BellSonance: French Jazz & Argentine Tango | Music of Piazzolla & Bolling

This vibrant concert brings together an exceptional ensemble of young Australian musicians performing works inspired by two musical traditions renowned for their energy, sophistication and emotional depth - Argentinian tango, and French jazz.

The program features music by Astor Piazzolla, the legendary master of Argentine tango, alongside the jazz-inspired works of Claude Bolling, whose unique blend of classical and jazz styles has delighted audiences around the world.

Join BellSonance Productions for an afternoon of passion, rhythm and elegance as we explore these captivating musical worlds.

What will I hear?

(Program may be subject to slight change)

Act 1

• Baroque and Blue from Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio — Claude Bolling

• Africaine from Concerto for Classic Guitar and Jazz Piano Trio — Claude Bolling

• Hora from Suite for Violin and Jazz Piano Trio — Claude Bolling

• Restless Waltz — Amalia Safonova

• Loro — Egberto Gismonti

• Frevo — Egberto Gismonti

Act 2

• Movement I of Concerto No. 1 for Double Bass and Orchestra — Andres Martin

• Verano Porteño from Las cuatro estaciones — Astor Piazzolla

• Invierno Porteño from Las cuatro estaciones — Astor Piazzolla

• Le Grand Tango — Astor Piazzolla

Who will be playing?

• Artemii Safonov - accordion, piano, musical arranger

• Amalia Safonova - soprano, flute, piano, musical arranger

• Emily Thompson - violin

• Oliver Murphy - double bass

• Joel Sanchez-Carn - guitar

• Mathew McDonald - percussion

When & where:

📅 | Saturday, the 29th of August, 2026

🕒 | 3:15 PM

📍 | Kenmore Uniting Church, Brisbane

The concert will last approximately 100 minutes, including interval.

Whether you are a lover of classical music, jazz, tango, or simply looking for a unique live music experience, this concert promises an unforgettable musical journey from Paris to Buenos Aires.

- Previous Concert Highlights -

- Artist Biographies -

🎸 Joel Sanchez-Carn - Guitar

Joel Sanchez-Carn is a Brisbane-based guitarist, composer and arranger whose versatility spans classical, jazz, progressive rock and contemporary music. A recipient of the prestigious Sir Samuel Griffith Scholarship, he is completing his Honours degree at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, where he studies with leading Australian composers and performers.

As a performer, Joel has appeared at major venues including QPAC, Brisbane City Hall and Queensland Government House, performing with orchestras, chamber ensembles and musical theatre productions. He has also shared the stage with renowned Australian jazz musician James Morrison and represented Griffith University on an international tour of Japan.

Alongside his performing career, Joel is an accomplished composer and arranger whose music has been featured in concert, theatre and festival productions, as well as on ABC Radio National. His dynamic musicianship, technical brilliance and expressive style make him one of Queensland’s exciting emerging artists.

🎹 Artemii Safonov — Pianist, Accordionist & Composer

Artemii Safonov is a Brisbane-based pianist and composer with extensive experience as a soloist and collaborative musician across Australia.

His performance highlights include appearances at the Brisbane City Hall and QPAC, performing both as a soloist and as a chamber musician alongside the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Ensemble Q. A recipient of the John Nesbitt Endowment and the Raoul P. Neil Foundation Scholarship, Artemii has also received awards in national and international piano competitions.

As a collaborative pianist, Artemii regularly works with a wide range of musicians, providing accompaniment for recitals and competitions, and has recently served as an official accompanist for the 2025 Queensland Vocal Festival Competition. Artemii is a committee member of the Accompanists’ Guild of Queensland.

🎤 Amalia Safonova — Soprano & Flautist An emerging Australian soprano and flautist whose performances captivate audiences with warmth, sincerity, and a distinctive tone that blends lyrical beauty with emotional depth. Amalia has appeared in productions with Opera Australia and Opera Queensland, and performed at prestigious venues including Brisbane City Hall, Parliament House, and the Queensland Conservatorium. Over the past few years, her concerts alongside pianist and composer Artemii Safonov — have drawn full houses, often with more than a thousand people in attendance. Audiences eagerly await her performances for the clarity of her voice, her artistry, and her natural connection with the stage.

Amalia has been taking lessons with Helena Dix and is currently studying voice at the Griffith Conservatorium under the mentorship of Margaret Schindler, as well as flute with Timothy Munro. She has received numerous awards, including prizes from the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition, as well as various international competitions.

Amalia is the recipient of the Elizabeth Muir Memorial Award (Singing), awarded to the top-performing first-year vocal student at the Queensland Conservatorium

She continues to be recognised as one of the most promising young vocalists in Australia’s classical music scene.

Mathew McDonald - Percussion

Mathew McDonald is an emerging Brisbane-based percussionist whose versatile musicianship spans jazz, contemporary and classical performance. Known for his expressive playing and rhythmic precision, he enjoys collaborating with musicians across a wide range of genres and artistic projects.

As both a drummer and percussionist, Mathew has performed in chamber ensembles, concert productions and contemporary music performances throughout Queensland. His dynamic musical approach and sensitivity to ensemble playing have made him a valued collaborator in projects featuring both established and emerging Australian artists.

At BellSonance Productions, Mathew brings energy, colour and rhythmic vitality to the ensemble, enriching each performance with his expressive artistry and versatility.

🎻 Oliver Murphy — Double Bassist & Composer

Prized for his raw expression, musical story-telling, and lyrical captivation, Oliver Murphy is a multi-instrumentalist and composer, based in Brisbane. He is currently in his first year studying at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, majoring in double bass with Phoebe Russell.

Originally from Toowoomba, Oliver has performed with Australian Youth Orchestra for several years and is looking forward to performances in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Darwin in 2026. He has performed with the Australian Doctor’s Orchestra, North Queensland Chamber Orchestra, and Southern Downs String Ensemble. Oliver has a strong passion for solo and chamber music, enjoying the intimate and collaborative aspect of music-making. Besides bass, Oliver is a proficient violinist, violist, cellist, and is a celebrated composer. Additionally, he has served as Music Director and Concertmaster, co-founded community concerts, and been commissioned for studio recordings. Oliver is experienced in Music Production and is the youngest person to win QCGU’s ScoreIT film scoring competition.

Oliver hopes to have a multi-faceted career featuring solo, chamber and orchestral performance.

🎻 Emily Thompson - Violin

Emily Thompson is an emerging Australian violinist currently studying at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. Originally from Armidale, New South Wales, she has developed a reputation as a sensitive and expressive performer, with a passion for both chamber music and orchestral performance.

Emily has appeared in a variety of concert projects across Queensland and enjoys collaborating with fellow young artists in innovative classical music performances. Alongside her performing career, she is committed to music education and mentoring, reflecting her dedication to supporting the next generation of musicians.

As a member of BellSonance Productions, Emily brings warmth, elegance and refined musicianship to every performance, creating memorable musical experiences for audiences.

🎤 Silas Gregory — Bass - baritone

Silas Gregory is a Japanese Australian bass-baritone from Cairns whose musical journey is distinguished by strong artistry and rapid growth. A 2024 Margaret Nickson Award recipient, he is currently finishing his second year of study with Margaret Schindler, who praises his expressive freedom, consistency of tone, and openness to new ideas.

In 2025, Silas performed in the Caskelli Opera Scenes as Don Magnifico (La Cenerentola) and Allazim (Fidelio), working under the mentorship of Raymond Connel. He is a baritone scholar at St Andrew’s Uniting Church through Musica Viva Australia and recently appeared in QCGU’s Val Machin Scenes as the Eugene Onegin understudy.

Silas has also been an emerging artist with the Queensland Art Song Festival, collaborating with Mattea Page on German lieder with Benjamin Appl and Sholto Kynoch.