Riverside Theatres presents
THE SONGS AND STORIES OF THE BIG MUMMAS
written and performed by Jade da Silva
Stories and Songs from the Big Mumma’s tells the stories of some of the most influential female singers of all time. From the 1920’s through to the present, their stories are compelling. Knowing some of their stories, sets the songs with a new powerful insight.
These women were feisty and larger than life – and Jade doesn’t pull any punches. She doesn’t glamorize them, she just tells it as it is. Supported by a sensational funky band that delivers the blues with soul and a touch of edge that will leave the audience spellbound.
Date & Time
Friday 7 September at 7:30pm
Jade da Silva has been performing on stage since the early 80’s. While in a band called Fandango, she toured as a support with Uriah Heep.
She had the lead role in Once A Catholic at The Independent and went on to join Walkers and Talkers Theatre Company with Carol Churchills Mouthful of Birds at the Wharf Theatre. She formed a theatre company with her Ensemble crew and they produced A Mad World My Masters that had a run at the Rocks Theatre, directed by Doug Anderson.
Toured with Soul Kitchen, a 9 piece soul and funk band and with Ian Moss from Cold Chisel, The Hard Word, Paris Green and the 11th House. She also recorded with Louis Tillet on Letters to a Dream, which remains in the top 10 best selling independent albums in Europe.
10 years in London she scored the role of Olive Maddison in the Odd Couple (the female version) that had a run at Jermyn Street Theatre, Sex, A Divised Play at the Tristan Bates Theatre and Maria in 12th Night at Shephards Bush. She also sang in bars around Tin Pan Alley and The West End with John Evans.
Back in Australia, Jade established herself again around town singing soul, funk, blues and rock, touring clubs and pubs with various different bands. Having the opportunity to work with producer Chris Keeble in The Rockumentary Series is a dream come true for Jade. There’s a little bit of all these women inside all of us …
ARETHA FRANKLIN R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
MA RAINEY | Wild Women Don’t Get The Blues
BESSIE SMITH | St. Louis Blues
BILLIE HOLIDAY | Good Morning Heartache & Strange Fruit
BIG MAMA THORNTON | Hound Dog & Ball and Chain
KOKO TAYLOR | Wang Dang Doodle & Let The Juke Joint Jump
NINA SIMONE | Feeling Good & Mississippi Goddam
ETTA JAMES | I Just Wanna Make Love To You & Mean Mother
MAVIS STAPLES | I’ll Take You There & Respect Yourself
BETTY DAVIS | Dedicated To The Press & Nasty Gal
BETTYE LAVETTE | Let Love Reign & When A Woman’s Had Enough
SHARON JONES | Stranger To My Happiness & What If We All Stopped Paying Taxes
SHEMEKIA COPELAND | Ain’t Gonna Be Your Tattoo & Wil’ Wild Woman