Barry O’Sullivan speaks to jazz vocalist Bonnie J Jensen

When did singing and jazz music first enter your life and who are some of the artists who have influenced your style? 

Music was valued in my childhood home and I started learning piano at age eight. I’d switched to clarinet, guitar and voice by my teens and really enjoyed various orchestral and choral participations. I didn’t return to the piano until I decided I wanted to sing professionally, but, as I was painfully shy, I chose to hide behind the piano for years. Although there was a strong emphasis on classical and sacred music in our home, I was fortunate to hear a lot of jazz fusion in my teens largely by way of my sister’s boyfriend’s choice of music. When I was 21 and living in Germany, I discovered the gloriously sophisticated compositions of Carlos Antonio Jobim, which had a massive impact on me, and Shirley Horn has taught me so much with her accomplished fusion of voice and piano, deliberate approach and understatement. I’ve also spent many bewitching hours listening to Dianne Reeves, who I had the good fortune of meeting in Tokyo years ago. Julie London also particularly inspired me in the early days. Herbie Hancock’s 1996 A New Standard album sort of gave me permission to standardise contemporary tunes, as evidenced on all my albums. 

What are your current musical projects? 

I’ve spent the past year producing my fifth album, RISE. It is my biggest recording project to date, comprising three tunes recorded with a big band in May 2024 and nine other tunes recorded over two halcyon days in January 2025 at Rancom St Studios with Brett Hirst (bass), Graham Jesse (flutes and saxes), Matt McMahon (piano and keyboards), Nick McBride (drums and percussion) and Ray Cassar (trumpet and flugelhorn). The big band tracks were released on Spotify, Apple Music, and so on, in late 2024 and four of the new tracks will be released as singles from Friday 2 May. The release date of the entire album has not yet been announced. The album features two original pieces plus 10 timeless tunes by others, including Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Nitin Sawhneydelete comma and Michael Franks. I set out to make a classy uplifting and lively album with lots of variety and I’ve truly enjoyed the various aspects of the production – writing and arranging and the collaborations with the brilliant musicians and sound engineers who have contributed to the project. 

Life as a musician is full of challenges. What are some of those that have confronted you so far? 

The global change to digital streaming and the negative financial ramifications that resulted have required a huge adjustment from most recording artists. It now seems essential to have organisational, graphic design, writing and social media skills. Also, the paucity of both agents and (my) time nowadays has made it very difficult to generate gigs and shows. This, coupled with the disappearance of many elegant venues and the punishing door deals, means I perform less than I should. The culture and the media in Australia seem rather indifferent to jazz, whereas in the US, Japan and Europe, where jazz is more appreciated, there seem to be more festivals and artists receive more financial support from government grants and tax deductions. 

What are some of your other interests outside of your musical career? 

I find travelling really inspires me – if you want me to write a song, seat me on an aeroplane or a train, or put me in a city street (particularly in Tokyo!). There’s something about being suspended between places that really inspires me and frees my mind. I’m also very interested in art and always prioritise gallery visits when I travel, and for years I’ve been an avid ocean swimmer, cyclist and yogi. 

You’re home alone on a Sunday evening and want to chill listening to some music. What would you choose to listen to and why? 

Claus Ogerman and Michael Brecker’s profound 1982 Cityscape album springs to mind for a Sunday evening. Other choices might include Chopin, Satie, Arvo Part, Marquis Hill and Pat Metheny, who plays as though he invented the guitar! I am exhilarated by his variety of sounds and the imaginary sojourns they evoke. I also admire many Brazilian singers, including Simone, Rosa Pasos, Djavan and Nascimento and often check in with unique contemporary singers such as Grazyna Auguscik and Anna Maria Jopek to see what they’re up to.  

-Barry O’Sullivan