Marloo’s Blues

James Fairfax Theatre

General Admission $70
Concession $63

Marlene Cummins, aka ‘Marloo’, is a saxophonist, activist, proud Guguyelandji and Woppaburra woman and an Australian blues legend.  Growing up under the cloud of the Aboriginal Protection Act of the 1950s and 60s, Marlene was born into a very politically aware family. She refined her skills as a blues saxophonist and songwriter at the Berklee College of Music Boston in the mid-90s.

Considered one of Australia’s foremost First Nations blues writers and performers, Marlene knows the blues from an Aboriginal woman’s perspective.  In the tradition of legendary blues women Big Mama Thornton and Bessie Smith, her story is one of vulnerability, strength and, ultimately, survival.

Artists
Marlene Cummins | sax, vocals
Clayton Doley | organ, accordion, piano
Lauren White | bass
Ji Eun You | cello
Calvin Welch | drums
Ben Hauptmann | guitar
Rex Goh | Musical director
William Barton | didgeridoo

This performance is part of the Canberra International Music Festival presented in partnership with the National Gallery of Australia.