The Tessa Souter Group will make an appearance in New York at Joe’s Pub. Only performing one set at 7:30pm on January 2nd, 2010, the group is promoting their latest release Obsession (Motema Music, 2009)

On her stunning third recording, Obsession (Motema Music), London-born (of Trinidadian and English parents), New York-based Tessa Souter (soo-ter) presents a multicultural banquet that reflects her conjoined African, Indian, and English bloodlines. Her first CD, Listen Love, won critical raves for her “crystal clear voice and diamond cut phrasing” (Philadelphia Inquirer) and “direct, soulful sound”(Village Voice).

Her sophomore CD, Night of Key Largo, on Japanese audiophile label, Venus – with all-stars 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.”

“A true jazz singer, she employs her voice as a musical instrument and as the member
of an ensemble … [bringing] … this approach [on Obsession] to … a collection of jazz
tunes by the likes of Kenny Barron, Freddie Hubbard and Milton Nascimento along with
jazz versions of Nick Drake’s “River Man,” Cream’s “White Room” and the Beatles’
“Eleanor Rigby.” In doing so, she creates a kind of modern Great Anglo-American
Songbook.” [Berkshire Living magazine]

Background

After moving to New York in 1996, Souter started sitting in at jazz jams, before winning a scholarship to New York’s Manhattan School of Music in 1998. She left to study with jazz vocal legend Mark Murphy, her mentor for four years, who says of her, “She is a true musician …. extraordinary and very moving.” Since then, Souter has developed into a phenomenal live performer, “… completely captivating her audience”[Mark Murphy] — singing to sold out houses all over the world, from the Blue Note, New York to the Samara Philharmonic, Russia.

To quote a recent live review [of her sold out return to the Rochester International Jazz Festival, 2009]:

“To say Souter enchanted the audience would be an understatement ….. The capacity
crowd seemed transfixed by Souter’s gorgeous voice and wonderful personality.”
(Rochester City Paper).

“Better still, she delivers it with a wit and a wink worthy of the toniest joints in town.”
(Time Out New York).

More Artist Info

Performance Details

Janurary 2nd, 2010
(7:30pm)
Cover: $15 pre-sale; $18 at the door

Joe’s Pub
425 Lafayette St
New York, NY 10003-7021
(212) 539-8777
www.joespub.com

Related Posts

1. Firehouse 12 Hosts James Carney Group
2. 2nd Annual “Company of Heaven Jazz Festival” At Cornelia Street Cafe: Jan. 8th-10th
3. Jazz Bakery Hosts New Year’s Eve Benefit: Featured artists include Kenny Burrell, James Moody and Benny Green
4. Sean Jones Group To Play The Jazz Standard In New York
5. Sonny Rollins To Play The Tarrytown Music Hall: Benefit concert for Hudson River Sloop Clearwater