The most soul-filling musical experience
Presented by: Adelaide Cabaret Festival and Adelaide Festival Centre
Reviewed: 6 June, 2025
As Virginia Gay aptly says, if Nina Simone and Amy Winehouse had a baby in the middle of a New Orleans street parade, you would get Davina and the Vagabonds. It’s a colourful description, but it rings true from the moment you hear their first chord.
It is always exciting going into a performance knowing very little about what you are about to see, and I’m pleased to say that Davina and the Vagabonds has a brand new megafan. Their musicianship, creativity, and their ability to connect to an audience through music and banter is like nothing you’ve ever seen or heard.
From their very first note to long after they left the stage, their infectious music had the near-full house of the Dunstan Playhouse dancing, cheering and clapping along. Davina’s music is a gorgeous meld of jazz, blues and bucket-loads of New Orleans inspiration. The majority of the set list featured pieces that Davina composed herself, with a peppering of covers, such as As Time Goes By and Elaine Stritch’s version of Are You Havin’ Any Fun?
Davina’s personality is as infectious as her music. At times, you forget you are in a theatre with other people as Davina makes it feel like you are sitting right next to her. Her piano playing is next level — you almost think her fingers are possessed! Davina’s compositions are just as impressive. From her story-driven lyrics to creative harmonic structures, the music is pure medicine for the soul.
Davina is accompanied by one of the tightest and jaw-dropping bands around. Each musician is world-class and their technique leaves you speechless with every note. Becca Lozier’s work on the trumpet is sensational. From haunting melodic lines that compliment Davina’s melodies, through to some of the fastest and virtuosic solos, it was an absolute joy watching Lozier perform. On trombone, Matthew Hanzelka was equally as impressive. A standout moment was the duelling improv battle between Davina and Hanzelka. On double bass Graydon Peterson kept the drive of each piece moving, but it was his double bass solos that left this reviewer highly impressed — boy could he make that instrument sing! Rounding out the band was Alec Tuckman on kit who provided an exceptionally solid foundation for the band to work with.
Sadly, Davina and the Vagabonds were only in town for two performances at this year’s Cabaret Festival. I highly urge you to look them up. Their music is infectious, it will fill your soul with warmth and joy, even on the darkest and rainiest Adelaide winters day.
Reviewed by Ben Stefanoff
Photo credit: Claudio Raschella
Venue: Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre
Season: June 6 – 7, 2025
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