Christine Sullivan

Christine Sullivan

Christine Sullivan (born in Hobart, Tasmania) is an Australian singer. Her early interest was in contemporary folk and rock idioms, but like her idol Joni Mitchell developed an interest in modern jazz, which she approaches in her own personal style. She moved to Melbourne in 1986, studying classical technique at the Melba Conservatorium, also with American soul, gospel and session vocalist, Venetta Fields. While working at the Limerick Arms in Melbourne in 1990, Christine was heard by British Jazz impresario Ronnie Scott, who invited her to perform at his famous club in London. She performed there later that year, with Chico Freeman and Brainstorm and again in 1992, opening for Chucho Valdés and Irakere. She was a competitor (unplaced) in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition in Washington, D.C. in 1998. The judging panel included Dianne Reeves, Nnenna Freelon, Diana Krall, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Joe Williams. The band backing the competitors included Norman Simmons, Grady Tate and bassist Michael BowieShe has performed at many Australian jazz festivals: the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and the biennial Brisbane Festival. She has performed as guest or lead vocalist with James Morrison, Paul Grabowsky, Don Burrows, Graeme Lyall, Tony Gould, percussionist Alex Pertout, Chad Wackerman, guitarist Doug de Vries, David Hirschfelder, Slava Grigoryan, Joe Chindamo, drummer David Jones, bassist Jeremy Alsop, Art Garfunkel, Randy Crawford and Kurt Elling. She is a regular performer at such venues as Bennetts Lane, The Limerick Arms and Dizzy's Jazz Bar in Melbourne and The Basement in Sydney.

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