Description
The Vermont Arts Exchange (VAE) is pleased to welcome Tessa Souter who the Los Angeles Times calls our, "One of the few exceptional standouts in the crowded field of female jazz singers" as part of its 2016 Basement Music Series lineup. Please join us for this exceptional performer.
Born in England, the daughter of Trinidadian and English parents, award-winning New York-based vocalist, composer and lyricist, Tessa Souter, who cites Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis, Sandy Denny, Leon Thomas, Youn Sun Nah, Jon Lucien, Andy Bey, Milton Nascimento, and mentors Mark Murphy and Sheila Jordan as influences, imbues a mix of jazz and stunning originals with the soul and passion of flamenco, Indian and Middle Eastern music. Voted a Rising Star in the Downbeat Critics Polls two years in a row, Souter's "truly beautiful voice" (Sirius Radio) and penchant for exploring strikingly beautiful music mostly untouched by other singers has set her apart as "one of the finest and most fearless vocalists to have emerged in recent years." (Boston Globe)
Tessa is no stranger to the Basement Music Series as she opened up the very first Basement show in 2004. Executive Director Matthew Perry tells the quick story, "Friends Bob Hemmer along with Robin and Alex Kershaw were sitting listening to live music at VAE's ten year anniversary party in North Bennington, saying how great live music actually is. Robin and Alex said they have a good friend who is a jazz singer in NYC. Bob said he ran sound and light production for concerts in college. I said I like throwing parties and have a big basement and the rest is history."
Joining Tessa will be Freddie Bryant, about whom the great guitarist wrote, "Freddie Bryant is a brilliant young guitarist and composer. He is a versatile musician skilled both in jazz and classical music. Freddie is currently in demand in the New York jazz scene where he works with Ben Riley's Monk Legacy Septet, The Ben Riley Quartet, the Mingus Orchestra and his own group, Kaleidoscope.