Zoe Schwarz

Jun3 2011 Rob and Zoe have been writing, recording and playing together for eight years and in this time they have honed in on what suits them best. It has become very apparent from audience responses, that what sets them apart is their lean towards the bluesy side of jazz. Zoe’s expressive singing and Rob’s distinct and natural leaning towards blues inflections.

Rob says about the ZOE SCHWARZ BLUE COMMOTION project, “I think there is a big vacancy in the jazz world for the bluesy side of jazz we play, it appeals to a much wider audience, but retains all the jazz qualities that we love. We’ll be playing material by the likes of Ray Charles, Nina Simone, those sultry ‘Billie Holiday ballads’ Zoe is making such a great name for, and an occasional blues by greats such as Koko Taylor and Willie Dixon, and of course one or two of our own”.

Jun3 2011 Rob and Zoe have been writing, recording and playing together for eight years and in this time they have honed in on what suits them best. It has become very apparent from audience responses, that what sets them apart is their lean towards the bluesy side of jazz. Zoe’s expressive singing and Rob’s distinct and natural leaning towards blues inflections.

Rob says about the ZOE SCHWARZ BLUE COMMOTION project, “I think there is a big vacancy in the jazz world for the bluesy side of jazz we play, it appeals to a much wider audience, but retains all the jazz qualities that we love. We’ll be playing material by the likes of Ray Charles, Nina Simone, those sultry ‘Billie Holiday ballads’ Zoe is making such a great name for, and an occasional blues by greats such as Koko Taylor and Willie Dixon, and of course one or two of our own”.

Zoë and Rob’s musical partnership has been described as “one of the most engagingly natural partnerships in jazz, Zoë’s unaffected vocal style particularly well suited to the blues, and Rob's flawless guitar skills; their gigs are immediately accessible, enjoyable affairs.” �” Chris Parker, Vortex.

BBC Radio 3 Geoffrey Smith 28th May 2011 �” “Making her name on the UK Jazz scene….. a heart felt performance of Billie Holiday’s ‘Don’t Explain’.”

“The bluesy vocals of Zoë Schwarz have won a significant following.” - The Independent on Sunday, Roger Trapp

BBC Radio 2 Russell Davies 2010 “We were happy to feature Zoe Schwarz for she’s a real talent, as is her guitar-playing partner Rob Koral, Zoe’s sure, strong voice is under-pinned by some really pretty guitar.” Recommended.

“Rob Koral is superb his is a talent of world class proportions.” - Jazz Journal Intl, Bruce Crowther

‘The bluesy vocals of Zoe Schwarz are seriously special’ - Jeremy Miles, Bournemouth Echo 2010

=================================================================================

ZOE SCHWARZ was classically trained and a graduate in the ‘Performing Arts’ from Middlesex University. Despite Zoë’s classical upbringing and studies, it soon became clear that her forte was far more suited to jazz, expressive ballads and blues. It was only three years after her first jazz gig that Zoë made her debut at Ronnie Scott’s playing a week opposite Monty Alexander. She has also enjoyed success at Pizza Express-Dean street, Stables-Wavendon, Vortex, 606, Lighthouse-Poole to name a few. As well as many other theatre and club dates Zoë has had a full programme of festivals stretching from Chichester to Swaledale, Swanage to Lichfield, from Mumbles to Petworth and Bude, to Bury St. Edmunds, to the Isle of Wight.

ROB KORAL comes from a ‘self-taught’, more bluesy background; but subsequently made his name on the British jazz scene, performing and recording with the likes of Malcolm Creese, Robin Aspland, Gareth Williams, Roy Babbington, Lawrence Cottle, Django Bates and Bill Bruford. Rob moved to London early in his career and released several well-received albums, appeared on the Old Grey Whistle test and many BBC radio Jazz sessions. Rob has played at all major jazz venues and festivals and recent solo album ‘Grace Notes’ was featured on Radio 3’s Jazz Line Up.

www.zoeschwarz.info www.robkoral.co.uk