Alma Zygier on jazz, Judaism and her rising star

Becoming a musician was never part of the plan for Alma Zygier.

That shouldn’t come as a surprise for any other 26-year-old, but for Zygier – daughter of musicians Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier – such a career choice was practically written in the stars.

“My parents have been a big inspiration for me, but I never had major plans to be a singer growing up. I didn’t have real ambition for it,” Zygier told The Jewish Independent.

“When I was in year 12 and had to choose a university, I tried my luck at the jazz schools at Monash University and the Victorian College of the Arts – I ended up getting into both.”

Over a few short years, Zygier has made a name for herself in the genre of jazz and blues, regularly selling out gigs across Australia.

She’s appeared at the popular Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, and Sydney Festival – the latter of which she says brought a “surprising” crowd of around 700 people – and even teamed up with Australian legend Paul Kelly for a song on his much-loved Christmas album.

Zygier’s raw and commanding voice is beyond her years and her repertoire follows, often playing covers of her icons – Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith and Memphis Minnie are among her favourites – backed by a band that sometimes includes her dad.

Up until now, Zygier has released a handful of singles, but her latest venture is changing that. Recorded over a three-night run at Melbourne’s The Jazzlab in February, Zygier’s “live album” includes an eclectic line-up of songs from across the decades.