It was Russell who drew my attention to an article in The Journal on a young singer/pianist from the Northumbrian village of Riding Mill.
23 year old Tessa Smith, a former pupil of Hexham's Queen Elizabeth High School, first studied piano with the late Kenny Morrell, himself a local jazz legend, before graduating from Leeds College of Music. Tessa has just recorded a CD - "Bookmark" by the Tessa Smith Quartet. Curious to find out more, I followed various links to her myspace site where there are four excellent tracks to listen to and get an idea of where Tessa's at. It's worth the trip.
In particular, I liked "Tess's Torch Song" - an update of the old Arlen tune. It's the one that begins, 'I had a man, he was a good man. I had a friend, she was a good friend etc.'
Currently Tessa is playing a monthly residency at Harvey Nichols' store in Leeds.
A store, they tell me, that epitimises quality.
Lance.
PS: 'Bookmark' Tessa's site.
2 comments :
Hi there,
I just wanted to say thanks for your lovely comments about my music!
I'd better clear one thing up though - I don't play the piano nearly well enough to play in the quartet! The pianist featured is a particularly talented friend of mine, Aidan Shepherd.
But I'm glad you enjoyed our music, and hope you will visit my website to see what we're up to! (tessasmith.com)
Thanks!
Apologies to Aiden - post corrected.
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