Jazz/blues singer Jessie Gordon and guitarist, saxophonist and vocalist Mark Turner have been friends since Mark was 13 years old (he”s now 31). The pair have performed in many bands and shows together over the years and will present Fringe show – Mark Turner and Jessie Gordon: Best Friends at Ellington Jazz Club from February 13 to 17.
Camera IconJazz/blues singer Jessie Gordon and guitarist, saxophonist and vocalist Mark Turner have been friends since Mark was 13 years old (he”s now 31). The pair have performed in many bands and shows together over the years and will present Fringe show – Mark Turner and Jessie Gordon: Best Friends at Ellington Jazz Club from February 13 to 17. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie www.communitypix.com.au d489476

Mark Turner and Jessie Gordon bring their Best Friends Fringe show to the Ellington

Tanya MacNaughtonEastern Reporter

MUSICIAN and vocalist Mark Turner found a kindred spirit in jazz/blues singer Jessie Gordon when he was just 13 years old and playing in the Kalamunda Youth Swing Band.

Eighteen years later and their friendship is stronger than ever, inspiring Fringe show Mark Turner and Jessie Gordon: Best Friends at The Ellington Jazz Club from February 13 to 17.

“We share the same values of life and spirit of music, always striving to be better,” Turner, of Joondanna, said.

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“It’s just one of those lovely friendships that is always great and feels like home for me.

“She’s super fun to party with and has been the driving force in improving my fashion game since I was a young chap.”

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Turner, who plays guitar and saxophone with Adam Hall and the Velvet Playboys, said the duo put The Darling Buds of May band together soon after they met and their music careers developed from there, becoming well-known in the Perth music scene and touring Australia and internationally, together and separately.

Their latest separation only proved the power of their friendship.

“I was in Europe for a few months when she was in Broome and we only had a one day overlap where she could launch her new album, A Work of Friction that we recorded earlier in the year,” the 31 year old said.

“We had a two-day window in Malaysia where I thought I could play the gig if I flew back for the day and then go back to Malaysia to finish my tour.

“I flew from Germany to Malaysia and straight to Perth and did the show, then slept in and missed my flight, so I had to rebook another flight and made it to my next gig in Malaysia the next day with five minutes to spare.

“I saw Jessie once and then she went off to Europe.”

The pair will make up for lost time performing the one-hour Best Friends show featuring “a collection of our favourite songs reimaged and a spontaneous, organised chaos”.

It will be a case of set list roulette where the audience gets to create a new show each night, choosing from cover and originals.

“We have such a huge catalogue of tunes so if people want to hear something, it will be heard.”