| Clare Teal |
| 05-06-2002 00:00 |
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Are the standards infinite sources for improvisation?
Absolutely. The chord structures and progressions of standards written by Gershwin, Porter, Berlin and Kern etc. offer such a rich base for improvisation without losing their original feel. However as a ‘jazz’ singer I feel the worst thing you can do is improvise just for the sake of it - this is, for me a pointless exercise with no emotional reward. I am really trying not to sound like a pompous, patronising artiste (!?) but jazz is music of the soul and improvisation - the means to express and pass on a roller coaster of emotions to the listener.
Do you consider yourself a jazz singer?
Yes I do. Although I have had to sing many different styles of music in my career. (In a former life I was a jingle singer- employed as a ‘soundy-likey’) From being a small child Jazz has always been the music that moved me the most. Jazz is where my heart is, but I do enjoy listening to other kinds of music from Brahms-Beatles-Blur!
Your favourite composer? Why?
Cole Porter - without a shadow of a doubt. Here is a man who effortlessly writes heart stopping melodies and sophisticated and witty lyrics! To me, he captures the essence of a magical time (which I desperately wish I had been born into). Mr Porter’s career was long and very successful - proof of his marvellous enduring talent. Even today, many years after his death, people still celebrate his music.
Please describe your repertoire
Hastily written on the back of a cigarette packet!! It’s a mixture of the Great American Songbook, my originals and a few contemporary covers done in a jazz style. Each number is specifically picked either because of it’s melody, harmony or lyric or simply because we just like them. The fabulous Martin Litton, (pianist) writes all our arrangements and makes sure our programme is always varied. I like the audience to feel every emotion from soaring highs that make you want to dance to crashing lows where grown men cry!
Which is your favourite tune? Why?
I have many favourite songs - I never sing songs I don’t like!! But yes I do have a particular favourite at the moment. In 1935 George Gershwin and DuBose Heyward wrote the controversial black opera ‘Porgy and Bess’. The whole score is charged with massive emotions, but the song I have always related to most is ‘I love’s you Porgy’ I rarely get through it without tears in my eyes. I can always tell if the audience has enjoyed it - instead of clapping I hear handbags opening in a search of tissues and people blowing their noses!
Do you think one day you will sing and record with a big band? Would you appreciate?
I certainly hope so. From the age of 6 or 7 Big band music was one of the few things I listened to. I saw Robbie Williams performing with a big band at the Albert Hall in London. I was sick with jealousy!
How is the jazz scene in the UK? A lot of work? Many concerts? Good local musicians?
The jazz scene in the UK is OK! There has always been a very dedicated following but thanks to people like Robbie Williams, Diana Krall and Stacey Kent doors are being opened for younger people to get into jazz. The standard of the musicians in the UK is fantastic but maybe I’m a little biased?
Your favourite past and present jazz singers. Reasons why please.
I take my inspiration from great singers like Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. These guys were there when jazz was pop music but it’s the sheer warmth, depth, versatility and skill that I admire so much also the humour and spontaneity. Present day singers I enjoy are Claire Martin (young British Jazz Singer) Claire has a huge voice and lovely personality and chooses fabulous songs from many different writers old and new. Another British jazz singer is Ian Shaw this guy seems to have a 10 octave voice (...anything you can reach he can reach higher!). Other favourites are Neil Hannon (Divine Comedy) and Patricia Barber.
Is it important for a jazz singer to sell in the commercial/popular market?
Jazz singers are constantly accused of ‘selling out’ but what people have to appreciate is that maintaining a career within a niche market is not always easy and as I said earlier it is vital to encourage younger people to listen to jazz in order for it to carry on. If we have to make jazz more accessible is this such a bad thing?
How did you find Portuguese audiences?
The Portuguese audiences we played to were fabulous. The British have a reputation for being reserved while the Portuguese take a delight in enjoying themselves. I learned all the links between songs in Portuguese and this seemed to go down very well. But take a song like Porgy - the lyrics may be in English but the sentiment is universal.
Muito Obrigada Portugal!!! Ate logo!! |
José Duarte |
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Escritos e entrevistas
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Festivais
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- não há festivais agendados
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