Caroline Lynn

”Lynn is scholarly in a completely relaxed way and often powerfully expressive” John Clare, Metropolitan Magazine, Sydney Morning Herald 03

With a voice described as 'vibrant and beautiful' (SMH), Caroline Lynn's background in jazz and improvised musics, classical voice, Indian vocal techniques, folk and medieval music colour her interpretaion of both traditional and contemporary material. Her extensive performance career has spanned the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Shanghai.

Caroline was born and raised on the UK/London jazz and festival scene of the early 90's, immersed in the buzz of a multicultural city and its music. She studied jazz at the Guildhall but was always drawn to the experimental free scene and multicultural music. She worked closely with anglo-french pianist Tristan Harris who also walked the line between jazz and free, guitarist Lazar der Gregorian, a capella folk group Incantata and Paul Malsom in Trium which was the vehicle for their original compositions and explorations into more global soundscapes.

Moving around a bit before arriving in NZ where she is now based, she first emigrated to Australia. Her move to Sydney facilitated her specialisation in aspects of world music tradition, and she continued to develop her concept, taking studies in medieval music (Sydney University) and Indian raga with sarod player Ashok Roy and vocalist Ketke Dongre. Her work found fruit in an invitation to the Jazz India Vocal Institute in Mumbai, where she studied raga and Indian vocal techniques with guru Dhanshree Pandit Rai - also performing for the Australian High Commissioner’s inaugural reception and gigs around Mumbai and New Delhi.

Returning from India, Caroline's album of mainly original contemporary world music The Shaman's Kiss was released. It was shortlisted for Best Vocal Album in the 2003 Australian Jazz Awards. Gaining strong national press reviews it has established Caroline’s individual style and voice.

“This album oozes the tingling excitement of a new love affair, or a holiday where each day is charged with new sights and adventures. Track by track Caroline Lynn unveils a fresh perspective on her broad musical world, which like so much of the best contemporary music blends jazz and folk influences.” John Shand, ABC Limelight Magazine, July 03

see website www.moonmusik.com for more info

In 2001 Caroline began a collaboration with Australian pianist Mark Isaacs on a collection of traditional Spanish and Sephardic songs. Described as ‘utterly beguiling’ by the Sydney Morning Herald, their portrayal of these haunting melodies was presented at The Basement for multicultural arts festival Carnivale, and at a unique concert at The Great Synagogue, Sydney with early music specialists Kim Cunio and Heather Lee.

Caroline has also collaborated with Argentinian guitarist Justo Diaz on a series of Spanish and latin songs, and with the extraordinary Russian cellist and guitarist Anatolie Torjinski and Yuri Terletski (Double T) for whom she features on their CD Ad Infinitum’ with Bobby Singh.

Performances:

Over the years, Caroline has appeared extensively in the UK, Australia, India, Shanghai and New Zealand performing at diplomatic and high end functions, 5 star hotels, Soho nightclubs, intimate jazz bars, festival events and major concert venues.

She has appeared as a soloist with the award winning Guildhall Big Band, and toured Scotland and London and performed at venues such as the Barbican Centre, Royal Festival Hall and Bass Clef. Other performances include The Jazz Cafe, Vortex Jazz Bar, 33 Arts Centre, Soho Pizza Express, and festivals South Hill Park, Canterbury, Windsor International Guitar Festival, City of London. Caroline has performed in festivals and venues throughout the UK, Australia, India and Shanghai including recently: Auckland Jazz Festival 05, Montana Jazz Festival, Tauranga 05, Auckland Art Gallery, Café Carnivale, Carnivale Multicultural Arts Festival 98, 2000, 2001, The Basement, C21 New Music Fest, SIMA, Womens Festival, Cafe Sydney, Melbourne International Women’s Jazz Fest 03, The Great Synagogue Sydney, The Oberoi New Delhi, Taj President Mumbai, CJW Shanghai.

Performing with an array of artists such as: Rick Robertson, Mark Isaacs, Roger Manins, Chris Cody (FRA), Tony Lewis, Steve Elphick, Dave Goodman, Mike Nock, Brett Hirst, Fabian Hevia, Aykho Akhrif, Blair Greenburg, Andrea Keller, Brendan Clarke, Mat McMahon, Justo Diaz, Paul Malsom (UK), Kevin Field (NZ), George Chisholm (UK/NZ), Owen Kneebone (NZ), Pete McGregor (NZ), Anatolie Torjinski, Yuri Terletski, Epizo Bangoura, Bobby Singh, Peter Schaeffer, Kevin Haines (NZ) Xavier Fernandez (India), Robyn Sutherland (NZ)