Roaming through the jungle of "Ohs" and "Ahs" searching for a more agreeable noise, I live a life of primitivity with the mind of a child and an unquenchable thirst for sharps and flats. Duke Ellington
Emma’s latest offering, Bossa Eyes is both ‘intriguing’ and ‘mesmerising’. The songs seep into the senses with a sexy, subtle smoothness reminiscient of the 60s, the era of pleasure and the senses.
“Over the past few years I’ve found myself drawn more and more to bossa and samba beats, anything latin really. Brazilian music created by Tony Jobim, Joao Gilberto, Ivan Lins, the lyrics of Vinicius de Moraes and how jazz intersects with that music; that has become a passion for me. It seems so still and easy, but there’s such complexity in the chords, melodies and even in the lyrics. Then there’s the overlay of jazz, laying back on the rhythms, adding improvisation, Portuguese lyrics - it’s been a joy experiencing this whole new world.”
This album, which took 3 years, is the latest step in a lifelong passion. Emma always wanted to sing and took every opportunity offered. Opera lessons, choirs, musicals and a bit of airtime on radio and TV were all stepping stones along the road to jazz, which first appeared as a jam session with the legendary Gil Askey.
From forming several groups to play private and public gigs, Emma formalised her education with a Dip. Jazz and Popular Performance in 2000. A few months of full time singing work in Tokyo and Nagoya followed, as did Emma’s first release, Love Rhapsody . Love Rhapsody as a debut album received Australia wide and international airplay and favourable reviews nationally and internationally.
Emma is a member of APRA, having written and recorded several of her own tunes on her two albums and has appeared in most of Melbourne’s premier venues, with long term residencies at Manchester Lane and Crown Casino, appearances in the Palladium at Crown and as support to Anthony Warlow and Rhonda Birchmore at the Scotchmans Hill Concert. Emma has worked with many premier jazz artists including Mark Fitzgibbon, Bob Sedergreen and Joe Ruberto, Kim May, Gerry Pantazis, Greg Ryan and Greg Clarkson. Guest appearances include Daryl McKenzie Jazz Orchestra, Dizzy’s Big Band, Don Jordon’s Lazybones, John Montesante's quartet and the Roger Clark Quartet.
Quotes...
Vocalist Emma Sidney ... wowed audiences with her
honey-toned and sexy voice. Merimbula News Weekly - July 2000
You don't get much more beautiful than that... You
have such a lovely voice. Rick James, 88.3 Southern FM
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About Emma