IN Jazz

Singer and fashionista Ali Bodycoat wouldn’t trade Perth for quids.

When she was a child the trills and grooves of jazz music washed through the Bodycoat house.

So it’s probably no surprise that Ali Bodycoat became a jazz singer rather than being beguiled by pop. She’s been performing for more than 15 years and Ali has become one of Perth’s most recognised and loved jazz singers.

Starting in hospitality, where she learnt from the city’s best about style and service, Ali did her first professional jazz show in 1995 and never looked back.

These days the glamorous singer is rarely spotted without her trademark bold red lipstick and never wears anything but clothes by celebrated local designer Aurelio Costarella, for whom she also manages Post Emporium, the label’s North Perth store.

Ali is the proud owner of one of Perth’s longest musical residencies – 14 years at The Subiaco Hotel – where her repertoire focuses on great songs rather than just expected jazz standards.

“I swore I would never do songs like Fever or Summertime because I wanted to take the approach of singing beautiful jazz that wasn’t outrageously overexposed,” says Ali. “I wanted to broaden the audience’s journey too. If it’s beautiful music presented well, then people will listen. That’s part of the fantasy and mystery of being an entertainer.

“There’s something about the romance of jazz and the writing for me. The lyrics and the contents are not ashamed to be romantic and even cheesy. “Cole Porter is my most favourite, alongside Johnny Mercer and Gershwin. The fact that most of them wrote both lyrics and music in those days in the style was quite phenomenal.”

Ali has worked in theatre, appearing in productions like Rent and Hair, but recently debuted her self-created one-woman cabaret show, Minor Major Marlene, which was part of this year’s Cabaret Soiree Carnival season Downstairs at The Maj. Her three-night stand was a sell-out and has opened possibilities to tour the show.

While most people consider not leaving Perth to pursue art elsewhere as some kind of failure, Ali has proven you can build a successful, thriving and engaging career here while enjoying the best the city has to offer. She’s gained respect, reputation and plenty of work as well as actively supporting the arts and volunteering for worthy causes like StyleAid.

“I think Perth really is striding ahead compared to other Australian cities. People are actually choosing to move here and that’s really cool to me. Whether it’s music or retail, ideas and styles are really blossoming here.”

Don’t ever tell her Perth is dull. She’s one of our biggest supporters, is outspoken about issues like why the West Australian Symphony Orchestra has no home and wants to encourage everyone to support the wide variety of activities on offer.

“I think Perth has the opportunity to become even more of a hub for all kinds of arts – from music and fashion to food. We’ve got a new theatre coming and newer venues like The Ellington and The Bird are showing people it’s possible.”