Bio
Australian jazz vocalist Amanda Magrin (or Maggie as she is known to some) has returned to her home town in South Wales after living in Australia for 30 years. During that time she was a regular performer at Dizzys Jazz Club in Melbourne and the surrounding jazz scene and has also performed at the major local jazz festivals and with big bands for swing dance events.
Amanda is classically trained with a background in musical theatre but now sings mostly jazz/blues/swing.
Amanda was a late bloomer when it came to performing in public but winning various singing competitions in Melbourne gave her the confidence to pursue jazz singing more seriously.
Her voice is repeatedly described as ‘beautiful’ with a ‘timbre that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end’. She has a diverse ability to sing different genres and blur boundaries… ‘She is like a Mocking Jay songbird.’ With an uncanny knack of being able to bring whatever the song requires… She can sing like Vera Lynn for VE Day events and then reincarnate Billie Holiday when she’s singing the Blues but in her own individual unique style that is hers alone.
A childhood obsession with watching musicals and listening to her dad’s Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra records led to her discovery of jazz , swing & blues. She was later influenced by Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone.
Her love of singing songs from musicals continues… even the non jazz standards variety which lends to her ability to tell a story in song and accentuate in all of the right places. Recent gig themes include ‘Cole Porter meets Gershwin’ which are a great success!
Amanda (Maggie) is available for hire with a band in a variety of configurations to suit your event. Including weddings, swing dance events or Speakeasy 1920-30s. She is available as a soloist for guest spots, session work or with backing tracks.
Her band Ms. Maggie & The Cats Pyjamas is proving very popular and will be appearing at some major International Jazz & Blues Festivals. Playing a melting pot of1920/30s jazz, blues and swing with a New Orleans vibe!
Please make contact to discuss your requirements.