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London-born of Trinidadian and English parents, New York-based vocalist, composer, and lyricist Tessa Souter (soo-ter) uniquely infuses jazz with the soul and passion of flamenco, Indian and Middle Eastern music. "The best thing is that Souter sounds different." [Karl Stark, Philadelphia Inquirer]. Acclaimed as "one of the few exceptional standouts in the crowded field of female jazz singers" [International Review of Music], and "... well-known to jazz aficionados in New York for almost a decade, [her new CD], the free-spirited 'Obsession', should introduce her to many new fans worldwide." [Ken Dryden, All Music Guide]. "Utterly compelling and original ...skip-proof..." said Paul Quinn in Jazzwise Magazine. Sheila Jordan says: “She’s at the top of my list of great talent … There aren’t many, but Tessa is a natural born singer. She really moves me.”

"Utterly compelling and original ...skip-proof..." Jazzwise Magazine [Obsession]

"... a gripping display of her ability to do it all with a startlingly far-reaching collection of material." Don Heckman, International Review of Music [Obsession]

"... no room for debate about her handling of jazz material ... subtle yet sizzling ...Souter shimmers ..." Ken Dryden, All Music Guide [Obsession]

"Striking, soulful ... likely to rank high on 'best of' lists at year's end." Mike Joyce, Washington Post [Obsession]

"Magnificent! I couldn't stop playing it over and over. She blew me away!" Jon Lucien [Listen Love]

"She is a complete musician … extraordinary and moving." Mark Murphy

"Tessa is an important musician... whose brilliant lyrics and songs make her stand out from the pack so very much, not to mention how well she sings other people's material." Howard Johnson

"Tessa Souter has all the qualities I value most in a musician: great time, beautiful phrasing, gorgeous sound, a respect for silence, an emotional connection to the moment, and a wonderful ability to tell a story. She is the 'real thing' in every way." Larry Koonse

Her first CD, the self produced Listen Love was praised for her "crystal clear voice and diamond cut phrasing…” (Philadelphia Inquirer), “direct, soulful sound…” (Village Voice), and “ability to see the shape of a tune so the words seem to come from her soul…” (AllAboutJazz-New York). Her sophomore CD, ‘Nights of Key Largo’, recorded on the Japanese audiophile label, Venus, with Kenny Werner, Billy Drummond, Jay Leonhart, Joel Frahm, and Romero Lubambo, won the coveted Gold Disc review in January 2009’s Swing Journal, which said of her, “… there are traces of Billie Holiday and Carmen McRae in her phrasing, and Julie London and Peggie Lee in her delicate breathing, which harbors a touch of sorrow.”

Her third CD, Obsession (Motema), recorded with guitarist Jason Ennis, bassist Gary Wang, drummer Conor Meehan, violinist Todd Reynolds, singer Ansel matthews and accordion player Victor Prieto, was released in August 2009.

To quote Time Out New York, "Tessa Souter brings new life to time-honored standards as well as mining a creative spark from the unlikeliest quarters. Better still, she serves it up with a wit and a wink worthy of the toniest joints in town."