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Biography
Raised on a diet of swing staples Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole, in the early '90s Stacey Kent graduated from New York’s Sarah Lawrence College with a degree in comparative literature, without the thought of pursuing a music career. Kent subsequently moved to England where she began singing without any formal training, later studying at jazz at London’s esteemed Guildhall School of Music and Drama. It was there Kent met her future husband and tenor saxophone player Jim Tomlinson, and before long Kent was impressing audiences with the Vile Bodies Swing Orchestra at the Ritz Hotel in London. With a growing reputation, Kent earned the role of big-band singer in Ian McKellen’s film “Richard III”, after which she signed with Candid Records in 1996.
The following year Kent issued her debut full-length “Close Your Eyes” to widespread critical acclaim. The studio album “Love Is… The Tender Trap” followed in 1999, featuring a string of well-known swing/jazz numbers and Tomlinson on saxophone and production duties. The singer’s third, “Let Yourself Go: Celebrating Fred Astaire”, was a tribute to the graceful singer/dancer and was followed by “Dreamsville” in May 2001. Showcasing the music of Richard Rodgers, Kent’s fifth studio album “In Love Again: The Music of Richard Rogers” appeared in 2002 after which she presented the album of jazz numbers “The Boy Next Door” in August 2003.
In 2006 she recorded a collaborative album with partner Jim Tomlinson entitled “The Lyric”, which earned critical acclaim featuring songs by Frank Loesser, Irving Berlin, and Richard Rodgers. The record would prove to be her last on Candid Records with Kent subsequently singing with Blue Note/EMI. The studio effort “Breakfast on the Morning Tram” in 2007 represented her new label debut, and was followed three years later by the popular French-language album “Raconte-moi…”. The jazz singer’s debut live album “Dreamer in Concert” arrived in 2011 recorded at the La Cigale theatre in Paris, followed by the full-length “The Changing Lights” in 2013.
Live reviews
It’s pretty inspiring how diversely the term Jazz singer can be used. You’ve got everyone from the classic Rat Pack crooners, Sinatra, Davis Jr, Martin and the like, making pop hits out of the standards. All the way through to Louis Armstrong’s guttural roar evolving the genre to more experimental territories along with Nina Simone and Billie Holiday. You can see the sons and daughters of every incarnation of the jazz singer doing what they do best to this day if you look hard enough, and one of the most successful artists keeping the spirit of the crooners alive and well is Stacey Kent. In her case, her expressive, subtle voice is a treat to hear live, with every nuance and improvisation highlighted more so than on the record. Hers is the kind of performance that would feel intimate wherever it’s held. Her voice and stage presence heightened enough to let the entire audience know what she’s feeling during any given song, but low key enough to feel as natural as breathing. It’s pretty exquisite, especially when she’s able to interpret classic songs by the likes Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and the Gershwin’s. Many artists have made those songs their own but no-one does it quite like Stacey Kent, but don’t just take my word for it, but a ticket and see her perform the next chance you get!
william-howard-2
Jazz is a genre that has been present through the ages and remains relatively classic when you compare it to the likes of rock that has been reinterpreted and experimented with numerous times. New Jersey singer/songwriter Stacey Kent is a fantastic example of a traditionalist when it comes to jazz as her silky smooth vocal and beautiful accompanying tones need very little else to really hit home with her delightful fanbase.
The tours have always been in intimate venues and tonight is no different as the audience file in to be greeted with a close up stage decorated only with musical instruments and the odd selection of flowers. The quartet appears at once to cheers from the anticipating crowds and begin a downtempo, laid back set featuring 'Waters of March' and 'Ice Hotel' all lead by vocalist Stacey. She also acts as compere this evening introducing each track and the musicians along with herself to anybody unaware. They do not play for long yet the crowd is contented by the music played and the high quality of jazz they have experienced.
sean-ward
Being a music lover (and instrument player and singer) I like beautifull music in all musicstyles. And 'Jazz' is the musicstyle that I love more and more. Via Spotify I have now the opportunity to finetune my likings which is a great advantage. Stacey's music came on my list searching for smooth Jazz. 'Photograph' kept hanging in my brain for several weeks. Stacey replies to my favarite hang for dreamy, smooth and wonderfull music. I was very delighted to be on that concert in Antwerp in that renewed, splendid hall, although I was on my own (my wife and friends like other styles). I expected a concert with a bigband (the American way). But with the 4 top musicians it became a cosy, nice and warm performance. There was that feeling again hanging in my brain. Thanks Stacey and the band for this wonderfull evening!
Christiaan H.
christiaan-4
What a treat listening to Stacey Kent with the support of a full, some 45 piece, orchestra including 4 trombones and an actual harp. The core band includes SK husband on saxophone, and a brilliant drummer and a suitably subtle playing pianist. Special recognition should go to the wonderful violin arrangements. Great that this style of music is doing so well in this techno time.
A smooth trilingual concert that soft in the ears and touch the heart. I must admit that I can't hold my tears when I ascend to jazzy nirvana from my seat. Can't wait for another concert of Stacey Kent.
She is brilliant, kind, elegant, ...
her voice is perfect and the orchestra followed her with supreme ability as if they was playing togheter for years.
Hoping to go to another one very soon.
quim-conque
