.jpg "Melissa Western performs for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at 2010 Australia Day Reception, Qld Art Gallery")
On Saturday 23 January, we (Melissa Western Quintet comprising Tnee-piano, Bruce Woodward-guitar, Chris Pearson-bass, Rich Seymour-drums and Melissa-vocals) performed for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and over 500 business, community and sports leaders at the Prime Minister’s 2010 Australia Day Reception held at the Queensland Art Gallery. After performing the National Anthem with didgeridoo player Bruce McLean we performed Fire and Rain by James Taylor in a tribute to everyone who has been affected by fire and flood this year. We then capped off our feature performance with a medley of jazzed up Aussie classics. It was quite fun to share a slightly tongue in cheek, jazzy rendition of Men at Work’s Land Down Under, Ganggajang’s Sounds of Then and Midnight Oil’s Power and The Passion. It was also lovely to chat to Kevin and Therese Rein after the performance. A mighty friendly fellow with a great brain and super sense of humour … I’m glad he represents our country.