26 May 2025
By James Mullan
Lovers of jazz and blues will be thrilled by the announcement that international star singer Judith Owen is heading down under for a one-night-only performance at the Hayden Orpheum, Cremorne, on Saturday, 21 June.
Since releasing her first album, Emotions on a Postcard, in 1996, Owen has become renowned around the world for her incredible voice and silky jazz stylings.
Owen’s 2024 live album, Judith Owen Comes Alive, was voted one of the best albums of 2024 by The London Times and will feature heavily in her set at the Orpheum.
She will also perform songs from the hugely successful 2022 album, Come On & Get It, which has over 3 million album streams and 1 million YouTube views.
The album was inspired by influential yet overlooked female jazz and blues performers from the 1940s and 1950s, stemming from Owen’s childhood admiration of these trailblazers of a bygone era. No doubt Owen was inspired by fellow Welsh singer Shirley Bassey.
Originally from Wales, Owen and her band have performed over a hundred sold-out shows in the past 18 months, including New Orleans, New York City, Paris, London, Bern, and Milan.
“I am thrilled to be heading back to one of my favourite countries in the world to present my heart-thumping ‘love-letter’ to the bold and unapologetic women of jazz and blues from the ’40s, ’50s, and beyond, accompanied by my incredible New Orleans band. I can’t wait to see you again, Australia!” Owen said in a statement.
Joining Owen and her band on the night will be Australian jazz virtuoso James Morrison, who is renowned for his extraordinary talent and status is considered by some as “one of Australia’s finest music exports”.
Morrisons has collaborated with some of the most iconic names in music such as Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea, George Benson, Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, B.B. King, and Wynton Marsalis. He has also performed at some of the most prestigious jazz clubs worldwide, including Birdland, The Blue Note, and Village Vanguard in New York, as well as Ronnie Scott’s in London.
It doesn’t get much better for fans of jazz and locals looking for a night packed with fine music. Tickets are available at https://www.orpheum.com.au/movie/judith-owen-down-under-featuring-james-morrison