Lakeside at 5: Rachael Thoms Trio

Versatile vocalist, Rachael Thoms joins forces with two of Canberra’s most sought-after musicians, guitarist Lachlan Coventry, and bassist Chris Pound.

Informed by a shared jazz pedigree, these three friends and musical collaborators specialise in creating soulful, sophisticated, playful, and intimate live music performances that defy genre, style and time. Audience interaction and participation are central to their shows, so come prepared to join in!

A graduate of the ANU School of Music with degrees in jazz and classical vocal performance, Rachael is one of a new breed of uniquely versatile vocalists.

She has two independently produced albums under her belt (The Great Unknown with Luke Sweeting, and Nothing But Blue Skies with Lachlan Coventry), has received multiple awards, and has performed in many of Australia’s cultural institutions. In 2023, Rachael recorded with Australian jazz luminary, composer, and pianist Andrea Keller on her twenty-third album release, Flicker & Polar Bird. She was recently awarded her PhD researching improvisation and vocal pedagogy and is a lecturer, researcher, and voice teacher at the ANU School of Music.

Regularly seen playing gigs in and around Canberra, wielding a guitar or bass, Lachlan’s versatility, creative freedom, and technical mastery is widely known. His creative projects as a freelance musician span jazz, folk, rock and country music. A graduate of the ANU School of Music, Lachlan is now on staff as a guitar tutor and a PhD researcher.

Bassist Chris Pound hails from Canberra where he studied Music at the ANU. He has performed with a diverse range of artists from Australia and abroad, spanning a wide range of musical disciplines. His strong fundamental sound and feel have rendered him in high demand upon his return to the Australian Jazz scene.

This year, TAC’s monthly Lakeside at 5 program is giving emerging musicians a chance to share some of their creative talent. Thanks to a new initiative made possible through the Australian Government’s Live Music Australia Grant, as well as enjoying some of Canberra’s favourite local bands, audiences will get to enjoy a short set by an emerging artist.

For this special Lakeside at 5 event, the Rachael Thoms Trio will be joined by Aidan and Bianca – a talented jazz guitar and singer duo, known for their captivating performances and seamless musical chemistry. Aidan’s intricate guitar playing blends skillful chords with soulful melodies, providing the perfect foundation for Bianca’s expressive vocals. Her voice effortlessly moves between smooth, heartfelt ballads and lively, swinging tunes, capturing both the essence of jazz tradition and modern influence.

With a shared passion for jazz, Aidan and Bianca bring a fresh and evocative approach to the genre, making each performance an unforgettable experience.