Rai Thistlethwayte

When

7:30 pmWednesday, 8 May 2019

Where

Bird's Basement

11 Singers Ln, Melbourne

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He is best known as the lead singer (and guitarist/pianist) with popular rock band, Thirsty Merc.

But Rai Thistlethwayte began his career in music as a jazz pianist, working in Sydney with Errol

Buddle, James Muller and Dale Barlow, among others. The success of Thirsty Merc has meant

that he has channelled most of his time and energy in that direction. But Rai's jazz chops are well

and truly intact, as he showed with memorable concerts at Wangaratta Jazz and Stonnington

Jazz Festivals in 2011-12.

In recent years, Rai has been recording and performing here and in the States in solo, duo and

trio formats, as Sun Rai. And he has been a featured guest with James Morrison, Christian

McBride and The Subterraneans.

"It's a well-kept secret that Rai is an outstanding jazz pianist... I consider Rai the most exciting

young jazz pianist to emerge in this country in recent years." - Mark Isaacs

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