Ukitopia Arts Collective’s first ‘Songwriters on the Songlines’ for 2012 is a Young Musicians Night at Uki Holy Trinity Church on Saturday 4th February at 7pm.
Its an exciting moment when young artists gain the confidence to start attracting an audience. Witness the talent of four of our next generation of Tweed Shire musicians as they showcase their abilities in a very special environment.
Jerome Williams is supported by Poppii Gee, Indigo Collins-Cook and Kalyani.
Jerome has been described by jazz musician Wayne Jones as “a unique, amazingly talented, emerging musician, one that will definitely be known worldwide…..” His style is influenced by John Butler, Newton Falkner, Andy McKee and a touch of Rodrigo y Gabriella; in other words melodic, percussive, funky roots…with a touch of jazz…make sense? You just have to see him play. This guy is awe inspiring!
15 year old Poppii started playing piano when she was in Year 5 but didn’t become inspired to take playing seriously until the end of Year 8 when she started songwriting and performing. Since then she has performed at: Cabaret 360 in 2009 and 2010, Arts Week at Murwillumbah High School in 2010 and 2011, The Tyalgum Classical Music Festival, Ukitopia and The Red Piano Bar in 2011. 
Poppii plays, learns and listens to classical and alternative styles of music which has influenced the music she writes. She says “I love music and can’t live life without it”.
Indigo is 14 and has been playing guitar since he was 8. His solo debut was at the Ukitopia Festival in 2010. He was invited to play at the Tyalgum Music Festival’s Spring Fair after he won the Kate Carter Award for Most Promising Tweed Valley Competitor at the Murwillumbah Festival of Performing Arts in 2011. 
This year Indigo has been invited to support renowned guitarist, Michael Fix, at a concert at Bond University. His forte is exploring alternative guitar tunings and percussive forms of playing and composing his own songs. This past year he has been writing lyrics too but has to wait until his voice stops breaking before he can sing them!
Born locally but raised internationally, 15 year old Kalyani is a third-generation songwriter and she has been writing songs and poetry since early childhood. 
Her voice is mesmerising and melodic, and her inspirational lyrics tell stories, transporting the listener on a journey around the world. Kalyani will be performing from her portfolio of songs and accompanying herself on keyboard.
Doors open at 7pm, chai and refreshments will be available during the intermission, and the “congregation” for the evening will be welcomed as usual to the hallowed and atmospheric environs of the Uki Church by Reverend John Tyman. Advance tickets are just $10 for Ukitopia members, $10 for Youths and $15 for non members from the Uki Café and limited to 80.
