Mama Alto - Transcendent

Velvet-voiced songstress Mama Alto is the consummate jazz cabaret diva.

One of Australia's finest cabaret artistes and jazz singers, Mama Alto, makes a stunning return to Melbourne Recital Centre following a string of sold-out shows at the prestigious Public Theater in New York, Perth International Cabaret Festival, and the Winter Cabaret season at the Hayes Theatre.

A gender-transcendent diva, Mama Alto is a queer person of colour, living with disability, who works with the radical potential of storytelling. Her liquid velvet voice comes to the fore in beguiling interpretations that turn already rich material inside out. Traversing smoky torch songs, sumptuous jazz ballads and luscious vocals, Mama's repertoire holds both familiar melodies and unexpected morsels.

With her soaring voice, exquisite sense of musicality and wondrously statuesque stage presence, Mama Alto continues to establish herself as one of Australia's pre-eminent interpreters of the art of torch singing. Enigmatic, multifaceted and resplendent, her weaving of song and story, triumph and tragedy, poignancy and pathos make for an unforgettable musical experience.

Please note, this concert contains occasional coarse language, sexual references and adult themes.

Praise for Mama Alto

'Mama Alto has a serene presence. But her voice has sizzle and zing…For her, time stretches, and curls up by her feet, purring.' - Parterre New York

 'She makes these standards her own with her unique "gender transcendent" vocals, her warm wit and storytelling, and her mesmerising presence. Each tune was a musical painting and a masterclass in interpretation.' - Perth Arts Live

'A sonic journey that lived up to the show's name of Transcendent - we were immediately in another realm… Simply a sensational moment in time.' - Out in Perth

Tickets

Standard $50 ($40 Concession)

Please note, seating in the Primrose Potter Salon is General Admission.

A Transaction Fee between $4 and $8.50 applies to orders made online and by phone. Delivery Fees may also apply. A ticket limit of six is in place online to ensure fair ticket access for all. Want to bring a bigger party? Call our Box Office during business hours on (03) 9699 3333 to book.

Artists

Mama Alto vocals

Regularly appearing at premiere venues and festivals, including Melbourne Recital Centre, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Festival of Voices, Perth International Cabaret Festival and Joe's Pub at New York's Public Theatre, Mama Alto has also collaborated with legendary figures including Finucane & Smith, Maude Davey OAM and Brook Andrew, performed with luminaries such as Taylor Mac, Matt Ray and Alan Cumming, and appeared on cult television classic Spicks & Specks. 

Mama is the co-creator of Gender Euphoria - a headline show at Sydney WorldPride 2023, and she has been recognised with awards from the Australia Council of the Arts and Creative Victoria.

Program

Irving Caesar
Tea for Two

Ewan MacColl
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

Billie Holiday
Tell Me More

Thelonious Monk
Round Midnight

Jacques Prévert
Autumn Leaves

Dimitri Tiomkin
Wild is the Wind

Stephen Sondheim
A little night music
Send in the Clowns