On Thursday 17th of May 2007, South Australian jazz pianist; Ritsuko lost her brave battle against cancer and the Australian Music Industry, in particular the jazz community, lost a great composer and fellow musician.

Ritsuko graduated with Honours from the University of Adelaide Elder Conservatorium of Music after briefly studying in London. In 1994, she co-founded band etypejazz and until falling ill in 2006, actively performed, toured, arranged and composed with the band, as well as with her independent act; The Ritusko Quartet.

During her career she has performed to thousands of people, toured Australia, and performed internationally with Etype as well as independently with her quartet. She rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous and left her mark on the Australian music scene with her exquisite, melodic playing.

During the last difficult months of her life, Ritsuko received the support of a benevolent organization called Support Act Limited (SAL). SAL provides small pockets of financial support to Australian musicians in hardship, due to debilitating health issues.
More info on SAL can be found at: http://www.supportact.com.au/

It was Ritusko’s wish, had she beaten the cancer and survived, to support other musician in similar circumstances through supporting SAL.

In respect of this wish, a group of South Australia’s top jazz bands and musicians have come together to present the show ‘Jazz & Jamm – a tribute to Ritsuko’ at the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel on Sunday 12th of August, 2007.

All profits from ticket sales to this event will go to SAL as per Ritsuko’s wish.

This stellar line up will include performances by: Deanna Djuric Trio, Trace Canini, The Marmalade Trio, Dave McEvoy Trio and Etype. The crescendo being a jam session led by Bruce Hancock, with a little help from Ritusko’s friends: Damien Eldridge; George Grifsas; Chris Soole; Peter Raidel; Laine Jamieson; Frank Fragomeni; Luke Thompson; Liz Chehade; and James Sked.

Don’t miss this fantastic showcase of Jazz & Jamm - an amazing line up of some of the fabulous South Australian musicians who have worked with Ritsuko over the years!

Tickets to this show will sell fast, so be sure to book early!

Jazz & Jamm – a tribute to Ritsuko
Sunday 12th August
The Governor Hindmarsh Hotel > Thebarton
Tickets $15
Bookings: 08 8340 0744

Supported by: The Gov, Mad Promo, Jazzscene and Centreprint.