Melbourne jazz singer-songwriter and musician Olivia Chamoun-Canavan will be making a long-awaited return to the stage this month at The Paris Cat Jazz Club, April 16
After releasing her highly anticipated debut album Still in November 2022, Olivia Chamoun-Canavan celebrated its launch with a night of jazz and wine at The Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne.
Olivia Chamoun-Canavan at her album launch gig at The Paris Cat Jazz club, Melbourne, 20 November 2022. Harry Tinney (Left), Olivia Chamoun-Canavan (centre), Blakely McLean Davies (right) (Photo: Lois Vergel)
The event was a successful sell-out, and for the unlucky ones who missed November’s show Olivia will be back to serenade us once again on April 16 - with tickets available for sale already.
More than a musician.
Olivia is a jazz performer, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. She graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Music (Jazz and Improvisation) in 2021.
She said it can be challenging at times to be a small artist.
“[It’s not] financially sustainable to fully pursue performing and writing full-time,” she said.
But she’s found other ways to make music in her life. One of these is studying her Master’s Degree in Music Therapy and teaching children’s piano lessons.
Olivia is able to enjoy music in a different, yet meaningful way.
“I want to foster in them a genuine love of music and excitement by music at a young age,” she said.
“In my lessons we don’t just play the piano, we play drums, we sing, we dance.
“I’m aware it is a very non-traditional approach to music teaching, but I absolutely love the smiles on their faces as they learn in this way.”
The 24-year-old views her life-long journey with music as a broad life practice.
Born and raised in a Catholic family, Olivia has been singing at church since she was a young girl, and continues to share her gifts with the local community when she’s not under the spotlight.
She says that singing at church keeps her grounded and provides a spiritual perspective on all her achievements.
Olivia is a jazz performer, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist (Photo: Lois Vergel)
Olivia Chamoun-Canavan: a hidden gem in the jazz scene.
Olivia pursued jazz after graduating from high school.
“I was inspired by its improvisational qualities,” she said.
She developed a love for the 20th century jazz greats including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Chet Baker and Bill Evans to name a few. Feeling inspired, Olivia began exploring vocal improvisation herself and got hooked.
Ella Fitzgerald (Photo: Alamy) Chet Baker, 1962 (Photo: Getty Images)
After listening to the jazz icons Olivia’s passion for the renowned genre was born, and now Melbourne has its own local icon to know and love.
Olivia is Melbourne's very own local jazz icon to know and love (Photo: Lois Vergel)
“Melbourne is a beautiful place to be playing jazz,” she said.
Whether you’re a performer or simply enjoy listening to jazz, Melbourne will not disappoint. The city has some of the best jazz bars, and for artists like Olivia they feel like a second home.
“From the supportive venues and listeners to the incredible community of artists, there is so much going on in the Melbourne jazz scene,” she said.
“I love how the jazz scene is evolving and expanding in Melbourne.”.
Olivia Chamoun at The Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne, 20 November 2022 (Photo: Lois Vergel)
Her debut album is “Still” capturing hearts.
On November 20, 2022, Olivia launched into the original artists’ realm with her debut album Still.
She told the Swanston Gazette that recording the album was a long and intense process, but she feels a sense of relief finally having her very own album out in the world.
Months after its release, Olivia’s friends and family still have it on repeat and listeners can’t seem to get enough of her lyrical depth and elegant melodies.
“It is a blessing and so humbling to know that my songs have reached people in that way” she said.
“That’s what music is about to me, it carries emotion and meaning.
“It carries life.”
Olivia launched into the original artists’ realm with her debut album Still
Of the ten tracks on the album, Heaven’s Whisper is her favourite.
Olivia wrote the song for her newly-wedded husband Joseph, who was her boyfriend at the time.
For Olivia, songs can be a timestamp in hindsight, and Heaven’s Whisper is exactly that, capturing her journey with her husband.
“When I sing this song, it still feels as relevant and meaningful as ever,” she said.
“Whilst it is in one sense a very personal song, music has a special way of affording us the opportunity to share these parts of ourselves with others.”
Now, Melbourne jazz lovers can look forward to Olivia Chamoun-Canavan taking the stage again next week at The Paris Cat Jazz Club.
Book tickets for April 16 here.
To support Olivia, check out
Instagram: @oliviachamouncanavan
Facebook: Olivia Chamoun Canavan
Spotify: Olivia Chamoun Canavan - Spotify
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