The Bouddi Society is a community group which organises public events and publications aimed at displaying and fostering the artistic, historical and cultural life of the local community. The Bouddi Society administers the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts.
Saturday, 27 July, the Bouddi Society will present a return of Jazz Singer Cathi Ogden to Wagstaffe Hall at 7 pm. The Freddie Stafford Trio joins Cathi in celebrating a jazz great.
Jazz has a habit of awakening a sense of wonder in people… a moment that first swept over local singer Cathi Ogden when she cheekily stumbled across an Ella Fitzgerald record as a 17-year-old. Cathi and her cousin borrowed a treasured record of the American jazz legend.
Cathi was then a budding jazz singer, mostly listening to Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole and his daughter Natalie Cole. But Ella Fitzgerald was something else. Says Cathi: "Everything I thought I knew about jazz changed. I was instantly in love with her voice…. that voice was like feeling her emotions. It was addictive."
The two teenagers felt guilty… but inspired. "We decided to make a mixed cassette tape anyway. I copied a recording repeatedly as each tape wore out." Years later, Cathi discovered that the album is "Ella Swings Lightly", and she's been singing these and other songs from Ella's repertoire ever since.
Now a renowned jazz singer who has performed in Sydney, London, and New York and has released three jazz albums, Cathi will introduce to the Central Coast three talented young musicians who share her love of Ella Fitzgerald.
Enter Freddie Stafford on piano, accompanied by his cohorts Jacob Graham on double bass and Tim Geldens on drums—all hailing from the prestigious Conservatorium of Music in Sydney. Freddie is still a student there, although he plays regularly in the Sydney and Newcastle jazz scenes. Plus, he's performed in Europe and the United States.
According to Cathi: "When I spoke to Freddie about doing the show and mentioned "Ella Swings Lightly," he instantly told me about his favourite tracks on the album, and we discussed the beauty of their arrangements."
"I absolutely can't wait to introduce these brilliant young Jazz musicians…with songs from a wide range of Ella's repertoire while sharing stories of Ella Fitzgerald's incredible life and her music." Net proceeds from the concert will support The Bouddi Foundation for the Arts and its grant program for young Central Coast Artists.
Cathi's first concert hosted by the Bouddi Society at Wagstaffe in February sold out fast. She hopes others will feel the "Ella" emotion of a live performance on Saturday, 27 July, at 7 pm.
Tickets have sold out. Click Here to add your name to the waitlist
Jazz has a habit of awakening a sense of wonder in people… a moment that first swept over local singer Cathi Ogden when she cheekily stumbled across an Ella Fitzgerald record as a 17-year-old. Cathi and her cousin borrowed a treasured record of the American jazz legend.
Cathi was then a budding jazz singer, mostly listening to Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole and his daughter Natalie Cole. But Ella Fitzgerald was something else. Says Cathi: "Everything I thought I knew about jazz changed. I was instantly in love with her voice…. that voice was like feeling her emotions. It was addictive."
The two teenagers felt guilty… but inspired. "We decided to make a mixed cassette tape anyway. I copied a recording repeatedly as each tape wore out." Years later, Cathi discovered that the album is "Ella Swings Lightly", and she's been singing these and other songs from Ella's repertoire ever since.
Now a renowned jazz singer who has performed in Sydney, London, and New York and has released three jazz albums, Cathi will introduce to the Central Coast three talented young musicians who share her love of Ella Fitzgerald.
Enter Freddie Stafford on piano, accompanied by his cohorts Jacob Graham on double bass and Tim Geldens on drums—all hailing from the prestigious Conservatorium of Music in Sydney. Freddie is still a student there, although he plays regularly in the Sydney and Newcastle jazz scenes. Plus, he's performed in Europe and the United States.
According to Cathi: "When I spoke to Freddie about doing the show and mentioned "Ella Swings Lightly," he instantly told me about his favourite tracks on the album, and we discussed the beauty of their arrangements."
"I absolutely can't wait to introduce these brilliant young Jazz musicians…with songs from a wide range of Ella's repertoire while sharing stories of Ella Fitzgerald's incredible life and her music." Net proceeds from the concert will support The Bouddi Foundation for the Arts and its grant program for young Central Coast Artists.
Cathi's first concert hosted by the Bouddi Society at Wagstaffe in February sold out fast. She hopes others will feel the "Ella" emotion of a live performance on Saturday, 27 July, at 7 pm.
Tickets have sold out. Click Here to add your name to the waitlist
Following a delicious High Tea, you will thrill to the wonderful voices of two of Opera Australia’s legendary stars, Cheryl Barker AO and Peter Coleman-Wright AO.
During their long and illustrious careers, Cheryl and Peter (husband & wife) have sung in the world’s most acclaimed opera houses including La Scala (Milan), The Met (New York), Covent Garden (London) and the Paris Opera.
After a conversation with the Foundation’s Chairman John Bell AO, Cheryl and Peter will share some of their favourite pieces in their opera repertoire.
An intimate & very special event with two of Opera Australia’s greats. An event not to be missed by lovers of fine music!
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 3-6pm - The Conservatory at Bells at Killcare, seating provided
$150 per person includes afternoon tea and performance, with proceeds going to Bouddi Foundation for the Arts.
Raffle available on the day. $50 per ticket to win a Two-Night, All-inclusive Stay at Pretty Beach House! Monies raised will go directly to Bouddi Foundation for the Arts, supporting our young, local rising artists.
BOOK: Click Here
Scholarship Information
Applications for 2024 have closed
Apply Now for Bouddi Foundation for the Arts Grants up to $5000
If you are a young (15-25 years) local person on the Central Coast wishing to pursue a career in any of the arts, The Bouddi Foundation for the Arts is now accepting applications for grants up to $5000 thanks to generous donations. Applications close 3 June, 2024. Auditions and awards will be held later in the year.
Since its inception in 2012 as a not for profit charity under the auspices of the Bouddi Society, more than 150 grant recipients have received over $300,000 plus mentoring, with 99 cents in the donor-dollar going direct to grantees.
So whether you are a singer/songwriter, indigenous or classical dancer, opera singer, musical theatre star, visual artist, sculptor, film maker, writer, puppet maker or anything else that’s ‘art’, click into the site, get the details about what to include in your application, and send it in, pronto!
Applications will be accepted via the Bouddi Foundation website online bouddiarts.org.au
Bouddi Photographs Past & Present
The collection of local photographs of people, places and events has been uploaded to Flickr. Click Here to be forwarded to the site.
Newsletter
Annual Report
For the President's 2024 Address Click Here