Tracye Eileen, An American in Paris

Tracye Eileen, the Chicago-born jazz and soul singer who recently relocated to Paris, is set to perform her show “A Tribute to Chicago Jazz, Soul & Blues” at the Sunset-Sunside jazz club in Paris on April 2, 2025. The performance will highlight her connection to the musical traditions of her hometown, Chicago, and mark another step in her journey as an artist who has recently relocated to Europe. Accompanied by George Granville on keyboards, Pierre-Yves Lejeune on double bass, and Max Hartock on drums, Eileen will present a program that explores the intersection of the Chicago jazz, soul, and blues tradition that have shaped her career so far.

The upcoming show at Sunset-Sunside is one of two major projects Eileen has been focusing on since her move to Paris in early 2024. This program, which builds upon her extensive experience in Chicago’s vibrant music scene, made its European debut in Germany in late 2024, where it played to full houses.

Originally from Chicago, Eileen has spent years immersed in the city’s rich musical culture. She held a nine-year residency at Buddy Guy’s Legends, a club known for its role in preserving and promoting Chicago’s blues and jazz heritage. Performing regularly in this venue provided her with a deep understanding of these genres and their history.

Eileen’s path into music was not straightforward. Her decision to transition into music came after a significant life change. Tracye said: “After my second divorce in 2009, I made a conscious decision to pursue the life I truly desired, rather than the one I felt I was expected to lead. This journey taught me that it’s never too late to follow your dreams and create a path that aligns with your true aspirations.” This shift marked the beginning of her professional music career and led to the release of several albums over the past decade. Her discography includes “Love’s Journey” (2012), “Why Did I Say ‘Yes?” (2018), “It’s Time” (2020), and “You Hit The Spot” (2022). Each project reflects different aspects of her artistry, from jazz-soul originals to interpretations of jazz standards.

Her most recent album, “You Hit The Spot”, was included in our Top Ten Albums of 2022. This album saw Eileen presenting interpretations of material rooted in the Great American Songbook. Tracye, mentioned that doing a straight jazz album was something she always wanted to do, stating that this was the material she grew up on and informed her early career. She went on to say that after doing this record it was time to move on: “I really wanted to move in a different direction but felt limited in the USA, after being exposed to what was going on in Europe I knew I had to be there.”

While the Sunset-Sunside show represents a continuation and refinement of Eileen’s established style, her main focus since moving to Paris has been on a more ambitious project. Eileen is currently working on a new album, scheduled for release toward the end of 2025, which promises to take her music in an entirely new direction.

This forthcoming album sees Eileen collaborating with Ola Onabule, French guitarist Ralf Lavital and other French musicians of African heritage. The project aims to create a fusion of Eileen’s African roots with contemporary European jazz and soul influences. The music on the up-coming album will feature original compositions that explore themes of, diversity, displacement, strength, and resilience. The collaboration represents a significant departure from Eileen’s previous work, blending her background with the diverse musical landscape of her new Parisian home. When arriving in Paris, Tracye sought to surround herself with musicians of African heritage, a deliberate choice that allowed her to tap into a rich tapestry of cultural influences and shared diasporic experiences.

In a recent interview, Eileen shared her excitement about this new direction: “I wanted to expand my artistic horizon, and Paris was the perfect place to do this. This new album will probably surprise a few people; we’re taking things in a whole new direction.”

Chicago has long been associated with these genres. The city played a central role in the development of urban blues during the early 20th century as African Americans migrated north during the Great Migration. Musicians such as Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf helped define the Chicago blues sound with electrified instruments and amplified vocals. At the same time, Chicago became a hub for jazz musicians who brought their own styles from New Orleans and other parts of the country.

The Sunset-Sunside venue itself is well-suited for this type of performance. Located in Paris’s vibrant jazz scene, it has hosted musicians from around the world while maintaining an intimate atmosphere that encourages close interaction between performers and audiences. For Eileen, performing in this space offers an opportunity not only to share her music but also to engage directly with listeners who may be encountering her work for the first time.

Eileen’s move to Paris reflects broader trends within contemporary jazz as artists increasingly seek opportunities outside their home countries. Europe has long been an important market for jazz musicians due partly to its audience base but also its network of festivals, clubs, and recording opportunities. As mentioned earlier in this piece, Eileen was first introduced to the European scene when attending Jazzahead! in Bremen in 2022, an experience that significantly influenced her career trajectory. Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Eileen shared, “This really opened my eyes to what was going on in Europe. I loved the openness to ideas and way that many artists were blending influences into their music. It’s what I’d been looking for.”

It remains clear that Tracye Eileen is committed not only preserving connections between past influences present innovations but also exploring ways those connections might evolve over time.

Tracye Eileen
A Tribute to Chicago Jazz, Soul & Blues

Date: April 2nd 2025
Time: 20:30
Location: Sunset-Sunside (Sunset Room)
Address: 60 rue des Lombards – Paris 1er

Line-Up:
Tracye Eileen – vocals
George Granville – keyboards
Pierre-Yves Lejeune – double bass
Max Hartock – drums