WA jazz vocalist Libby Hammer was destined to be a star. With years of gymnastics training under her belt, she developed a taste for the spotlight in her adolescence and early twenties, performing regularly in musical theatre productions, including the circus musical Barnum. She then went on to study jazz at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, majoring in arranging and vocal performance. Today, Libby is one of Perth’s leading jazz vocalists, having performed alongside industry icons such as James Morrison and Joe Chindamo.
Photography: Ryan Ammon
This July, Libby will join the award-winning WA Wind Symphony and emerging collaborative pianist Adrian Soares for Symphony of Colour, a delightful concert inspired by colour and light. The concert will feature the world premiere of Australian composer Rachel Bruerville’s The Colours of Light, the Australian premiere of Philip Sparke’s A Colour Symphony, Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue, and more.
We spoke to Libby about her passion for performing, what drew her to jazz music, and what she’s looking forward to about the upcoming concert.
With a background in musical theatre, gymnastics, and circus, it’s no wonder you were destined for a career in the spotlight! What ignited your love of performing?
I always wanted to be a performer, and nobody ever told me I couldn’t, so I did! Though I do suspect that the indescribable thrill of taking a curtain call on the stage at His Majesty’s Theatre at the age of eleven clinched it for me. That feeling is hard to beat! My sister and I were lucky because our parents took us to lots of shows and those were my most favourite childhood times ever.
Can you describe how being on stage makes you feel?
It has changed over the years. In the early days I used to feel nervous, which I never enjoyed much, and to this day, I do what I can to avoid the tummy flutters. I’ve experienced being on stage as the most crushing responsibility one day and the most frivolous caprice on earth the next. Let’s be honest, being a singer is a weird job. These days what is exciting and precious to me is to be with the ensemble and the audience, really WITH them, and to create a unique, joyous, and truthful moment in time.
You obviously have an impressive range of performing arts skills, but you’re best known these days for your work as a jazz vocalist. What was it about jazz that stood out to you when choosing this path?
What I love about jazz is its freedom. Freedom to interpret, to phrase, to play like a child with the melody and with the meaning. I love to react to the exact moment we’re in and to permit that spontaneity. Sometimes I liken the feeling of performing jazz to swimming – it just feels nice to flail about – and it’s good for you!
Photography: Unknown
Which musicians, jazz or otherwise, have influenced your music style the most?
This may seem bizarre to the jazz purists out there, but I have spent very little of my practise time thinking about my vocal sound. Any vocal style I may or may not have has come primarily from doggedly pursuing improvements in my vocal technique. Obtaining good vocal technique has been a long and difficult journey for me, and I really feel like it’s starting to come good, which is pretty exciting (and ridiculously late, considering that I’ve been at this game for over 25 years). So those vocal influences come from my teachers, and quite unconsciously from the singers whose records I have worn thin over the years – Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Anita O’ Day, Amy Winehouse, Aretha Franklin, Norah Jones, Peggy Lee, Doris Day.
Repertoire-wise, I’m just a dag, and I like songs that are funny and clever, so I can’t help choosing songs from cabaret or musical theatre. I’m also heavily influenced by the composers I admire, like Burt Bacharach and Johnny Mercer, and also many musical theatre composers.
There are some fantastic works featured in Symphony of Colour. Which one are you most excited to perform and why is it so special?
They’re all beauties, but I will say Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White, because it’s traditionally heard as an instrumental piece only. I anticipate that people familiar with the melody will be surprised to hear the lyrics, which are a little bit cheesy – my favourite flavour!
As its name suggests, this upcoming concert is heavily inspired by colour. Which colour best represents your personality and why?
Ooh, cool question! A few years ago I would have said fire engine red, as that’s my ‘brand’ colour, and it’s such a bold, exciting colour. But I have mellowed over the past few years, and since I have grown out my natural hair colour, I think I am now better represented by the more demure and, dare I say, sophisticated hue of silver. Plus I really love shiny things!
Don’t miss Symphony of Colour on Friday 22 July, 7pm. Find tickets and more information.
