In a smoky room, as part of the 2018 Wonderland Festival, we have Mama Alto sing the one and only Billie Holiday, and she does so with warmth, storytelling and a whole lot of nostalgic feeling. Referred to as a “Jazz Singer, Cabaret Artiste and Gender Transcendent Diva”, Mama Alto is also a “queer trans femme person of colour who works with the radical potential of storytelling” which is a beautiful way to summarise the performer.
Not only does Alto sing and allow the audience to enjoy and remember a multitude of Billie Holiday classics, but we also are allowed into not only Billie Holiday but Alto’s world through the art of the spoken word and that of storytelling. Alto’s soft spoken voice would murmur anecdotes and muse on Billie Holiday’s vocal quirks, making it for a fun and rather personal night. The audience was getting up close and personal with this significant performer on stage more than we had imagined. It wasn’t just Billie we were getting to learn more about.
As we settle in for a night of Billie Holiday I can’t help but enjoy Mama Alto’s unique stage presence and personality. Alto is sharp and witty, describing a racist scenario the night before as she acknowledged the traditional owners of the land and a man scoffed, to which she immediately snapped out of her sweet disposition and made a comment back to him.
This is but one example of Mama Alto and her wonderful and much needed presence on stage. Alto allows us a little insight into the world of Billie Holiday by telling stories not only through her gorgeous singing but detailing real life scenarios that happened to the iconic woman on her life journey. There were a myriad of moments, special moments that can ultimately only be experienced in a live setting - made all the more magical in real time.
Mama Alto is one to keep an eye on. Not only is her velvety voice and interesting tales of love and life utterly captivating, but the whole show is. There are some things that need to be seen in the flesh, and there’s no getting away from that. Lady Sings The Blues was a spectacular evening and it’s safe to say that everyone enjoyed the night as they dipped into their fantasies and indulged into the soulful music of Billie Holiday carried beautifully by the one and only Mama Alto.
22nd - 24th November, 2018
Turbine Studio, Brisbane Powerhouse
Joanna Letic