In a landmark first for the 50-year-old Brisbane Jazz Club, a Greek band will take the stage on Sunday, July 27, bringing with them not just music — but nostalgia, their signature Mediterranean warmth, humour and hospitality.
Girl From Greece, a creative collaboration between singers Mel Lathouras and Katerini Manolatos, is the first Greek-led project to perform at the long-standing Australian jazz institution.
Their upcoming Saloni Session will feature reimagined Greek classics woven through jazz-fusion arrangements, lush harmonies and personal storytelling of growing up Greek in Brisbane.
But this isn’t just a concert. It’s a contemporary Saloni — a nod to the “good living room” in Greek homes, where families gathered to share stories, music, and food.
“For us, the Saloni Sessions are about more than just music,” Mel says.
“It’s a space where we honour our heritage, our families, and the sounds that shaped our identity as Greek Australians. The bouzouki may be new to the Brisbane Jazz Club stage, but its spirit fits right in.”
Katerini adds: “This show is our way of connecting the past with the present. It’s a love letter to the powerful Greek women singers who came before us and the Greek language that connects us to our heritage— it’s an invitation for everyone, Greek or not, to feel at home in the music.”
The show features a dynamic five-piece band with bouzouki, piano accordion, guitar, double bass, and percussion — many of Brisbane’s finest musicians coming together for the love of our Hellenic culture.
Artistic Director Mal Wood of the Brisbane Jazz Club reflects on the significance: “We’re proud to host Girl From Greece as the first Greek ensemble at the club. Their music brings something truly unique — a fusion of world-class jazz with the heart and soul of Greek culture.”
In a time where cultural spaces are more vital than ever, Girl From Greece offers something rare: a place where memory, music, and multicultural identity are centre stage.
