Collaborating #2: Alex Hahn
Alex Hahn is an Australian jazz singer, who spent a few years in Galway, initially singing with the band Electrogecko, before we got together to form a jazz duo.
When we first started performing together, it was along with two other singers, Sarah Elaine and Meadhbh Sullivan, doing jazz/60′s girl-group numbers as the opening act for the Cuckoo’s Nest weekly cabaret night, as well as solo jazz standards from Alex.
This developed into a weekend residency playing jazz standards, and our own jazz-influenced takes on pop and rock songs such as Gossip’s Standing In The Way Of Control, Jason Mraz’s You And I Both and Mr. Zebra by Tori Amos.
For special occasions we drafted in some local brass players, and a drummer, to give a big-band jazz sound to classics like Big Spender and Feelin’ Good.
It was a big departure for me, going from adding piano to Anna Lee’s original songs to interpreting jazz standards and other covers with Alex, but it really expanded my range musically and taught me to use the piano in different ways.
Alex has since moved back to Australia, but is still making beautiful music. Check out her sublime vocals at her myspace:
MYSPACE: Alex Hahn
