Ms Murphy Thredbo Jazz Festival Interview

Celebrating 27 years of spectacular Jazz in Australia, the Thredbo Jazz Festival has just announced an explosive line up that promises to deliver one of the most unique festivals of the year. So mark your calendar, grab your friends and be in Thredbo on May 2-4 for a true celebration of the evolution and revolution of Jazz.

The program is loaded with spectacular artists, covering every continent and genre with 18 acts playing throughout the weekend. Star performers Mahalia Barnes, Ms Murphy, Monica Trapaga with Bob Barnard, and George Washingmachine big swing band featuring Parisienne star Tricia Evy will be joined by an amazing line up including Barry Leif, Ray Beadle, Jeff Duff Trio, Righteous Voodoo, Todd Hardy Trio, Harry Brus Funk Band, The Jews Brothers Band, Chris Gudu & Afro Pamoja, Acca Daiquiris, Illya Szwec Band, Brasil Oito (8 piece latin jazz), Nigel Gavin and Richard Adams, and even performances by The Mosman High Jazz Band.

Thredbo's Jazz Festival will take you on a journey from the traditional roots of Jazz to its most modern exponents. Monica Trapaga, one of the nation's elite jazz singers, teams up with Bob Barnard, an esteemed veteran, to create a unique sound while new stars Mahalia Barnes and Ms Murphy will explode on the intimate stages in Thredbo. Multi-instrumentalist George Washingmachine brings big swing with European flavour and the delightful Parisienne star Tricia Evy.

'This is undoubtedly the best line-up in the festival's long and established history." (Festival Director, Stewart Wauchop)

Legendary musician Jeff Duff, always a crowd favourite, loves this festival. "I've been coming to Thredbo to play for over 20 years now. I love how Thredbo gives all musicians the creative freedom to showcase their best and be themselves. I always look forward to coming back to Thredbo, it is my favourite festival, run by my favourite people," he said

The combination of concert, intimate and poolside venues showcasing artists at their best will create a party not to be missed with your accommodation just a short walk home.

There is an accommodation option to suit everyone in Thredbo with all inclusive 3 night and 2 day festival and accommodation packages starting from only $300 per person. Early bird tickets are limited and only available until the end March. Make sure you book today.

For the full festival line up of artists, program, accommodation and ticket prices visit www.thredbo.com.au or call Thredbo Resort Centre on 1300 020 589

Interview with Ms Murphy

Question: What are you looking forward to most about the Thredbo Jazz Festival?

Ms Murphy: Seeing the landscape and hearing the other artists.


Question: Which of the other artists performing at the Thredbo Jazz Festival are you most excited to see?

Ms Murphy: I am a huge fan of Righteous Voodoo.

Question: Have you attended the Thredbo Jazz Festival before?

Ms Murphy: I'm really excited because this will be my first time at Thredbo Jazz Festival.


Question: What have you been up to since The Voice 2013?

Ms Murphy: I have been one of the few to be signed to universal. I've also recorded an EP with Lance Ferguson from The Bamboos. I have been singing at many special events including being asked to sing the national anthem on Anzac Day in Wellington for the AFL. I have also just finished a sold out national tour.


Question: What can you tell us about your five track EP -White Dress And The Spirit'?

Ms Murphy: This EP was something I was really excited to do. I had the opportunity to work with Lance Ferguson from the Bamboos. We wrote two songs together and reworked three covers. He is amazing to work with and I feel the EP was a true celebration of my time on the Voice.


Question: Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?

Ms Murphy: Yes I write my own songs. The music dictates where I want to go with a song.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?
Ms Murphy: I love doing both for different reasons. When performing live you have the opportunity to capture a lot of things in the moment. When I record I allow myself to experiment more.


Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Ms Murphy: To be honest, I'm not very good at anything else. Music was the only thing I was good at.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Ms Murphy: Being able to create. I love sharing music with people.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Ms Murphy: Maxwell

60 Second Quiz

Full Name: Ms Murphy/Karen Lee Latu Andrews

Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Film: The Help
Favorite Actor: Brad Pitt
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Jill Scott
First Job: Kitchen hand in a nursing home
Are you a Pub, Bar or Club kind: I like all three
What Can You Never Leave Home Without: iPhone
Car I want to own: Land Rover
Prized Possession: My strat
What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning: Coffee


Interview by Brooke Hunter