Saxophonist | Flautist | Composer
With her lyrical melodies, sensitive compositions and thoughtful melodies, Mia Barham is an exciting saxophonist and flautist from Melbourne, Australia. Mia has performed with renowned jazz artists from around the globe including Nduduzo Makhatani, Ingrid Jenson and Andrea Keller. She has two releases to her name, both of which have been featured on ABC Jazz, PBS and have been performed at prestigious Melbourne venues The Jazzlab and Tempo Rubato.
Mia Barham grew up in Melbourne, Australia. She studied at the Victorian College of the Arts, specialising in Jazz and Improvisation under the guidance of esteemed mentors Andrea Keller, Angela Davis, and Grammy-nominated trumpeter Nadje Noordhuis. Initially trained as a classical flautist, she later transitioned to an improvisational focus, though her deep appreciation and love for classical music continues to shape her artistic voice. Barham is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of jazz and classical genres, and employing improvisation to find a middle ground between the two. She is constantly exploring new expressive possibilities on her instruments, and utilise live effects to expand her sonic landscape in live performance. She is fascinated by recreating natural environments in her music, which was the inspiration behind two of her releases: Earth Songs and Where The Mountains Echo My Footsteps. Her persistent creativity and artistic bravery establish her as a compelling force in contemporary music.
Barham has developed a diverse body of original work. At just twenty-three, she has released three projects: Earth Songs, Inwards, and Where The Mountains Echo My Footsteps. Her albums Inwards and Earth Songs have been featured on ABC Jazz and performed at some of Melbourne’s most esteemed venues, including The Jazzlab and Tempo Rubato. She has also appeared at the Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival and the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, solidifying her presence in the national jazz scene.
