Proud Mary

Scottish-born Mary Kiani goes back to her jazz roots with her latest album of soulful classics and torch songs.   

Scottish-born Mary Kiani has lived in Sydney full-time for three years now and has certainly made an impact on the jazz scene – and yet she was previously better known for her dance music, particularly seminal Scottish dance outfit The Time Frequency. She’s launching a new album, Little Things Mean a Lot, on February 22 at The Basement.

You're known for your dance music. Is the move to jazz and torch songs a new direction, or a return to your roots?

It’s a return to my roots. These old songs I sang in jazz bands and wine bars from the age of about 18. They gave me a chance to find my voice. They never date. I left the jazz world because of going into the dance world but at the end of the day I’m a singer of songs – just so happens that I love these particular songs and feel that I can sing my heart out.

With so many excellent songs to choose from, how difficult was it to select the numbers on Little Things Mean a Lot?

These songs were always part of my repertoire when I was doing the jazz clubs and wine bars in Glasgow. These particular songs were always my favourites, the ones I could show off too! [laughs] Apart from a couple that is. The song ‘At Last’ and ‘Feeling Good’ never ever made it onto my list until last year when I was singing over at Fort Denison for the Sunday sunset jazz afternoons. Of course I had the most amazing backdrop of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge to inspire me.  

You often perform at places like The Supper Club in Darlinghurst. How do you account for your queer following?

Mary, Queen of Gays – apparently! [Laughs] My gay friends and fans are the best. I’ve had so much fun over the last 14 years here going to places like the Shift and for a while it was suspected that I was in fact transgender – too funny! Gay people love to sing along. They love a strong woman and they love it when they know you love it too. Gay folk get me! Interview by Ron Hughes

Mary Kiani Little Things Mean a Lot album launch, with special guest Michael Cormick, is on Wednesday, February 22 at The Basement, Circular Quay. The album is out on February 24 through EMI Music. Go to www.fanfarerecords.com.

Thanks to our friends at Fanfare Record, SX has five copies of Mary Kiani new CD, Little Things Mean a Lot. To enter, simply email your name, address and phone number to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Remember to put “I love Mary Kiani” in the subject field.