18/03/2026
Women of the World ~ Saturday, 7th March 2026 (Matinee Session)
Women of the World Australia are celebrating International Women’s Day for the third successive year with the Brisbane Jazz Club, proudly presenting an extraordinary celebration of female artistry, showcasing 11 outstanding women in jazz across four generations, curated by Ingrid James. Ingrid knows how to put on a great show after years of also running the Vocal Jazz Festival, Voices of Tomorrow and Jazz Singers Jam Nights; and she has been honoured for her efforts with the Cultural/Arts Award 2025 and invitation to be an Ambassador for this year’s Lord Mayor’s Australia Day celebrations.
The day started with acknowledgement of Country with Auntie Ruth Ghee and a formal welcome from Cathy Hunt, the ‘Of One Mind’ co-founder, a not for profit company behind the development of the Women of the World Festival in Australia.
The first set was launched by the emerging artists led by Lizzy Harman, a 17-year-old saxophonist, composer and bandleader, joined by Sabrina Yong Gee (piano), Amelia Howell-Smith (bass), and special guest Orli Wachtel (trombone), performing jazz standards and original works by contemporary Australian women composers. Grace King was on the kit for the entire Matinee programme.
Joining us from Sydney and closing out the set was our special guest, Sandie White - at 88 years young, she is Australia’s oldest actively performing jazz singer. Described as “not just a singer, she’s an experience”; and her professional journey began in 1955. Peta Wilson (piano) and Helen Russell (bass) joined Grace on drums as Sandie’s backing trio.
The second set featured the massive voice of proud Yuwibara and South Sea Island vocalist, Phoebe Ellison, whose rich operatic training meets jazz, R&B, folk and contemporary pop influences developed through the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts.
Drummer, bandleader, singer and songwriter Grace King and her trio were joined by Martha Baartz (tenor and flute), blending the vocal warmth of Karen Carpenter’s music with her own evocative originals and storytelling-driven jazz, pop and R&B.
A lot happened in two sets there and Cathy Hunt was invited to offer closing remarks for this matinee session.
