Review - Eva Abraham

I've been invited by Sebastian Scotney of the LondonJazz blog to add to his collection of reviewers. I'm focussing on singers, as Sebastian is interested to hear my point of view from a singer's perspective. Last week, I went to see Eva Abraham at the Jazz Cafe. My review can be read here: http://londonjazz.blogspot.com/2009/09/review-eva-abraham.html

Cool Bandzoogle website of the day

Yesterday my website - www.sarahellenhughes.co.uk - was voted 'Cool Bandzoogle Website of the Day' (bandzoogle is the company that owns the website program).

I've given it a make-over so it's more accessible and interesting. I've got a guestbook so if you wish to comment on this then please do!

Singing Pop - Undermining Jazz?

I'm just recovering from a pop gig, although from where the band was standing it was more funk. As a jazz singer I guess I used to be opposed to singing in the pop style - as doesn't that 'undermine' one's integrity as a jazz artisit? But I've got used to it, in terms of being expected to be able to sing pop when requested - as a professional singer I have learnt that I need to be versatile enough to translate my voice into a variety of styles without the listener thinking: "Isn't she a jazz singer trying to sing pop?"

I've also learnt that the more I sing it, the better I get at it, and the more I enjoy it. A happy circle!

As well as that, the better the musicians around you, the more I am likely to elaborate upon the original melody or words, giving it the 'Sarah Ellen Hughes' treatment! That's always enjoyable, and that was certainly the case last night.

I've grown to accept that the chord sequences aren't particularly daring or interesting in some pop tunes (although Just the two of us is always a surprising treat) - and I guess the rest of the band think the same too - but the delight being able to groove along to a bit of Stevie Wonder or Abba and not quite knowing where it's going is certainly worth a break from my jazz repertoire.

So is singing pop undermining jazz? - I certainly don't think so, and neither, it seemed, did the audience!

SEH - Sunday 13th September - 2pm - still in pyjamas!