Salamanca Jazz: Nadira & Friends

Salamanca Jazz is Live in the Founders Room on Woobys Lane, with Nadira & Friends

Saturday 27th June 2026
Doors & bar open at 7pm
Music from 7:30pm 
The Founders Room on Woobys Lane
Salamanca Arts Centre 

Tickets:
General: $30+BF
Two for $56+BF
Four for $104+BF.

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In this concert, Nadira and Friends will put a cheeky spin on beloved, not-so-standard jazz standards performed in straight-ahead style. The uptempo tunes will have your toes tapping, and the ballads may have your mascara running. Expect a feel-good emotional rollercoaster and one seriously fun night out.

Nadira will be joined on stage by: Matthew Ives – drums; Iestyn Parry – piano; Seb Folvig – double bass; Jesse Bowden – sax; and Stevie McEntee – trombone.

Nadira and Friends is a jazz ensemble fronted by Nadira, a Hobart-based jazz vocalist and ensemble leader. Gaining a reputation as a standout voice and personality in contemporary straight-ahead jazz, Nadira captivates audiences with punchy, articulate jazz vocals, a playful punk-ish edge and quick-witted banter that could double as a comedy act. Petite yet unmistakably commanding, she is a highly capable and experienced vocalist with an impressive repertoire. She connects instantly with listeners, bringing a contagious sense of fun. Wherever she goes, she’s always got her network of top-tier jazz musicians, the “Friends” part of the band, ready to join her for swingin’ affairs. 

In 2025, Nadira and Friends opened for Gregory Porter, the world-renowned, Grammy-winning singer during his concert in Hobart as a part of his Australian Tour. They’ve also supported Wendy Matthews and CW Stoneking. They have performed over 400 shows in the past decade at jazz clubs and festivals across Australia, Asia, the USA and parts of Europe.

Nadira has been featured in Dingo Australian Jazz Journal (issue 7, 2024) alongside more than 60 other emerging and leading Australian jazz musicians, and recorded her first album with leading jazz figures Nick Haywood and James Sherlock.

She has received coaching from multi-award-winning, Grammy-nominee Jazzmeia Horn, and was recently accepted into the prestigious Tribeca Jazz Institute in New York City – an elite, intensive program for hand-picked, high-calibre jazz artists from around the world – where she was the only vocalist chosen for that particular semester. 

Without fail, Nadira brings an infectious, playful spark that elevates the music and the entire room. And it’s her unmistakable smile that stays with you long after the performance, leaving both audience and performers alike on a genuine high.

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As Salamanca Arts Centre will be operating a bar under Tasmanian Liquor Licensing Regulations, all minors (people under the age of 18) must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times, and SAC Staff may, under their RSA Obligations, request verification of patrons’ age.

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As our recent Funding Application to Arts Tasmania was not supported, the 2026 Salamanca Jazz Live Music Series at Salamanca Arts Centre will be funded entirely by your support and ticket sales, and by Salamanca Arts Centre’s earned revenue. In 2026 Salamanca Arts Centre receives ZERO dollars from the Tasmanian State Government, but you can support Salamanca Arts Centre and, in turn, our Artists, by purchasing a ticket for this and other events, or by making a tax deductible donation at https://www.sac.org.au/donate/