Bonnie J Jensen - Rise

2025

Australian jazz vocalist Bonnie J Jensen returns with RISE, her fifth and most adventurous album to date. A stunning exploration of genre-spanning material—from Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock to James Taylor, Sting, and Michael Franks—RISE also features two compelling original compositions that highlight Jensen’s distinctive voice as both singer and songwriter.
 
Backed by a lineup of leading Australian jazz musicians, Jensen’s expressive vocals and storytelling brilliance are on full display. RISE includes captivating contributions from the award-winning Matt McMahon (piano, keyboards), Geoff Hughes (guitar), Ray Cassar (trumpet, flugelhorn), and multi-instrumentalist Graham Jesse (flute, alto flute, tenor sax, soprano sax, alto sax), along with members of the Dan Barnett Big Band, who provide rich, swinging textures on three tracks.
 
From the opening track, a soulful, groove-laden take on “People Make The World Go Round,” Jensen reveals a fresh musical perspective that is as versatile as it is authentic. She navigates a wide range of moods and styles, whether delivering the assertive swing of “The Great City,” interpreting Mark Murphy’s lyrics on Herbie Hancock’s “Cantaloupe Island,” or settling comfortably into the 5/4 groove of Franks’ “Jive.” Other standouts include a mesmerising rendition of Chick Corea’s “Spain,” a rare vocal interpretation of Hancock’s “Butterfly,” a luminous reading of Sting’s “La Belle Dame Sans Regrets,” and a lush version of James Taylor’s “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight.” Jensen’s originals—her sultry blues “Hughes’ Blues” and the breezy 5/4 “Spend A Little Time With Me”—further underscore her artistry and range.
 
With a career that has taken her across Europe, the U.S. (including New York City) and Japan, Jensen has established herself as one of Australia’s premier jazz artists. Her impressive discography (Lucky So and So, Blue Joy, The Sapphire Tree, and Shimmer) features a who’s who of the Australian Jazz scene including the late (American) trumpeter Don Rader, trombonist/trumpeter James Morrison, pianist Alister Spence, guitarist James Muller, trumpeter Miroslav Bukovsky, each album marking a chapter in her evolving sound.
 
Bonnie J Jensen builds on that legacy with RISE, pushing boundaries with grace and sophistication. The result is a dynamic, genre-fluid collection that swings, soothes, and surprises—a testament to her enduring creativity and musical vision.
 
“This album is about expanding boundaries—mine and the music’s,” says Jensen. “It’s a celebration of versatility and storytelling through jazz.”