Kavisha Mazzella - Official website

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY...WEST meets East!

 Kavisha Mazzella is  an ARIA award winning singer songwriter who does not believe in world music.It's just music!!! Music unites us and creating imaginary titles such as world music is devisive She is unafraid to cross musical boundaries and create community experiences in her shows.She first came to National attention with her appearance in the Franco Di Chiera documentary " Joys Of The Women" in 1993. Drawing on her rich Mediterranian heritage she creates contemporary songs with haunting melody and lyrical depth. While her early influences come from the singer songwriter tradition of the likes of Sandy Denny,Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen, over time due to her passion for italian regional folksong,she has absorbed influence from the East with its modal tones and ecstatic singing styles of  Indian,Arabic, Southern Italian and Gypsy influenced song and links these with western folk music influences. 

   Other influences that have made an impression on Kavisha's music are her interest in meditation and mysticism through the teachings of Osho ,Sufi and Tibetan Buddhist Masters. Warmth and humour spice her performance. Whether performing solo, writing for theatre or directing a choir Kavisha brings a joy of life and sensitivity into the music.Kavisha has been a guest vocal tutor at Victorian College Of The Arts,Swinburne,and is the founder and choir conductor of  Melbourne's vivacious Italian Women's choir " La Voce Della Luna"(The Voice Of the Moon)"She has been documenting italian  regional folksongs remembered by Italian migrants to Australia since 1988. It is from this  500 year old repetoire  that the choir La Voce Della Luna sings.

       Her  cds "Mermaids in  the Well" (1995),Fisherman's Daughter(1998) "Silver Hook Tango "(2003) are available through Blackmarket Music in Australia. She is a winner of  various awards including  the 1998 ARIA for her album " Fisherman's Daughter", the Italia Nel Mondo Award in 2000 for her contribution to the sharing of Italian Culture in Australia through setting up of Italian Women's choirs and West Australia Music Industry awards for songwriting.In 2004 she was awarded PORT FAIRY ARTIST OF THE YEAR.

Since the late eighties Kavisha has  also been collecting Italian popular and folk songs remembered by  Italian migrants arranging them in Choral form to be sung and kept alive by the choirs 'Le Gioie Delle Donne (Joys of The Women)  in Fremantle West Australia  and"La Voce Della Luna" (Voice Of The Moon) in Melbourne Victoria.

   Her shows have people singing along before they know it. Since 1990,She has performed extensively and also run songwriting and choral workshops at music festivals such as Maleny,Woodford Folk Festivals and International festivals such as  Edinburough Fringe,Cork Arts Festival,Australia Festival Dublin.Kavisha was also a co-writer with Katherine Thompson and Angela Chaplin of the play 'Mavis Goes To Timor" which won an AWGIE award in 2003.

Recently she  collaborated with author Arnold Zable In the 2 man show" Anytime The Wind Can Change' inspiring tales of  Australia's indigenous people,immigrants and refugees. Victorian Women's trust invited KAvisha to be a Watermark champion.Watermark is a community discussion about our most precious resource- water.

         "Kavisha sings with the voice of a heartbroken angel"
Victoria Laurie, The Australian
 

   Whether working solo or with others,Kavisha has carved a strong reputation as a performer, songmaker, composer ,theatre worker and teacher.playing guitar,mandolin,piano accordian , it is her hauntingly beautiful voice,capable of power and nuance ,humour and spontaneity on stage that makes no two shows alike.In her music the East meets West and tracks the journeys of many migrants in the world. 

    Singing in English and Italian, Kavisha's songs come from the heart and take you on a witty, joyful, poetic journey .She is currently based in Melbourne, Australia.