Chaika with Kristin Berardi and James Sherlock

BEMAC presents a night with award winning, world class musicians. Welcome in 2020 enjoying incredible music spanning jazz, world and folk.

BEMAC is thrilled to be presenting Chaika with Kristin Berardi & James Sherlock for one night only. Both renowned and award winning artists in their own right, this not to be missed live collaboration will be performed in Brisbane at the Queensland Multicultural Centre (QMC) on January 4.

Chaika meld the earthiness of folk, dexterity of jazz, and the craft of classical to create superb genre-blending music that transcends labels. ARIA nominated, described as "spine-tingling" (Rhythms) and "extraordinary" (Fine Music FM), the Sydney-based sextet create a multi-faceted kaleidoscope of sounds—a true culmination of compositional, arranging and improvising prowess, performed with stunning attention to detail.

Their latest 2019 ARIA nominated release for Best World Music Album, Arrow (2019), has received heartfelt reviews, recorded and produced by ARIA award-winning team Bob Scott and Llew Kiek. "Like a gust of wind ushering in a new season of possibilities…Arrow, as the title suggests, offered listeners a new direction in Australian Folk music, an innovative blend of beautifully crafted pieces." (What’s on Sydney) At home wherever appreciative ears assemble—from roots and folk festivals to the world-class environs of recital halls—Chaika surprise, thrill and move the unsuspecting listener in a manner simply referred to by The Australian as "enchanting."

Kristin Berardi and James Sherlock have been making music together since 2004. They have four albums together and their second duo album "If you were there" received the National Jazz Bell Award for The Best Jazz Vocal Album of 2010; their third and fourth nominated for the same award in 2014 and 2018. Their unique and honest collaboration makes them sought after both in Australia and overseas. The duo supported Al Jarreau and George Benson at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in 2007, and completed successful tours throughout Australia, USA, Europe, Japan and Indonesia.

"A singer, accompanied by a guitarist. It’s an honest and challenging format, where both musicians need strong technique, complete trust in each other, and an unfailing instinct for where the beat would be if they had rhythm section with them. Happily, vocalist Kristin Berardi and guitarist James Sherlock share these qualities, and more." - Adrian Jackson (Rhythms Magazine 2015).