‘Her voice has all the real drama of the truly great Jazz Singers’
…… Jeremy Michael Miller
I started singing around Aberdeen on the club scene aged 17, but when I first heard jazz in my early twenties, it was like coming home. I heard a recording of Sarah Vaughan singing ‘If I Loved you’ in a way I had never heard anyone sing before. From then onwards I sought out all the recordings of Jazz singers I could find and each new discovery was like a whole new world. The singers who influenced me most in the early years were Anita O’Day, Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan, and Marion Montgomery. At the time I was studying a degree in Fine Art at Leeds Polytechnic and I felt jazz improvisation was very close in spirit to the abstract paintings I was creating. I was interested in spaces between objects, using colour as accents, taking a line for a walk … all of these correlate to Jazz improvisation I love to listen to.
After studying vocal technique with Donna Orlando at the Arts Connexion in Edinburgh, I went on to undertake several Jazz workshops with Fionna Duncan, Rob Hall and Ged Brockie. Through one of these, I met Mark Murphy who has been my main influence to this day. It was through his encouragement that I took the plunge and found the courage to get out and sing jazz. For the past few years I have also been performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 'Billie is Blue' and 'Songs from Almodovar Films' and 'Lady Jazz' sold out and got us some wonderful reviews. I recorded a CD, ‘This is What You Are’, which got some great reviews too and a lot of radio play.
I would like to thank my late friend and fellow singer Alan Mackay for reminding me that,first and foremost, we are all just fans of this music. Also thanks to my friend Mick Simpson and the late Rob Morsberger for all those hours we spent listening to recordings.
‘Stunning voice’ …. Jazz Aberdeen
‘A natural improviser …. one of the best jazz singers in Scotland’ … Aberdeen Performing Arts
'A very good singer' ...Mark Murphy
‘Brilliant Phrasing’ …Sophie Bancroft
‘One to watch’ …Jim Brooks
‘Faultless set’ … Southside Advertiser
' I was impressed ... a real Jazz Singer' ... Nancy Kelly
'Her voice is in a class of it's own' ... Garioch Jazz Festival