Cover Image: Shameem and her band light up The Ellington Jazz Club with a dynamic, soul‑rich performance spanning decades of iconic music. Photo supplied.

Aretha to Alicia: A Soul Odyssey, by Shameem Taheri-Lee
The Ellington Jazz Club, Fringe World Festival
Sunday, 1st February 2026

As the sun sets on a Sunday evening, The Ellington Jazz Club emerges as the beaming light attracting all jazz and soul music admirers alike to its doorsteps. The intimate location is home to many of Perth’s seasoned and aspirational music artists, and Shameem is no stranger to the Ellington’s stage. Her comfortability and confidence is demonstrated in her performance, characterised by its energetic, passionate, and simply soul touching presentation. 

True to the name of the show, Shameem begins her set with Aretha Franklin’s 1967 hit RESPECT. From the moment she enters the stage, her electric energy is evident. The audience immediately understands that Shameem will bring these impactful soul artists to life for the next hour. As her smile and gaze pans across the room catching the eyes of audience members, we’re drawn in. The connection between sound, artist and the individual is established early in her performance.

“Everyone is a soul sister tonight”, she welcomes.

As Shameem takes the audience through decades of soul music, her vocal capabilities and personal interpretation of these sounds entices the ears of the audience. From Stevie Wonder to Chaka Khan, Shameem perfectly articulates the intricacies of each individual sound. She  likens her tone to emulate the masculine jazz sound of Stevie Wonder, and her flirtation with the feminine disco soul sound of Chaka Khan offers an eloquently achieved exploration of the love and emotion subject in these tunes. 

Shameem’s accompanying band included Thierryno Gangou on the keys, Cam Ellis on the back-up vocals and guitar, Tommi Flamenco on the bass, and Ryan Daunt on the drums. Each musician is as talented as the next. The show included sections of songs through which solo demonstrations were performed and this musicality was a highlight of the show. Each press of a key, strum of a bass guitar and smash of a drum set trembled the room, and audiences felt connected to the beats being played while immersed in the local scene’s atmosphere.

As the hour comes to its end, Shameem’s tribute to Alicia Keys is truly touching. She thanks Alicia Keys for existing, and audiences are taught to understand the relation of identity between Shameem and Alicia Keys as mixed-race women trying to make it in their vocal pursuits. It is evident that Keys is an inspiration and a beacon for Shameem to feel seen. As Empire State of Mind (Part 2) Broken Down begins the audience understands her aspirations. The song choice perfectly emulates the desires of many creatives both within the Ellington Jazz Club that evening and those wandering the streets hoping to take their craft to the next level. These are outlined in the moving lyrics delivered by Shameem – the pursuit of success, and ultimately, the desire and ability to accomplish anything you want. 

Overall, Shameem’s passion for her craft is evident throughout her performance. More than just a vocalist and pianist, Shameem is a performer. At every moment her presence exuded passion and emotion from head to toe. Dancing to the tunes, interacting with her admirers, and allowing her band to shine. Her joy and optimism are unceasing, and her energy filled the room with warmth.

It is no wonder that the remainder of her Fringe Festival run is completely sold out. It was truly a highlight of the Fringe Festival program.