WEST meets East!
Join Kavisha in concert at the Conscious Living Expo 20th November Click here
Kavisha Mazzella is an ARIA award-winning singer-songwriter who does not believe in world music. It’s just music!!! Music unites us and creating imaginary titles such as world music is silly! She enjoys crossing musical boundaries and creating community experiences in her shows. She first came to national attention with her appearance in the Franco Di Chiera documentary ” Joys Of The Women” in 1993.
Drawing on her rich multicultural heritage she creates contemporary songs with haunting melodies and lyrical depth. While her early influences come from the singer-songwriter tradition of the likes of Sandy Denny, Joni Mitchell, and Leonard Cohen, over time due to her passion for Italian regional folksong, she has absorbed influences from the East with its modal tones and ecstatic singing styles of Indian, Arabic, Southern Italian, and Gypsy influenced song and links these with western folk music influences. Other influences that have made an impression on Kavisha’s music are her interest in meditation and mysticism through the teachings of Osho, Sufism, Tibetan Buddhist Masters, and Advaita.
Her CDs “Mermaids in the Well” (1995), Fisherman’s Daughter(1998) “Silver Hook Tango “(2003) Love and Sorrow (2011) Riturnella (2014), and The Fearless Note (2017) are available through her independent label Mazzella Music in Australia.
MUSIC AWARDS:
She is a winner of various awards including the 1998 ARIA for her album ” Fisherman’s Daughter”. Silver Hook Tango was Nominated for an ARIA in 2004. Kavisha received the Italia Nel Mondo Award in 2000 for her contribution to the sharing of Italian Culture in Australia through the setting up of Italian Women’s choirs and West Australian Music Industry awards for songwriting. In 2004 she was awarded PORT FAIRY ARTIST OF THE YEAR. In 2008 Kavisha was awarded the Multicultural Commission Excellence award. In 2011 Kavisha was awarded an Australia Day Honour for her contribution to music and serving the community.
FESTIVALS:
Her shows have people singing along before they know it. Since 1990, She has performed extensively and also runs songwriting and choral workshops at music festivals such as Maleny, Woodford Folk Festivals, and International festivals such as Edenborough Fringe, Cork Arts Festival, Australia Festival Dublin. Brunswick Music Festival and Port Fairy.
THEATRE:
1990-2003 Composed and performed for Deck Chair Theatre Fremantle WA with Director Angela Chaplin. In 2011-12 Kavisha collaborated with one of India’s top actors Arjun Raina and the Colonial, the Convict, the Cockatoo a show exploring Australian History. Kavisha collaborated with Author actor and storyteller Andrew Lindsay ” Mermaids in the Well and the Devil’s on my shoulder!” and with author Arnold Zable In the 2 man show” Anytime The Wind Can Change’ inspiring tales of Australia’s indigenous people, immigrants, and refugees.
CHORAL-Ology
CHOIRS:
Since the late eighties, Kavisha has been collecting Italian popular and folk songs remembered by Italian migrants, arranging them in Choral form to be sung and kept alive by the choirs ‘Le Gioie Delle Donne (Joys of The Women) in Fremantle West Australia and “La Voce Della Luna” (Voice Of The Moon) in Melbourne(1996-2013) Victoria. She directs the open community choir ” The Moon’s A Balloon ” for all whose lives are touched by mental illness which is sponsored by WELLWAYS. Kavisha also leads “Coro Del Oro” Ballarat Italian Choir. Other Choirs include temporary choirs for festivals such as Way Out West Festival “Song Nation” 2002, Woodford Festival Fire event choirs (1997-2001) Various festivals in Australia including Port Fairy Folk Festival, Sing For Water choir 2006 at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games Music Festival, Jonathan Welch’s Melbourne International Singers Festival 2009 and 2019.
COMMISSIONS:
In 2004 Kavisha was commissioned by the Victorian Government along with established songwriters such as David Bride, Shane Howard, and Deborah Conway and others to write a song in commemoration of the Eureka Stockade Rebellion of 1854. Kavisha wrote, “TUNC JUSTUS ” a 12 minute choral for the Italian Women’s Choir “La Voce Della Luna ” which premiered at the “Echoes Of Freedom” Festival in Ballarat to a standing ovation. In 2007 Victorian Women’s Trust commissioned Kavisha to write a women’s Anthem “Love and Justice “to celebrate 100 years of Suffrage in Victoria This was celebrated in 2008.( see YouTube )
“Kavisha sings with the voice of a heartbroken angel”
Victoria Laurie, The Australian
Whether working solo or with others, Kavisha has carved a strong reputation as a performer, song maker, composer, theatre worker, and teacher; playing guitar, mandolin, and piano accordion. It is her hauntingly beautiful voice, capable of power and nuance, humour, and spontaneity on stage that makes no two shows alike. In her music, the East meets West and tracks the journeys of many migrants in the world.
Singing in English and Italian, Kavisha’s songs come from the heart and take you on a witty, joyful, poetic journey. She is currently based in Perth Western Australia.
Join Kavisha at the Conscious Living Expo Empty Sky Cosmic Cabaret & Sound Healing Event – 4.30 pm to 7 pm in the Main Stage marquee and receive FREE entry into the Expo on Saturday, Nov 20th from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm Event Tickets
– Here is a track for you
