Written by New York based vocalist Tessa Souter is one of the most established artists on the New York, vocal scene and on January 20 and 20 will cross the pond for two concerts in the Pheasantry. Tessa is known for her penchant for exploring music mostly untouched by other vocalists has set her apart as “one of the few exceptional standouts in the crowded field of female jazz singers.” (Los Angeles Times).
Souter is no stranger to the UK with previous performances at Pizza Express, Ronnie Scott’s as well as performances at the London Jazz Festival and the Edinburgh Jazz Festival. In addition, in 2013 her Third Stream project, Beyond the Blue (Venus-Motéma, 2013), featuring Steve Kuhn and spotlighting Souter’s own lyrics to classical gems by Albinoni, Chopin et al, was a London Sunday Times Jazz Record of the Year in 2013.
However, these are not the only links Souter has with the UK, Tessa was born in London to a Trinidadian father and an English mother. In 1992, Souter moved to the U.S., working as a freelance writer for the international press, including the London Times, Guardian, Independent, The Daily Telegraph to name a few. Now based in San Francisco her passion for music began to take the upper hand and in 1997 moved to East Coast settling in New York. Encouraged by various musicians to consider a musical career, she studied briefly at Manhattan School of Music, where she met jazz legend Mark Murphy who offered her the opportunity to study with him for four years in exchange for running his workshops and private classes. She also cites jazz singer Sheila Jordan as a significant mentor.
Since giving up her former career as an international features journalist for magazines and newspapers to devote herself to music, Souter’s artistry has gone from strength to strength, taking her on multiple sold out tours of the philharmonic halls of Russia and performances at SF Jazz, the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, Mezzrow, the Blue Note, Jazz Standard and Joe’s Pub in New York, Pizza Express, Ronnie Scott’s, the London and Edinburgh Jazz Festivals, Star Eyes (Nagoya), and Body and Soul (Tokyo), Japan. Pre-pandemic, her 17-year monthly residency at New York’s iconic 55 Bar was frequently standing room only.
Being familiar with Tessa’s work, a number of her tracks have been highly popular on our “Jazz Vocals” playlist, we can only recommend these coming dates as one not to miss. Joining Tessa at the Pheasantry will be Conor Chaplin (bass), Jim Watson (piano) and New York drummer Billy Drummond.
For more information and tickets see below:
Date: Friday & Saturday, January 20 & 21
Time: Doors open at 6:30PM Show starts at 8PM
Venue: The Pheasantry, 152/154 King’s Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4U
Last modified: December 14, 2022
