Speakeasy: A Jazz Cabaret That Swings At The Adelaide Cabaret Fringe

Speakeasy – A night of Jazz in Adelaide’s premiere Cabaret Club, Bavarde. Enter a world where the height of nightlife was at the Speakeasy. When jazz music poured out of every club, folks would swoon to a broadway tune, or dance the night away to the swinging songs of the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s. Featuring award winning local singer Kylie Ferreira and her outstanding jazz trio, playing tunes from the Great American Songbook. With local, national and international performing credits, Kylie brings a wealth of experience and captivating interpretations of jazz classics you know and love. And what better location than Adelaide’s own Bavarde Cabaret Club – dim the lights, pull up a chair and enjoy the music! Anastasia Lambis speaks with Kylie Ferreira about the shows.

It’s Adelaide Cabaret Fringe Festival time and you have a show Speakeasy: A Jazz Cabaret That Swings, can you tell us a bit about the show Speakeasy: A Jazz Cabaret That Swings?
I guess I’d have to first set the scene for the audience: enter a world where the height of nightlife was at the Speakeasy. When jazz music poured out of every club, folks would swoon to a broadway tune, or dance the night away to the swinging songs of the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s. I want to recreate that golden era, so my jazz trio and I will be playing tunes from the Great American Songbook and bringing the audience into our 2025 Speakeasy! I’ll be telling a few stories about the songs, about my connections between the music and my own life, with a little jazz history thrown in!

How did you come up with the idea of the show?
What inspired me was a trip to New York eighteen months ago when I went to the Village Vanguard in Greenwich Village. It is an iconic underground jazz club that has seen many of the great jazz artists since the 1940’s, like Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. I thought “how cool would it be to recreate this vibe in Adelaide?” and the idea for Speakeasy was born.

Is this the first time you have performed at the Adelaide Cabaret Fringe Festival and are you looking forward to it?
It is the first time I’ve put on my own show, yes! I’ve been a guest performer in previous years, but I am excited to finally bring my own event to the program.

What can audiences expect from the show?
Great music, especially if you love jazz and the vintage era of live music. My musicians are some of the best in Adelaide with years of experience performing to audiences across Australia. What sets it apart is the connection we all have from years of friendship, which you will definitely see in the way we interact on stage.

The show is at Bavarde Cabaret Club which is great for cabaret, does the venue make a difference when performing Jazz music?
Absolutely. I mean, you can play jazz anywhere really. But the cabaret style of performance is more about the “show”. What is perfect about Bavarde is that it has a vibe from the moment you walk in – the lighting, the bar, the stage – and it sets the scene for something exciting to happen.

You will be performing songs from the Great American Songbook, can you tell us a few of the songs/artists you will be singing?
I’ve idolised many singers over the years, so I wanted to include songs by my favourites. You will hear some and Ella and Duke Ellington (It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing), Judy Garland (Over The Rainbow) and also some contemporary artists like Kurt Elling (You Don’t Know What Love Is), Eva Cassidy (Blue Skies) and Laufey (I Wish You Love).

Which song is your favourite to perform in this show?
One of my all-time favourite songs is What A Wonderful World, made famous by the great Louis Armstrong. I’ve been inspired by a few different versions, so I can’t wait to deliver my own take on this beautiful track.

How long have you been performing and particularly Jazz?
Well, a lady never tells! Let’s just say twenty years plus…

Describe your show in three words?
Emotive, timeless, swingin’!

Interview By Anastasia Lambis

For tickets and show information head to the Adelaide Cabaret Fringe…