Tiana Young has a bachelor of Music Studies (Jazz Voice) from Sydney Conservatorium where she was trained under the expert guidance of Virna Sanzone, Judy Bailey, Craig Scott, Kevin Hunt, Hannah James, Cameron Undy and many others. Some of Tiana’s sonic inspiration comes from Ella Fitzgerald, Sue Raney, Anita O’day, Etta James, Sarah Vaughan, Mel Torme, and more contemporarily; Emma Pask and Samara Joy. Tiana has professionally performed since the age of 14, across Australia, Brazil (2024), Germany (2018), and in a variety of settings, formats, styles, and genres, but has maintained a keen interest in music since she was two. With her emotive delivery, technical finesse, and dextrous scat, Tiana’s voice is certain to captivate and delight the listener. Tiana’s compositions are based within the jazz tradition, with a contemporary perspective, and varied harmonic influences, that contribute to a transcendent yet timeless quality within the stories she regales. Her musical and writing collaborators; Andrew Scott (piano) and James Shortland (double bass); each offer their tremendous musical ability, inspirations, and unique perspectives to further distil the unique sonic landscape of Tiana’s compositional visions.
Tiana intends to use the residency to realise her debut album Serendipity, a gargantuan undertaking featuring 11 original compositions, 3 arrangements of jazz standards (two of which with original lyrics), and one arrangement/reharmonisation of the Disney Pocahontas’ Just Around the Riverbend.
Having the support of 2MBS Fine Music Sydney will allow Tiana to expand her trio format with pianist Andrew Scott and bassist James Shortland to include Hilary Geddes (guitar), Abby Constable (percussion), and add horn features from Billy Ward (alto saxophone), Jacob Parks (tenor trombone), and Sarah Purdon (trumpet).