A.S The first job I got after training to be a concert violinist was playing and singing jazz in a 1930s show called ‘The clouds will soon roll by’ - a sign of things to come! We formed the jazz group ‘Sirius’ some years ago, but the mainstream side was kept on ice as it evolved into a Brazilian jazz band Sirius B. Although I love the bossa nova as a singer, there is much more scope for the violin in jazz and other forms of latin jazz such as salsa, so I re-formed the jazz quartet.
BMJ. We have a copy of your demo CD - have you any plans to make this available to purchase?
A.S. We've just recorded the album Out There, which I'm very excited about, not least because we have guest appearances with Jason Rebello, Iain Ballamy and Mike Mower, in addition to the inspired playing of the band. I'm currently trying to get this released and will have copies of the album for sale at the gig.
BMJ. Who will you have playing with you on April 4th?
A.S. Joe Cavanagh on keyboards, Thad Kelly on bass and Scott Hammond on drums.
BMJ. Our members will be familiar with Scott as he played here recently with Kevin Figes and a lot us will know of Thad through his father Rod who had a long standing connection with Abergavenny. Tell us a little about Joe.
A.S. Joe is both my husband and my musical partner. He also plays keyboards in our Brazilian Jazz group Sirius B, He's a great musical director, arranger producer and composer, we co write many of the tunes together. More about him on www.siriusbonline.co.uk.
BMJ. Your album has a large proportion of originals. How important is composing to you?
A.S. I’ve been writing songs for many years and it's a big part of what I do, I think it's important to make your own statement in jazz, as well as acknowledging the classic standards. For me, it's important to communicate with original music, especially as, chances are the audience will be hearing your compositions for the first time. I'd like them to leave humming the tunes!
BMJ. What plans have you for the immediate future?
A.S. Promote the album, jazz festival appearances. I'm also working on a ‘jazz dance ballet’ that will involve dancers and jazz musicians improvising together. But that involves arts council funding to set in motion a nationwide tour.
BMJ. Azhaar, many thanks for taking part, and we’re looking forward to seeing you and the band at Black Mountain Jazz on 4 April.