Elixir, a famous Australian folk and jazz-inspired band, performed in Hanoi on May 16 as part of the Australian Government’s programme to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Vietnam-Australia diplomatic ties (1973-2013).

"We hope that Elixir’s tour will help bring the Australian music closer to Vietnamese audience,” said Australian Ambassador Hugh Borrowman, adding that t he tour is supported by Musica Viva which is Australia’s oldest independent performing arts organisation.

Elixir is a trio of friends and musicians – multi-platinum selling songstress Katie Noonan who is the one of Australian beloved vocalists, outstanding saxophonist Zac Hurren and the highly-regarded jazz guitarist Stephen Magnusson.

During this first tour of Vietnam, the band will present their album “First Seed Ripening”, which debuted at No. 1 on the Australia Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Jazz chart and went on to win the prestigious ARIA Award for Jazz in 2011.

Also supported by Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) and the Da Nang City Department of Foreign Affairs, the trio will give two performances at the VOV Theatre in Hanoi on May 16-17 before travelling to central Da Nang City for a performance at the Trung Vuong Theatre on May 19.

Apart from the concerts, the band will also conduct a workshop with teachers and students at the vocal, guitar and saxophone department of the University of Art Education in Hanoi and pay a visit to the Children’s Hope in Action (CHIA) – a non-government organisation looking after disadvantaged children in central Quang Nam province.-VNA