Expert Jazz Vocalist

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: I worked on an original song called 'Paris in Bloom', which the composer had written years before and had recorded as a very rough and not very satisfying demo. I rearranged the song for a quartet, recorded and produced it and was able to give him the song he'd had in his head for years!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on the vocals for a songwriter's writing reel, a parody of 'Love and Marriage' and a big band song I've composed and arranged to a client's original lyrics.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: I have worked with Kara Lily Hayworth and Bindy Baker extensively and would recommend either of them in a heartbeat.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I love the warmth of analogue, and the flexibility of digital, so in an ideal world I'd record with vintage equipment into an analogue desk and mix the whole thing in a digital workstation!

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: My promise is that I will give every inch of myself to ensure that the project succeeds and that my contribution is something to be proud of.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love recording original songs! There's something about singing a song that's never been sung by anyone else which is amazing!

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: Customers naturally want to know how long it will take to deliver a vocal. I answer that it can take up to 7 days depending on my in tray that week, but normally I can deliver within a few days!

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: I think the biggest misconception is that we just rock up, sing for 5 minutes and that's it. Every session musician studies the song and lyrics beforehand, records multiple takes until they are satisfied with their sound and then comps a track together to make sure the product they deliver is the best!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I ask if they have any particular requirements, if there's anyone's style they particularly like and if they can hear anything specific when they think about the song!

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Never be afraid to give me lots of information about a song...the more information the better! The more I know the writer, the better I'll be able to perform their work!

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: I'd take my MacBook, my SM7, a piano, record player and Sinatra at the Sands!

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I've been working as a recording artist for more than 10 years, and a live singer for longer than that!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I think my style is smooth, warm and full of heart.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: I'd like to work with Kurt Elling, another male jazz singer. He is a wonderful student of the genre and has a technical ability thats second to none!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: As a singer, there's nothing more useful than an accurate guide vocal. Whether it's a singer or an instrument, it saves a lot of time and ensures accuracy.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I interpret songs not only as a singer, but as an actor. I trained for 3 years at the Oxford School of Drama and so look at songs from both the musical and lyrical sense. I understand the story of the song and so am able to tell it more truthfully.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring my own experience, taste and knowledge of the genre. I've spent years studying the greats and the knowledge I've gained is there in every song I've ever recorded. From Sinatra's phrasing and vowel sounds to Mel Tormé's technical virtuosity, it turns a good vocal into a great one. I bring a great understanding of what the song is trying to achieve. In every bit of work I do, I look for the story first and everything then comes organically from that. The phrasing becomes much more impactful because it all has a meaning and a purpose

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: A client will get in touch with a track which has a rough vocal on it and we discuss specifically what they are looking for from the vocal line. I record a first vocal pass and get as close as I can to what the client wants. Very often, the first pass is just what they need, but if they need a couple of small tweaks or changes, I deliver a second pass with those in place!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I record using a Shure SM7b Microphone, which I love for its warmth, clarity and clean tone. My audio interface is a Focusrite 2i4 interface and my preferred DAW is Logic Pro X.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Sinatra is the king, of course. He had the ability to take a collection of words and notes and turn it into a story that resonated with everyone. The rest of us just try to get close to what he did!

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: The majority of my work is singing lead vocals on original songs.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: I usually work on jazz projects, particularly classic jazz such as swing and big band music.