Marloo’s Blues

Sydney International Women’s Jazz Fest
Presented by SIMA

Marloo’s Blues
Opening performance by SHAMIN

“The life Marlene has lived is closer to the life of original blues singers like Muddy Waters than any contemporary American blues artist”.– RICHARD FIELD, PRODUCER

As a proud Guguyelandji, and Woppaburra woman, Marlene’s life is the story of her people and she tells it through her art. A musician, actress and more recently documentary film maker, Marlene Cummins refined her skills as a blues saxophonist at the Berklee College of Music.

In 2014, Marlene released her first full-length album Koori Woman Blues to coincide with the premiere of her biographical documentary film Black Panther Woman. She co-wrote this documentary with Rachel Perkins, telling her story as a founding member of Australia’s Black Panther Party.

Over the past 20 years Marlene has headlined arts festivals with her band throughout Australia. Considered one of Australia’s foremost Indigenous female blues writer and performer, Marlene knows the blues from an Aboriginal woman’s perspective. In the tradition of legendary blues women Big Mama Thornton and Bessie Smith, Marlene's story is one of vulnerability, strength and survival.

Marlene Cummings | Sax, Vocals
Clayton Doley | Organ, Accordion, Piano
Zoe Hauptmann | Bass
Calvin Welch | Drums
Special Guest Musicians Tba
Rex Goah | Musical Director

Special guest opening performance from SHAMIN, an experimental jazz duo based in Brisbane/Meanjin, comprising of Sophie Min and Benjamin Shannon.

Sophie Min | Piano
Benjamin Shannon | Drums

SIMA would like to thank Create NSW, Australia Council, The City of Sydney and the Anthony and Sharon Lee Foundation for their generous funding towards the Jazz: NOW Winter program.