Audrey Powne

UK-based Naarm/Melbourne artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist Audrey Powne is a creative force carving out a distinctive path in the future jazz and soul world. Having honed her craft in the vibrant Melbourne music scene, Powne can now be found performing in some of the most visionary musical circles globally.

Described as "The Very Brilliant Audrey Powne," by legendary BBC Radio 6 presenter and tastemaker Gilles Peterson, Powne is known equally for her extraordinary technical skills and creative inventiveness, and for being unafraid of pushing the boundaries while simultaneously keeping musical traditions alive.

Drawn to jazz from a young age, particularly to those artists best known for their masterful reinvention, Powne is inspired by legends Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter and Betty Carter and 1990s/2000s crossover artists Roy Hargrove, Meshell N’Degeocello, D’angelo and Bilal. Powne’s style is hard to pin down, from hook-laden synth pop songs to long form cinematic soundscapes, RnB ballads and free jazz improvisations, there are few genres Powne has not touched.

A stalwart of the Melbourne jazz and soul scenes, leading various pop projects including synth pop duo Au Dré and sweet soul band Leisure Centre as both a vocalist and trumpeter. Powne's continued evolution as a musician and producer made her understandably eager to unleash her creative vision on her solo projects.

Her track 'Bleeding Hearts' was commissioned for UK record label Brownswood Recordings 2019 compilation record  Sunny Side Up, highlighting the best of Melbourne’s burgeoning jazz and soul scene. In 2020, Powne released Bed I Made to great acclaim from international media outlets Earmilk, NME, and Bandcamp Daily.  Fusing traditional pop songwriting with elements of RnB, hip hop and the freedom and improvisation of jazz, Bed I Made showcases the depth of Powne’s writing talent. Her virtuosity as an instrumentalist and vocalist is woven throughout the EP as she transitions seamlessly between dexterous vocals and soaring trumpet solos. The lead single Taboo, premiered on Gilles Peterson’s BBC 6 radio New York Winter Jazz Festival special, alongside an interview recognising her as an exciting new voice in soulful jazz.

In 2023 Powne signed to legendary UK Jazz/Soul label BBE (Barely Breaking Even) who house releases from the likes of J Dilla, Brian Jackson, Roy Ayers and Questlove. On April 26th she released her debut album From the Fire, on which she explores new territory. In addition to songwriting and playing trumpet, vocals and keys, Powne also composed, arranged the strings and produced the album. This approach allowed the multi-hyphenate to take full creative control, applying techniques developed from working with producers on earlier projects allowing her to achieve her unique sound.

Since its release, the album has received widespread critical acclaim. Lead single Feed the Fire was featured on BBC Radio 6 (by Gilles Peterson and Jamz Supernova) BBC Radio 2 (by Jamie Cullum) and she was interviewed and performed on BBC Radio London with Robert Elms and Soho Radio with Tina Edwards. Both singles from the album  Feed the Fire and From the Fire were playlisted on Jazz FM UK and tracks “From the Fire” and “Indigo” were added to the Spotify editorial playlist Jazz Fresh Finds. Upon the full album release From the Fire was feature album on PBS FM (April 29th 2024) and named Album of the Week by RRR (May 13 2024). Music from the album has been featured on rotation on KALW in the Bay Area (US) and KCRW in Los Angeles. Powne launched the album with her debut headline performance in London at the Jazz Café on April 18th with upcoming performances at Jazz re:freshed London on July 11th, Ronnie Scott’s on Oct 2nd and the Melbourne International Jazz Festival 2024.

As well as her solo work, Powne has had prominence on the Melbourne and international music scenes having performed with acts as diverse as Maceo Parker, Midnight Oil, Jimmy Barnes, Jose Gonzalez, Allysha Joy, Masta Ace and she is currently touring with  Grammy nominated band The Teskey Brothers.
Audrey Powne is an artist destined for greatness as a composer, lyricist, producer, arranger, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist.