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Kaz Simmons
She studied Music at Goldsmiths University and Trinity College of Music and shortly after graduating, recorded her first album, the jazz based, Take Me Home (33 Records).
In 2005 she was a finalist in the international www.jazzconnect.com competition, which featured 147 contestants from all around the world.
She has performed with the likes of Lyn Dobson (Manfred Mann, Dusty Springfield, Nick Drake) and Jamie Cullum, Ife Tolentino and jazz wunderkind Gwilym Simcock is featured on Take Me Home.
In 2007 she formed a record label, Fast Awake and released her second jazz album, Different Smile which showcased her songwriting skills for the first time, as well as her love of Brazilian music.
Her third album Dandelions (Fast Awake, 2011) was a new departure for Kaz. It featured all her own songs, ranging from one of the first she ever wrote, to a song inspired by a trip to Peru. An intimate, autobiographical insight into her world where she fused the Spanish classical guitar music of her youth as well as Brazilian, pop and jazz to create quirky twists and turns. Dandelions garnered favourable press reviews and ample airplay on BBC Radio 2, 3, 6, London and other regional stations, as well as in Australia, Japan and Germany.
And to 2013 and the release of Signs (Fast Awake). Another new direction, with the new inclusion of electric guitar maestro (Martin Kolarides) and swirly organ-master, Will Bartlett. Incorporating influences as diverse as progressive rock and musical theatre, it is a sound that is entirely unique, yet absorbing and accessible.
“I’ve had a real 1970s obsession over the last few years and I think it’s reflected in the album,” explains Kaz. “It’s still very me, but quite a dramatic new direction and I hope a more grown-up sound. You can still hear my jazz roots, but there are psychedelic parts now – early Genesis and Pink Floyd influences and using my friend Martin Kolarides on electric guitar has brought a whole new dimension to the sound.”
Gear
Jose Ramirez 4CWE guitar
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Kaz Simmons: Signs
by Bruce Lindsay
It's album number four from London-based singer and songwriter Kaz Simmons. It's called Signs. It deftly explores the fertile ground that encompasses jazz, folk and the quirkier end of '70s British psych-rock--and it's a joy. Simmons has slimmed down her band for Signs--a small but perfectly formed quartet share the musical honors, compared to the dozen or so players on her third album, Dandelions (Fast Awake, 2011). It hasn't reduced the musical range, however. Keyboard player Will Bartlett ...
read moreKaz Simmons: Dandelions
by Bruce Lindsay
Combining a voice of crystalline purity, a neat lyrical touch, some superb backing musicians and a few lushly romantic arrangements, Kaz Simmons' Dandelions has a gorgeous heart and a few twists and turns that surprise, delight and occasionally mystify by turn. This is Simmons' third album: the second on her own Fast Awake label, following 2007's Different Smile. While she has referred to Dandelions as being less jazz" than her previous recordings, which have featured standards like ...
read moreKaz Simmons Band Tour and New Website
Source:
All About Jazz
Kaz Simmons and her band will be touring the UK with support from Jazz Services Ltd. They will be promoting new album Different Smile', released in 2007 on Fast Awake Records and which has received rave reviews so far. Tour dates: 1 Oct , The Daffodil, Cheltenham 27 Oct, Orange Street Canterbury, Kent 8 Nov, Bar 27 Bridgwater, Somerset 9 Nov, Quay Arts Newport, Isle of Wight 15 Nov, Olivers, Greenwich, London ...
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Kaz Simmons Band at Pizza on the Park, London, Oct 2nd
Source:
All About Jazz
KAZ SIMMONS BAND FEATURING-
Kaz Simmons - vocals + guitar Sam Crockatt - tenor sax Ivo Neame - keys Simon Thorpe - bass Dave Smith - drums
Playing new originals and arrangements with Spanish and Brazilian classical guitar styles and influences of Tom Waits, Rufus and Martha Wainwright and Nina Simone. A new album is being recorded at the end of October, so watch this space!
Absolute clarity of diction, a nice ...
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“She’s a unique sounding singer, she doesn’t sound like anyone else, her songs don’t sound like anyone else” – Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 2
“What was that phrase? “We make our own way”. That’s the way which seems to suit Kaz Simmons, and is bringing her increasing recognition as a highly individual and persuasive songwriter” – Sebastian Scotney, The Telegraph
“The range of colours and moods that the London-based vocalist and guitarist serves up here is quite astonishing” – Peter Quinn, Jazzwise
DANDELIONS:
“A very fine new album” - Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 2
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Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson