Singing the blues

Localist Alma Zygier is a rising star in the Australian music scene, becoming well known for her bewitching jazz and blues performances.

In February she recorded a live album over three nights at the Jazzlab which she plans to launch on August 8 and August 22 at the same venue. The album includes covers of her musical favourites including Nina Simone, Louis Armstrong and Les Paul, which she sings in her own captivating unique style.

She has received high praise from Australian music royalty. Paul Kelly commented, “There is a difference between very good singers and great ones. It can be difficult to define, but for me, it has to do with a singer’s ability to inhabit a song, embody and believe it, and transmit that belief to the listener.

“Alma Zygier possesses that most rare ability. She is a great singer, both compelling and convincing.”

Clare Bowditch has stated, “Alma has one of the most original and exceptional senses of musicality that I have ever witnessed in a live performance. A genuinely original and exceptional voice.”

Zygier is the daughter of Jewish musicians Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier but is set on making her own mark. She has performed at events including the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, and Sydney Festival, joined Paul Kelly for a song on his Christmas album and in June appeared on ABC’s Spicks and Specks.

However, Zygier shared that she has been impacted by the backlash Conway received for making comments in support of Israel after the October 7 massacre of Israelis. Conway’s shows have been protested by anti-Zionist activists, and there are calls to “cancel” her performances.

As to how October 7 and its aftermath has impacted her career Zygier said, “I know it’s definitely impacted my career because it’s impacted all parts of my life … My mum has been fully attacked and that definitely affects me because she’s my mum, and I love her so much. And that’s awful to see … I haven’t had that directly. I have had a few run-ins with musicians who don’t want to play with me anymore because of stuff with my mum because they want me to condemn her publicly.

“And I’m like, well, I’m not going to do that because I know what she believes and what she believes is in peace. And I do too. I don’t think these people who are trying to get me to condemn my mum actually do believe in peace. I’ve had musicians not play with me. I’ve had to break ties with musicians I’ve worked with a lot over the years, which is really sad and crazy… It’s kind of like I’ve gotten used to it, it’s been eight months and things aren’t really changing.”

On her connection with her Jewish identity, Zygier observed, “I’m definitely very acutely aware of my Jewishness more so than ever. I don’t necessarily feel that welcome in all sorts of spaces. And it’s not like we don’t want you, but it is people thinking that we don’t want Zionists … it’s pretty common for people to say that.

“I just feel sad for everybody who’s been affected and everybody in Israel and all my family and friends there.”

Zygier feels that her ability to promote her music has been affected by the post-October 7 climate. “Because of the environment, you don’t want to promote it … I just don’t feel good in those spaces. Whether it’s digitally or in real life. I just don’t feel welcome. The music industry has kind of shunted a lot of Jews. I don’t necessarily feel that welcome all the time. And it’s kind of become a bit stressful having to advertise my gigs … But look, it’s okay … you think about what’s going on with my mum, which is terrible, and then you think about what the Israelis are going through and you’re like, I really don’t have anything to complain about comparatively. And it’s okay, it’s just a bit depressing.”

Zygier told The AJN that she has really appreciated the support of the Jewish community and that her first gig was at the Jewish music festival Shir Madness. When she is not performing, she works as a singing teacher and teacher’s aid at Bialik College.

For now, Zygier is focused on the launch of her new album and hopes to also perform in Sydney. She will be interviewing her parents at Melbourne Jewish Book Week on August 20 at a Raheen cocktail soiree regarding Conway’s candid memoir Book of Life. There will also be a family performance.

Asked if she was surprised by any of her mother’s revelations, Zygier said, “There were not any major huge shocks … But I felt very moved. I think it was beautifully written. I felt like it was really entertaining and touching and unique. And I was proud of her.”

For tickets to Alma Zygier’s

shows visit

www.almazygier.com

Alma Zygier

Alma Zygier.

Alma Zygier. Photo: Wicked Rock Photography