Bessie, Billie, Dinah - Empress, Lady & Queen of Blues

Trinity Sessions for Umbrella Festival 2021
Songs & Stories of Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday & Dinah Washington

Join SA’s own Jazz In Cheek Quartet in celebrating the short iconic lives of these three amazing ladies who sang from their souls, touched the hearts of millions and died before their 45th birthday’s!

- One, was the highest-paid performer of her era in the world
- One, was awarded four posthumous Grammy’s
- One, had nine husbands!

Bonnie Lee Galea and band pay tribute to the lives and music of Three Musical Giants of the Early 20th Century through stories, images & song, resurrecting superb masterpieces like Ain’t Misbehavin’, Makin’ Whoopee!, St. Louis Blues & audience sing-along song, Send Me to The ‘lectric Chair!

Bonnie Lee Galea on voice (The Blonde Bombshells of Jazz & Simply Sade)
Quinton Dunne on Double Bass/Voice (The Beggars)
Richard Coates on Keys (The Huckleberry Swedes)
Josh Chenoweth on trumpet (The Hot Sardines)

This show encapsulates the essence of these three lady’s gifts to the world’s music culture throughout the decades, bringing to the stage brilliant masterpieces of song, presented by one of SA’s own Quartets. Each song is delivered with emotion embellished with background images and intermittent stories & quotes from each of their lives. All three singers performed and recorded with the biggest bands and orchestras of the day including Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton & Quincy Jones leaving us with unforgettable songs.

Review:
The Clothesline, Adrian Miller 2020. Adelaide Fringe
“The show is confident, classy and contains some great songs, stories and musicianship”

Testimonials:
Anne Mitchell, SA, March 2017, Adelaide Fringe
‘Loved the show … Bonnie and her band’s tribute to these 3 blues legends was brilliant!!’

Kathy Bergland, SA, March 2017
“We all thoroughly enjoyed the show. The unknown backstories on Bessie, Billie & Dinah were particularly enlightening-sad, funny & tragic”

Tickets on sale now at trybooking.
Bar will be open from 3pm.
Show commences at 4pm with interval.