Familiar with fame

Rosemary Sorensen | Bendigo Weekly | 14-Jun-2012

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Greta Bradman
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Greta Bradman’s grandfather might have been Australia’s best ever cricketer, but her father was a jazz musician.

 “I used to come to Bendigo as a kid with my dad,” the soprano says.

“There was such a strong live jazz culture here, and that’s what I remember of Bendigo – the jazz.”

 Greta was in town a couple of months ago to sing at the opening of the Grace Kelly show.

She returns this month to perform music from her new album, also titled Grace, as well as “truly exquisite songs” she has chosen for her tour.

 A psychologist who grew up in the Adelaide hills, Greta says starting a music career relatively late has proved a hard struggle.

“I had this sense of needing to catch up,” she says.

 “I had to learn so much about music and about myself and what I love in music.

“Maybe because my last name is Bradman, if anything the music world has been a little more sceptical, so I had the sense I had to get in front of as many people as possible.

 “It is evolving, and it’s getting to the point now where it feels like the next stage will be invitations to do concerts in London, New York and elsewhere.”

Greta speaks warmly and enthusiastically about the experience of growing up the granddaughter of Don Bradman, and reading the diaries he wrote.

 She credits being surrounded by people passionate about music for her own interest, and will sing a song written by her grandfather in her Bendigo concert.

“I do love to be able to talk a little – but not too much – about grandpa, who was so passionate about both music and sport,” she says.

 “A lot of people have this dual passion – there is this unspoken duality in Australia.

“Coming from a psychology background, I love to be able to talk about that, and to encourage people to open their ears and give classical music a go.”

 In 2010 Greta’s first album was nominated for an ARIA award and she won the Mietta Song Competition.

 Now, she is focussing on honing her voice, to make the most of its strengths.

She enjoys performing, even if it means she must make herself vulnerable.

“I really feel my voice is getting bigger and stronger,” she says.

“Maybe it has to do with coming to singing in my later 20s, but now I know my voice well enough to capitalise on the range I have.

“I would not call myself an optimist, but I do have a belief that I can succeed.

“Maria Callas said, if you have the voice, you will find a way of getting that voice out.”

Greta Bradman performs at The Capital on Tuesday June 26, 8pm: tickets $45, available at the box office or on 5434 6100.

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