Biography
Three-time Queensland Music Award winners MZAZA deliver Balkan-French inspired sounds to folk lovers internationally. Led by enchanting French-Sephardic vocalist Pauline Maudy, this group of musicians from around the world has been mesmerising audiences with powerful and inspired performances.
The impressive musicianship of MZAZA – deftly realised with accordion, violin, percussion, double bass and Flamenco guitar – embraces diversity, the old and the new, the familiar and the foreign, through timeless melodies. It is the timelessness of the music and stories that fuels an intense live show, an unforgettable musical journey, that has enraptured audiences at MONA FOMA, Queensland Music Festival, Cygnet, National and Woodford Folk Festivals, and visited airwaves and venues internationally. Jaw-dropping technique, unique compositions and captivating shows have earned MZAZA supports for the likes of the Violent Femmes (USA) Yasmin Levy (Israel), Melbourne Ska Orchestra (AUS), Baba Zula and Baro Banda (Turkey), and DJ Click (France).
In 2020 MZAZA released their third studio album, The Birth & Death of Stars, described by Songlines Magazine as “a supernova of an album”. Recorded at Sierra Studios in Athens, Greece, the twelve-track album is accompanied by a critically acclaimed theatre show devised by lead singer Pauline Maudy in collaboration with director Benjamin Knapton (CIRCA).
MZAZA musicians are experienced teachers and workshop facilitators and have a wealth of experience in designing and delivering community engagement activities. The team have experience as classroom, instrumental, and language teachers, community engagement consultants, arts producers and music therapists.
Workshops can be targeted towards primary and high schools, emerging artists of all ages, adult music groups, language learners, cultural groups, groups with a lived experience of mental health or disability, and seniors. Check out this video about our workshop program delivered in Bundaberg.
Available workshops include:
World music singing for all levels
World music workshops for instrumentalists
Musical collaboration and song development
Storytelling: explore your ancestry with MZAZA
Schools: interactive show
Schools: vocal or instrumental workshop (can include performance outcomes)
Cultural connections workshop (for example with refugee groups)
Professional Development: workshops for emerging artists and cultural workers
One on one mentoring (music, performance, community engagement or arts career coaching)
“MZAZA have been a real revelation … They are just amazing!”
“MZAZA is a band comprised not only of skilled instrumentalists but of consummate and generous performers, who truly relish a direct and celebratory connection with their audience.”
“Held together by their coherent arrangements and energetic playing, MZAZA have crafted a joyous and diverse listening experience.”