On OBSESSION: Jason Ennis (guitar), Gary Wang (bass), Conor Mehan (drums), Victor Prieto (accordion), Todd Reynolds (violin), Ansel Matthews (backing voclas). BUY CD AT: www.amazon.com, www.motema.com, www.cduniverse.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, www.itunes.com
On LISTEN LOVE: Freddie Bryant (guitar), Essiet Essiet (bass), Chembo Corniel (percussion), Mark Berman (piano)
On NIGHTS OF KEY LARGO: Kenny Werner (piano), Romero Lubambo (guitar), Jay Leonhart (bass), Joel Frahm (saxophone), Billy Drummond (drums)
Influences
Nature, Devon, Mum, Celtic music, Flamenco dancers, Sketches of Spain, Milton Nascimento, Wayne Shorter, Mark Murphy, Andy Bey, Sarah Vaughan, Jon Lucien, Shirley Horn, Miles Davis, Joan Armatrading, Sandy Denny, Fairport Convention (especially Sandy Denny), Pentangle (especially Bert Jansch), Sheila Jordan, Bill Evans, Mansur Scott and tons of others.
Sounds Like
LISTEN LOVE: Jazz meets Flamenco meets Celtic meets Middle Eastern. Hear it at www.tessasouter.com. Buy it at www.cdbaby.com/tessasouter
NIGHTS OF KEY LARGO: Jazz. Buy it at www.cdbaby.com/tessasouter2
Please follow Tessa's new blog at: http://anythingicandoyoucandobetter.blogspot.com
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."
Tessa!!!!!!! So sweet!!! Thank you so much for your sweet message on the phone and comment at myspace!! I really appreciate your encouragement!!! I love your CD and I was going to buy at blue note when you had CD release party. I had go home right away after the show so I could not !!! Of course You are my ideal singer and really love your singing!!! I will give my CD when I see you!! I am working this Friday until 7:45 or 8pm. My friend hiroko is also crazy about your music. We are always talking about you! I love your show and cannot wait to hear soon!! Thank you Tessa, You are super sweet!!
“Love yourself—accept yourself—forgive yourself—and be good to yourself, because without you the rest of us are without a source of many wonderful things.” ~ Leo Buscaglia
Apologies for missing thursday are you & Billy around next week in the smoke?
I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!
Hey Thanks for the friendship, I truly appreciate it! I’m getting ready to play as much as possible in the US. Feel free to check out my band profile (see below), download free MP3s from my brandnew debut album or even become a fan! :)) Blessings, Vlada http://www.facebook.com/pages/VLADA/13506957663 PS: You can download the album on iTunes or order the Limited Second Edition CD here: www.vladamusic.com.
Tessa!!! Thank you for comment!!! CD release show at Blue Note was amazing and you are beautiful and sounded amazing as always!! I missed Duo show at 55 bar! My friend went and she told me it was really really amazing! I wanted to go!!!>.< miss you Tessa! I cannot wait to her your CD too!!
Hello, Tessa- I heard your interview on KJAZZ radio this morning and was delighted to hear some of the cuts from your new CD "Obsession." I especially LOVE your version of "Eleanor Rigby" (another classic and favorite of mine). BEAUTIFUL! Everything I've heard that you and the musicians you work with do is absolutely fantastic.
Also, hope you're enjoying your short time in Los Angeles. I know the gig at Catalina will be awesome ... like always.
For now, take care, and thank you, thank you, thank you for the music. It really does make a difference in life.
If Nick Drake could hear "Riverman," he'd no doubt lead the standing ovation (!) -- what a sensitive and thoughtful rendering...as always, you amaze and engage so artfully. Best wishes for the new CD! Warm Regards, Richard