Simone Waddell reviews Ruby Jackson and Tina Harrod at the Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival, celebrating talent and female artistry.
A full house greeted two generations of Australian female vocalists at The Vanguard on Friday evening, as SIMA presented Ruby Jackson and Tina Harrod for the 15th Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival. It was an evening celebrating original music, exceptional musicianship, and the distinctive artistry of two singer-songwriters at different stages of their careers.
Opening the evening, Ruby Jackson delivered a set comprising predominantly original compositions, revealing a confident young artist with a developing musical identity. Her intonation was remarkably accurate - bang on, in fact. Her delivery was natural and her songwriting refreshing. Afterwards, Ruby shared with me that her musical journey at the Sydney Conservatorium was focussed on studying film composition, before progressing organically into performing her own material. Her skill set is clearly broad; she opened her set solo, performing one song on guitar, and another on keyboards before the band joined her.
Accompanying Ruby was guitarist Yannick Koffi, a mighty musician I have had the pleasure of hearing and performing with countless times across many years. Yannick also featured on my 2022 album The Art of Collaboration, playing guitar and singing backing vocals on my track "Slow Down." Completing a fantastic rhythm section were Brendan Clark on bass, Alex Coad on drums, and the outstanding Harry Sutherland on keyboards.
I had never heard Sutherland perform before, and within just a few bars I was already loving him! The colours, the ideas, and the musical moments he created were an absolute highlight of my night. His exceptional musicality, sensitivity, and technical command were evident throughout. Sophisticated, inventive, intuitive, and beautifully responsive, his playing demonstrated just how much an exceptional keyboard player can bring to a vocalist's musical expression.
A delightful personal surprise was reconnecting with multi-instrumentalist Clare O'Meara, whom I met aboard the Bravo Performing Arts Cruise to Noumea and New Caledonia in October 2025. We reminisced about the wonderful experience of performing at sea and sailing around the islands before Clare revealed that she was Ruby's mother! Suddenly, Ruby's natural musical instincts made perfect sense.
Special recognition must go to sound engineer Felix Bodewes-Leach, whose work was exemplary throughout the evening. Both vocalists benefited from beautifully clean, clear and balanced sound, allowing every nuance of their performances to be appreciated. I absolutely love it when a singer's voice can be heard with crystal clarity, and Felix truly delivered. Outstanding live sound makes an enormous difference, particularly in a concert showcasing original vocal music.
Headliner Tina Harrod then took command of the stage with the authority, confidence and unmistakable soul that have made her such a beloved figure in Australian music.
Harrod may be petite in stature, yet her presence and voice are formidable. She commands the stage with the confidence of an artist who has nothing to prove, yet everything to communicate. Her delivery has strength, attitude, and emotional depth, coupled with the complete artistic conviction that comes from decades of experience. Nothing feels forced or contrived. She inhabits her songs with authenticity, communicating every lyric with purpose and an undeniable connection to her audience. A believable singer, which is about as good as it gets.
Supporting Harrod was the incomparable Matt McMahon on keyboards, another exceptional musician I have had the great pleasure of performing with on numerous occasions. Guitarist Ollie Thorpe, who became one of my new favourites after hearing him at Paul Mason's Jeff Beck tribute show recently, brought his own distinctive artistry to the ensemble. Together with the excellent rhythm section of Dave Symes on bass and Evan Mannell on drums, the band provided a superb musical foundation.
Harrod presented a compelling selection of original material drawn from albums spanning her career, alongside a new composition from her forthcoming album, UnderWorld, scheduled for release in March 2027.
Her devoted audience responded warmly throughout, clearly appreciating an artist whose soulful expression, strength, and stage presence remain as persuasive as ever. Harrod is entirely comfortable in her own skin, and that confidence translates into a performance of considerable power, freedom, and emotional honesty.
Two women at different stages of their artistic journeys, united by the courage to write their own stories and the musical conviction to share them. A fitting celebration of the creative voices at the heart of the Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival.
Review by: Simone Waddell