SPOTLIGHT ON…
FEM BELLING
Hosted by Kate Normington
Wednesday 24 June at 20h00 (CAT)
Wednesday 24 June at 20h00 (CAT)
Live on &SCENE
Promotional video for SPOTLIGHT ON… FEM BELLING – 24 June
Tune into SPOTLIGHT ON… This week host Kate Normington shines a spotlight on the multi award-winning FEM BELLING and the impressive journey she has traveled from South Africa to theatre and jazz stages across the world while living in the UK and Australia.
SPOTLIGHT ON… Wednesday 24th June at 20h00 CAT on &SCENE FaceBook and YouTube Channels. Direct links can be found via &SCENE’s website: HERE
Each week SPOTLIGHT ON… shines a light on an exceptional South African entertainer who is currently “living the dream” internationally, and flying the SA flag high for us. This week it will be Fem Belling, live from Melbourne, Australia. (it’ll be 04h00 AEST on Thursday 18 June, Fem’s time in Melbourne!)
Hailing from a musical dynasty, Fem Belling is a born performer, starting at a young age at the National School of the Arts before heading to Australia on a ballet scholarship to finish her schooling.
Returning to South Africa, she fast made a name for herself in musical theatre, notching up impressive career credits from her teenage days in Oklahoma, to other highlights including Little Shop of Horrors, Nunsense, Joseph & his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat where she was the first female narrator, Mr Bones, CATS and more.
Being part of the CATS world tour took her across the globe before settling in London for a time. Her fierce determination and fearless desire to succeed notched up remarkable UK and West End recognition in shows including Annie Get Your Gun, Fame, The Boy from Oz, Hairspray and more.
Since living in Australia, as a vocalist and violinist, Fem continues to be a trailblazer on the international jazz scene and has imprinted herself as one of the most formidable and in demand performers.
She has performed at countless international Jazz festivals in a diverse array of countries and shared the stage with the likes of Gregory Porter, Femi Kuti, Hugh Masekela and more.
A multi-award winner spanning three continents, Fem also shot to international attention in Australia, turning all 4 chairs on The Voice with Ricky Martin, Jessie J & Delta Goodrem fighting for the chance to mentor her.
This triple theatre performer of epic proportions, along with her dynamic stage presence, is proof positive that if you work hard at your craft and never stop re-inventing yourself, anything is possible.
Says Co-Producer Collett Dawson; “Fem Belling is one of the most electrifying vocalists to watch on stage – whether it be musical theatre or one of her many Jazz projects. And then she picks up her violin and shows her music prowess too – a dynamic performer so worthy of her many, many awards she’s won in South Africa, England and Australia. ”
Belling responds; “I’m so excited to be featured on Spotlight On… this week – so much so, in fact, that I will be getting up at 4am in Melbourne to do the interview LIVE! Can’t wait to have a catch up with Kate! “
SPOTLIGHT ON… is Free, Live and Online, but should you be in a position to do so, we encourage viewers to support SAFE during the show. SAFE is a Non-Profit initiative, raising relief funds for South Africa’s entertainment, events and festival communities who are hardest hit in the industry during these tough times. For more information, go HERE
To make a donation: GO HERE
Tune into SPOTLIGHT ON… Wednesday 24 June at 20hOO CAT (04h00 AEST ON Thursday 25th June in Australia) on &SCENE’s Facebook LIVE and Youtube Channels. Free, Live and online!
For direct viewing links, click HERE
Send your questions for Fem Belling via HERE
Promotional video for SPOTLIGHT ON… FEM BELLING-24 JUNE
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* All guests appear on the show Subject to Availability.
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Coming Up on SPOTLIGHT ON…
1 July: James & Anel Alexander
8 July: Paul Warwick Griffin & Gareth Hewitt Williams
15 July: Nick Kendall
22 July:Terence Reis
For a detailed weekly &SCENE schedule, go to HERE
SPOTLIGHT ON…. HOST KATE NORMINGTON
FEM BELLING Bio
South African born vocalist and violinist, Fem Belling, is a trailblazer on the international jazz scene and has imprinted herself as one of Australia’s most formidable and in demand performers. Her African Jazz roots powerfully augment her unique musicality and interpretations. “A breathtaking storyteller through music.”
The jazz world hums with ubiquitous young singers revisiting the great American songbook, ‘then one comes along with an instrumentalist’s refrain”, with tandem voice and violin improvisation, Fem is a master force in the art of standard’s-singing and equally at home with the soul, funk side of jazz. A sophisticated palate embracing a spectacular breadth of range.
Hailing from musical dynasty, she has performed with many jazz greats, locally and internationally. Solo projects & collaborations: Ronnie Scotts, Pizza Express, Soho Jazz Fest, Bennetts Lane, JazzLab, Paris Cat, The Royal Variety Show, North Sea Jazz Fest, Hong Kong Jazz Fest, Melbourne Int Jazz Fest , WOMAD, Stonnington Jazz Fest, White Night, Port Fairy Fest, Wangaratta Jazz, Joy of Jazz (SA), Madajazzcar.
She has performed alongside Gregory Porter, Emanuel Harrold, Reggie Watts, Femi Kuti, Chet Faker, Darius Brubeck, Franck Amsallem, Shalosh Trio, Joe Chindamo, John Foreman, Allan Zavod, Hugh Masekela, The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra (ARIA nomination)
A West End leading lady with a fierce CV of Musicals to her name: Liza Minelli in The Boy From Oz, Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, Fame, Cats, JC Superstar.
Fem has performed at the Royal Variety Show, The Dame Edna Show, The Australian Men’s Tennis Final.
Fem shot to international attention turning all 4 chairs on The Voice with Ricky Martin, Jessie J & Delta Goodrem fighting for the chance to mentor her. Jessie J won out, saying she has been “waiting for someone like this”.
Awards: AUSTRALIAN WOMEN IN MUSIC AWARDS nomination. NOW THEN – Best Jazz Album Nominee The Age Music Awards. Recipient of 5 VITA AWARDS. Green Room Award nom: Best Leading Actress.
Fem is a YAMAHA AUSTRALIA ARTIST playing their 5 string Electric Silent violin & YEV.
“Bloody Brilliant – @#*% incredible” – Robbie Williams
It’s impossible to ignore Fem Belling. Once you listen to her voice, see her perform, you know you have to pay attention, take in all that she passionately has to communicate, to narrate, to share. – australianjazz.net
With raw, Macy Gray-like vocal edges, a tempered rhythm and cerebral-deep smooth grooves, this songstress holds us transfixed long after her final note – Ching Pei Khoo THE MUSIC
Belling’s husky vocal scatting breaking the original’s down to delectable, bite-sized morsels. In Belling’s kitchen, she cooks up slow-food jazz – THE MUSIC
“Belling’s prodigious vocal control – truly a chill- inducing performance” – Artshub
“Belling is a pocket rocket with a versatile vocal palette and a gift for improvisation. If it’s music you want to hear, you won’t be disappointed by these lush and limber jazz styling’s” – The Herald Sun
“I believe a new musical star was born on stage last night” – SA Tonight
“Once Fem walks onto the stage you are under her spell.” – The Age
“Belling is an exceptional talent with a compelling, versatile, powerful voice” – the Herald Sun
Credits
Fem is a YAMAHA AUSTRALIA ARTIST
playing their 5 string Electric Silent violin & YEV.