BESSIE * BILLIE * DINAH
Songs & Stories of ‘BESSIE SMITH’, ‘BILLIE HOLIDAY’ & ‘DINAH WASHINGTON’ (4pc show)
The show is confident, classy and contains some great songs, stories and musicianship”
The Clothesline, Adrian Miller 2020. 4 STAR REVIEW Adelaide Fringe 2020
BESSIE * BILLIE * DINAH
EMPRESS, LADY & QUEEN OF THE BLUES
Join us in resurrecting the stories, lives and music of these three Musical Giants of the early 20th Century.
- One, was a the highest paid performer of her era in the world
- One, was awarded four posthumous Grammy’s
- One, had nine husbands!
They all sang from their souls, touched the hearts of millions and died before their 45th birthday’s!
Leading such high profile lives for their time, these three iconic singers influenced each other whilst blazing the trail for many of those who followed, even the late Amy Winehouse. Performing and recording with the biggest bands and orchestras of the day including Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton & Quincy Jones whilst pouring their heartaches & happiness into these unforgettable songs like AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’, MAKIN’ WHOOPEE, ST. LOUIS BLUES & more. You may even find yourself singing along to songs like SEND ME TO THE ELECTRIC CHAIR!!
Relive the stories & masterpieces of song of these three pioneering, black female vocalists through interpretations by
South Australian Quartet, JAZZ in CHEEK featuring:-
BONNIE LEE GALEA on voice (Blonde Bombshells of Jazz)
QUINTON DUNNE on Double Bass/Voice (The Beggars),
RICHARD COATES on Keys (The Huckleberry Swedes) &
JOSH CHENOWETH on trumpet (The Hot Sardines)
ADELAIDE FRINGE 2017, Audience Testamonials
“We all thoroughly enjoyed the show. The unknown back stories on Bessie, Billie and Dinah were particularly enlightening-sad, funny and tragic.” Kathy Bergland, SA, March 2017
Loved the show … Bonnie and her band’s tribute to these 3 blues legends was brilliant!! Anne Mitchell, SA, March 2017
Bonnie Galea’s ‘Bessie, Billie and Dinah’ Show was well executed, brilliantly played by Quinton Dunne, Richard Coates, Josh Chenoweth and sung to perfection by Bonnie. Debra Thorsen, Event Organiser ‘The Port Rocks’ & ‘Semaphore Music Festival’ [SA] 2017
Showreel ~ 6min 30sec (2min for each singer – Bessie * Billie * Dinah)
Please find all links to high res images, marketing & specs at the bottom of this page. For further info, available dates or quotes CLICK HERE
WEEKENDNOTES: Editorial Piece by Haydn Radford
ADELAIDE FRINGE REVIEWS 2016/2017
Each of the eponymous singers is given half a dozen songs, with chat about their life. Bessie’s darkly funny Send Me to the ‘Lectric Chair, which Galea got the audience singing along to. Moving onto Billie Holliday, we were treated to God Bless the Child, Gloomy Sunday and Loverman, Finally, Dinah Washington’s Ain’t Misbehavin’, Teach Me Tonight and Makin’ Whoopee, finishing with her big hit What a Difference a Day Makes. Galea is a fine singer with beautiful tone and pitch. Adelaide Fringe 2017 Review, GLAM ADELAIDE SA
“Bonnie is to be applauded for reminding us about this largely forgotten singer Dinah Washington.” “The connection between them is living tormented lives, and dying tragically at an early age.” “Meanwhile, sit back with a glass of wine and enjoy some of the great songs this show has to offer.” Adelaide Fringe 2016 Review, CLOTHESLINE Magazine SA
PHOTO:- Kathleen Morris
TARGET MARKET :- Seniors & 40 + & Fans of music from the early 20th Century.
TECH :- Basic Lighting, Data Projector for Stills, 3-4 piece band, Tech LINK BELOW, upright or grand piano if available but not compulsory.
MARKETING FOR THEATRES:
CLICK BELOW for LINKS & DOWNLOADS of Key Images & PDF docs [some larger files are available upon request]
BBD Media Release, Adelaide Fringe 2020
SELECTION OF BLURBS FROM 25 words to 285 words / incl info, tweets on ADELAIDE FRINGE DATES FOR 2020
BBD Band Head Shots, thumbnail
BBD Key Image B&W Instruments with text
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PREVIOUS PERFORMANCES:
2020 Adelaide Fringe presented by Bonnie Lee Galea
- Sat 29 Feb / 8pm at Treasury 1860 in the Courtyard, Adelaide City
- Sun 1 Mar / 12.45pm Matinee in Murray Bridge Town Hall for Murray Bridge Fringe
- Sat 14 Mar / 8pm at Treasury 1860 in the Courtyard, Adelaide City
2020 Adelaide Fringe presented by Bonnie Lee Galea & Stirling Fringe
- Fri 28 Feb / 2.30pm Matinee in The Pocket
2020 Noarlunga Arts Centre Adelaide Fringe Program presented by City of Onkaparinga
- Sat 15 Feb / 8pm
2018 Adelaide Cabaret Fringe Festival [SA] Sold Out
2017 Semaphore Music Festival [SA] Sold Out
2017 Adelaide Fringe [SA] Sold Out 2 shows
2017 Umbrella Festival [SA] Sold Out 2 shows
2017 Paris Cat Jazz Club [VIC]
2016 Umbrella Festival [SA] Sold Out 2 shows
2016 Paris Cat Jazz Club [VIC]