Photo by Ben Hamilton
“Her smooth, seductive, yet powerful and rich voice lures listeners in…” Louise North, The Mercury, Hobart Read revews.
When Tazina sings, whether it be jazz or her own earthy-acoustic styled songs, it is like a glimpse into her heart. You get the sense she has experienced, personally, each song's story. She can sing with extreme vocal power and also the sweetness of a lullaby. Her voice has an honesty and vulnerability that makes it hard not to be moved. She creates an intimacy that draws you in to her world of storytelling.
Originally from Sydney, Australia, Tazina has sung in small jazz ensembles and duos for over 35 years. She has performed in London, Hastings, Brighton, Rye, Lewes (UK); in Sydney and Hobart (Australia); and at jazz festivals in Schleswig Holstein (Germany) and Whangarei (New Zealand). After living in England for thirteen years, in 2020 Tazina moved to South-West France where she is now working with local jazz musicians, writing songs, and working on her next recording project that is a self-recorded and produced album of original songs.
Tazina has already released two jazz albums:
“Tazina in concert Watch What Happens" - a live recording with a 4 piece band; and
"Pieces of Dreams" – a studio recording with vocals and piano.
To watch videos of Tazina performing jazz, click here.
Despite jazz having been her main musical genre throughout her performance career, in her private world Tazina has been writing songs since a young teenager. These are more earthy-acoustic in style, with her accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, and reveal a deep sensitivity about matters of the heart and situations of the world.
"Tazina may already be a well-known singer to those jazz fans out there…. but to my mind (and ear) she'd be hard-pressed to outdo her own original compositions… What struck me was not just the beauty of her voice, which was at once strictly controlled and tenderly spontaneous, but the warmth and creativity of both her music and her lyrics...” Angela Warren, GETOUT Magazine Hobart Read reviews.
Tazina's latest release, "Who Are You", is a chant-like war protest song she wrote in support of Ukraine. It is her first self-recorded and produced song in her home studio.
To watch videos of Tazina performing her original songs, click here.
In her own words: “I don’t fit purely into any one genre. The style and sound of my originals is quite different to my jazz but, whatever I sing, I simply aim to bring the stories of these songs to life and hope to leave an impression on people’s hearts.”
Reviews
Reviews of Tazina's jazz album "Tazina in concert Watch What Happens":
"In this album, Tazina has burrowed down deep to find new ways to reveal the essence of each of these songs. Here she makes them her own.....The dynamic capacity of Tazina’s voice mirrors her message; she is able to enchant and engage us with her chameleon-like subtlety. Throughout the album she unashamedly reveals all the power she possesses yet also shows us the delicate, almost fragile quality of her voice."
Jody Kingston, Hobart, Statement from CD album sleeve
"Singer/composer Tazina Frank's debut CD is a reflection of the passion and energy she puts in to life and music-making. Watch What Happens showcases the expanse of Frank's sublime and powerful voice. Recorded from a recent live performance, the CD captures some wonderful moments and, in typical Frank style, the emotions run the full gamut during the performance. Her smooth, seductive, yet powerful and rich voice lures listeners in to a 72-minute journey through songs of love, life, hopes and dreams.....My Funny Valentine is an exceptional choice for Frank as it takes her voice through the full repertoire and exposes not one failing."
Louise North, The Mercury, Hobart, Australia
Review of a concert of Tazina's original songs:
"Tazina may already be a well-known singer to those jazz fans out there. At is@backspace on 27 March where she performed as part of 'Is Theatre Ltd's' launch week she told her audience that she rarely gets the opportunity to perform her original songs in Hobart. More often she'll be invited to venues to do covers. The covers are still her own soulful re-interpretations and no doubt special, but to my mind (and ear) she'd be hard-pressed to outdo her own original compositions, performed solo and acoustic, as witnessed at is@backspace.
What struck me was not just the beauty of her voice, which was at once strictly controlled and tenderly spontaneous, but the warmth and creativity of both her music and her lyrics. The lyrics were suggestive of fairytale and myth, being deeply symbolic reflections on often very personal experiences.
The music was varied, but accessible. There was extreme vocal power and there was the kind lull of a bedtime story. Tazina herself seemed comfortable amongst what was an intimate gathering. The venue resonated, the audience sat spellbound, quietly rocking with the music or just smiling. Warm applause greeted every song. Tazina is a self-proclaimed 'passionate voice' and I couldn't agree more. I highly recommend all getout readers keep an eye out in the gig guides for Tazina whether it be covers or original compositions, solo or accompanied. She will delight and move you."
Angela Warren - GETOUT Magazine Hobart