Chanteuse encourages more locals to jazz it up
Annick Gouw brings a touch of French glamour to her performances - but that is just a small slice of the gateau that Illawarra Jazz Club offers
It's a long way from Paris to Helensburgh, but vocalist Annick Gouw wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
Annick is a self-confessed jazz lover. "As a kid, I loved old music and old movies from the 1940s, and I was brought up listening to Edith Piaf and other French artists," she said.
Annick was aged five when her family migrated to Australia but her love of French culture and French music in particular is as strong as ever.
Having grown up in Melbourne and Sydney, Annick moved to Helensburgh in 1987 after marrying. She loves being close to Wollongong's beaches while also having Sydney just up the road.
Annick (second from right) with the jazz club committee in 2025. Photos: Illawarra Jazz Club, Jeremy Lasek
It was 11 years ago, after joining the Illawarra Jazz Club, that Annick had her first opportunity to perform publicly: "They gave me a go."
Annick performs French songs and her next performance will be on a shared bill at the Illawarra Jazz Club's weekly concert at City Collegians on June 20.
"It's great having jazz every week, and we're probably the only jazz club in Australia that has a performance every week," Annick said. While providing a great opportunity for local musicians to play, "we also have a lot of Sydney bands come down to play".
Now secretary of the Illawarra Jazz Club, Annick is encouraging more people to get along to the 2-5pm shows every Saturday at Collies – "especially young people".
"We need more members and more young people to come along for the club to survive."
Annick said entry for the three-hour Saturday gigs is very affordable at just $10. "What do you get for $10 these days?" Annick said.
