “Lite n Easy”, “Alma Park Zoo”, “Eagle Boys”, “Toyota”. Internationally, she has sung on the theme song for the “Crocodile Hunter” television show.
As a vocal coach, Renae speaks regularly at vocal seminars and workshops, and also enjoys teaching privately and at the Djarts Studio.
Some of Renae’s recent performance highlights include:
April 2007: Jazz Vocalist Award, 612 ABC Valley Jazz Festival
Feb 2007: Hayman Island
Nov 2006: General Motors Conference, Lizard Island
June 2006: Fiji Tourism Conference, Fiji
March 2005: Australian Tourism Conference, Hong Kong
Dec 2004: Pacific Club, Hong Kong, 2 week performance
Dec 2004: New Year’s Eve, Hayman Island
July 2003: Kangaroo Point Jazz and Blues Festival
Dec 2002: Channel 7 Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols
Feb 2002: Tokyo Hilton Hotel, 4 month contract
Aug 2001: Channel 7 Goodwill Games Opening Gala
Feb 2000: Nagoya Hilton Hotel, 6 month contract
Dec 1999: New Year’s Eve, Port Vila, Vanuatu
March 1996: Le Meridien Hotel, New Caledonia, 3 month contract
Feb 1995: Nagoya Hilton Hotel, 4 month contract
Feb 1994: Shanghai Hilton Hotel, 6 month contract
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