YEARS of living in Qatar, and travelling the world, has seen Michael Pignéguy’s jazz morph into something a little different.

“My training is in jazz, but I lived overseas and there is a world bent to my music,” the drummer/composer tells the Herald.

Pignéguy returned to WA less than a year ago, but hasn’t let the grass grow under his feet.

• Michael Pignéguy’s back after traveling abroad.

Along with regular performances around Perth and teaching, he’s performed at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and the recent Vivid Sydney.

Between eastern states gigs Michael Pignéguy and the Awakenings Ensemble is set to perform at the smoky jazz den, the Duke of George, in East Fremantle.

He’ll be joined by Evelyn Feroza, a Malaysian vocal powerhouse who he’s teamed up with several times before.

• Malaysian powerhouse Evelyn Feroza.

In what could be sacrilegious to jazz aficionados he’s done away with the saxophone for his WA show.

“I chose to have all rhythm, guitar and vocal,” the renowned jazz drummer says unapolagetically.

Pignéguy and Feroza will be joined by Roy Martinez, Simon Jeans and Harry Mitchell.
You can catch them at the Duke of George, corner of Duke and George Streets, East Fremantle July 11.

by JENNY D’ANGER