Postcards – Melodies from Afar

Estampa

Rebecca Karlen voice/violin/viola/nyckelharpa

Paul Henderson banjo/acoustic guitar

John Reeves button accordion

Samuel Vincent double bass

Postcards – Melodies from Afar

A Musical Voyage across Cultures and Continents.

Embark on a captivating musical journey with Postcards – Melodies from Afar, a concert that blends jazz, classical, folk and world music in a truly unique experience. From the fierce folky jazz of Django Reinhardt’s Seul ce soir to the romantic bossa nova of Antônio Carlos Jobim’s Corcovado, this performance explores the depth and beauty of diverse musical traditions.

Original compositions like Hora De Nundah, inspired by Balkan rhythms, and N'Awlins, capturing the essence of New Orleans jazz, are paired with traditional Swedish folk songs like Kristallen den fina and Halling Från Ekshärad.

Experience a beautiful arrangement that intertwines Chopin’s Prelude in E minor with Jobim’s How Insensitive, effortlessly blending classical and bossa nova. Bie Mir Bistu Shein is a beloved Yiddish classic that evokes a nostalgic charm, while the lively rhythms of Farmors Brudpolska transports you across continents. The concert concludes with a brilliant arrangement of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, celebrating the timeless appeal of Baroque music.

PROGRAM

Django REINHARDT (1910–1953)
Seul ce soir (1942)

Antônio Carlos JOBIM (1927–1994)
Corcovado (1960)

Samuel VINCENT (b. c. 1980s–1990s)
Hora De Nundah (2024)

Traditional (Sweden)
Kristallen den fina

John REEVES
N'Awlins

Django REINHARDT (1910–1953)
Nuages (1940)

Tony MURENA (1917–1970) & Joseph COLOMBO
Indifférence (1942)

TRADITIONAL (Ghana)
Fireman

GAROTO (1915–1955)
Desvairada

Interval

John REEVES
Lay Down Your Arms and Make Merry

Anselmo AIETA (1896–1964) & Francisco GARCÍA JIMÉNEZ (1899–1980)
Mariposita (1941)

Serge GAINSBOURG (1928–1991)
La Javanaise (1963)

Traditional (Sweden)
Halling Från Ekshärad

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810–1849) / Antônio Carlos JOBIM (1927–1994)
Chopin Prelude in E minor / How Insensitive (1839 / 1963)

Traditional (Sweden)
Farmors Brudpolska

Sholom SECUNDA (1894–1974) & Others
Bei Mir Bistu Shein (1932)

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685–1750)
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3: third movement (1721)

About the Artists

Estampa is a Brisbane quartet that blends elements of world, folk, chamber and jazz music. Their performances evoke the charm of Parisian streets, the passion of South American culture, and the haunting beauty of Swedish folk music. The group's diverse and unconventional instrumentation creates a captivating and dynamic sound that is sure to enthral any listener.

Estampa features Rebecca Karlen on violin, viola, nyckelharpa and vocals, Paul Henderson on guitar and banjo, John Reeves on button accordion, and Samuel Vincent on double bass. Each member brings their own diverse and unique musical background and expertise to the group.

Rebecca Karlen completed her Master of Music Research from the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University in 2022. She has been an active freelance musician in both Australia and in her hometown, Stockholm, Sweden. Rebecca enjoys performing a wide range of music styles in different musical contexts, as both a violinist and a singer. Her wide-ranging work as a musician includes working with the QLD Pops Orchestra, Mirusia, the Australian Session Orchestra, Topology, and for several different performers’ agencies, such as Bentley’s Agency, Angelstrings and the Queensland Performers Agency. 

John Reeves is a jazz accordionist, pianist and composer born in the UK, and formally trained in classical piano at the Royal College of Music. After graduating, John embarked on a career in jazz piano, performing in London and, since 2003, all around Australia. In 2007 John travelled to Ghana pursuing an interest in West African music, studying drumming, singing and dance with The Kusun Ensemble. On returning, he formed/joined groups with local African musicians eventually touring to Japan and Taiwan. John has been a member of Estampa for many years after discovering a passion for the accordion. As well recording with Estampa on both albums, John has released his own CD of compositions Creatures of the Half Sleep for accordion jazz trio. John was part of Mark Sholtez’s touring band including performances at the Sydney Opera House and Hamer Hall, and is a regular member of the Shenzo Gregorio Quartet. He recorded a duo album, Circumflex, with jazz vocalist Ingrid James.

Paul Henderson has been a professional guitarist for over 25 years and, in recent years, has developed an obsession with the banjo. He left school early after auditioning and being granted special early entry into jazz study at university, as one of the youngest students ever accepted. Paul continues to learn even now, studying with renowned Punch Brothers’ banjo player, Noam Pikelny. He is a staple in both the jazz scene and the bluegrass community in Brisbane and surrounds. However, his musical interests have led him to work with a variety of genres, such as world, folk and classical. He regularly performs with Estampa and Kelsey Giarola, as well as the Brisbane Jazz Orchestra and The Shining Hour (with Nadia Sunde). Paul has also performed and recorded with many popular Australian and international artists, including Mirusia, Rhonda Burchmore, Wendy Matthews, Carl Riseley, Venetta Fields, Julie Anthony and Paul Potts.

Samuel Vincent is a bassist and educator and has been performing for the last 25 years. He graduated from QUT in classical double 'bass. In 2005, he joined the ensemble Doch with whom he has toured both nationally and internationally, and has appeared on their critically acclaimed albums. Samuel is much in demand as a freelance musician and has appeared with such acts as Laique, Topology, and the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra as well as performers such as Tommy Emanuel, Marina Pryor, Don Burrows, Tom Burlinson, James Morrison, and Meagan Washington. Currently, Samuel is performing with world/folk ensemble Estampa and renowned contemporary jazz outfit Trichotomy.