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“Souter's crystalline contralto and impeccable phrasing are mighty arrows in her quiver, but it is her ability to become one with a song, finding its intrinsic core and allowing its sentiments to grow organically, that enables her to score successive bull's eyes....” Christopher Loudon, JazzTimes
“... compelling and utterly original… skip-proof.” Paul Quinn, Jazzwise (UK)
"...centred by the sheer skill and vocal artistry with which she imbues everything she sings ... At once unassumingly virtuosic and uncontrivedly emotional, the Souter voice is simply one of the most attractive sounds in contemporary vocal jazz." Chris Parker, www.vortexjazz.co.uk
"...perhaps the best jazz vocalist on the scene today. To say that Tessa Souter sings jazz is to dramatically understate her performance. She wraps her voice around each note, infuses the lyrics with emotion, and, in the process, transforms even well known classics into something different and quite wonderful" Charlene Gianetti, WomanAroundTown.com LIVE REVIEW 55 Bar, New York
"But what really draws you in is the warmth is her performance ... And she writes intense and evocative lyrics, putting words to the feelings we all share but cannot necessarily articulate." Jeanie Barton, LondonJazzBlogspot.com LIVE REVIEW Pizza Express, Dean Street, London
“Majestic" Cyrillic review]. Where, Minsk
"One of the rapidly rising stars of vocal jazz." Andrea Canter, JazzPolice.com
"On the jazz vocal fast track." Minneapolis Star Tribune
"Souter stands out in a large field of contemporary jazz vocalists because, unlike most of them, she thinks before she sings and never compromises the music with irrelevancies. She thinks not only of the music itself, to which she brings ample talent and sophistication, but also almost philosophically about what she wants to say. She uses dynamics and inflections to convey a deeper sense of meaning that the songs imply, and she does it with great attention to details that most singers overlook. This contemplative aspect, along with her unique style, precise articulation and her well-trained, stunning voice, make Souter a vocalist to reckon with and one whose development should be followed with great interest." Victor L. Schermer, AllAboutJazz-New York
“One of the few exceptional standouts in the crowded field of female jazz singers … a gripping display of her ability to do it all … the work of an artist with the talent and the imagination to match her compelling musical visions.” Don Heckman, International Review of Music
"With her rich contralto and crystal-clear diction ... Souter knows how to get inside a song ... a deeply satisfying album of jazz and jazz-inflected music that should appeal to a wide audience." Joel Roberts, AllAboutJazz-New York
“Striking, soulful, enchanting -- vocalist Tessa Souter's Obsession is likely to rank high on "best of" lists at year's end. Though the album brims with performances that reveal Souter's jazz sensibilities, listeners needn't have much interest in the genre to fall under her spell.” Mike Joyce, Washington Post
"The elegant British-Caribbean jazz vocalist with incomparable style serenades [Joe's] Pub." NEW YEAR WEEKEND'S MUST-SEE SHOW IN TIME OUT NY
"Jazz lovers in New York are blessed with many places to enjoy wonderful music in beautiful settings. Every now and then, however, someone comes along who is refreshingly different and raises the bar for every other singer. Tessa Souter is that performer....." Woman Around Town, LIVE REVIEW of Joe's Pub
"The chant-like Usha’s Wedding which she sang with a spiritual demeanor that evoked scenes of a sacred Native American ceremony, reaffirmed her affinity to the rhythms and music that she channels through her Caribbean roots. A legacy that embraces a myriad of ethnic influences." Ralph A Miriello Notes on Jazz, LIVE REVIEW of Joe's Pub
“The best thing is that Souter sounds different…. Expressive … full of passion … while Love Theme from Spartacus – a brief and daring duet with guitarist Jason Ennis – reminds me that there really is a love song buried in there.” Karl Stark, Philadelphia Inquirer
“…employs her voice as a musical instrument and as the member of an ensemble … brings this approach to a collection of jazz tunes by the likes of Milton Nascimento, Kenny Barron and Freddie Hubbard, along with jazz versions of rock classics including Nick Drake’s Riverman, Cream’s White Room and the Beatles’ Eleanor Rigby, and in so doing creates a kind of modern Great Anglo-American songbook.” Berkshire Living Magazine
“A truly beautiful voice and what she does with it really serves great lyrics, using the beauty of her voice to unearth and get to the core of great songs.” Dermot Hussey, Sirius XM Radio
“To say that Souter enchanted the audience would be an understatement. …transfixed by Souter's gorgeous voice and wonderful personality. … Souter's own ‘You Don't Have To Believe,’ with its Middle Eastern feel, its philosophical lyrics, and its chant-like vocal, drew perhaps the largest ovation of the concert. … a great performance.” Ron Netsky, Rochester City Paper LIVE REVIEW of Rochester International Jazz Festival [2009]
“There is no room for debate about her handling of jazz material. Her subtle yet sizzling take of Mongo Santamaria's "Afro Blue" interweaves the bass line of Wayne Shorter's "Footprints"… while Souter shimmers in her performance of Kenny Barron's engaging "Crystal Rain" ("Sunshower") … The vocalist also makes a major impression as a composer/lyricist… Well-known to jazz aficionados in New York City for almost a decade prior to the 2009 release of this CD, the free-spirited Obsession should introduce her to many new fans worldwide.” Ken Dryden, All Music Guide [Obsession]
"Powerful, skilful and witty." Guardian Guide PICK OF THE WEEK JAZZ
“... a complete musician ... remarkable and very moving.” Mark Murphy
“An important musician. Her brilliant lyrics and songs make her stand out from the pack so very much. And she creates a mood and an atmosphere when she takes the stage.” Howard Johnson
”… exciting, sensual, and satisfying … really exemplary emotion and execution. One can easily get lost in Souter's rich alto vocals … And, though one may have heard these songs many times before in their original versions or on remakes, here they seem fresh.” Richard Kamin, Hartford Courant
"Obsession… has so many indelible moments … …fearless song choices … a very intimate sound, where Souter’s clear contralto and its marvelous tone rings through in all its glory.” Jay N. Miller, Patriot Ledger
“… a beguiling, atmospheric singer with a bell-clear alto voice who finds intriguing ways to instill jazz sensibilities into pop, Brazilian and other material.” Zan Stewart, Newark Star Ledger
“Her diction is flawless, making every syllable count. It's an almost actor way of singing, so much so that I wrongly supposed that Souter had dramatic experience.” John Chacona, Erie Times Click here for full article
"My first reaction to hearing the opening track on Tessa Souter's new CD Obsession is "wow." The singer has a rich contralto and uses it to great dramatic and musical effect. She starts with the familiar ‘Eleanor Rigby’ in a completely fresh arrangement that she created … Her rendition ranks up there with the Beatles' original and the classic one by Ray Charles.” Barry Bassis, Town and Village
“Judging from the ovations she received [on] Saturday night, the entire audience felt the same way … That kind of humor, combined with a gorgeous voice and eclectic repertoire, made Souter a festival favorite [in 2007].” Ron Netsky, Rochester City Paper LIVE REVIEW of Rochester International Jazz Festival
“… a formidable singer … gorgeous, natural vocals … spacious, lovely performance … at her most stunning when she tackles songs that one doesn't normally hear in a jazz setting. Tessa Souter will win you over, as well, if you give her the opportunity.” Ken Dryden, All Music Guide [Nights of Key Largo]
"There are traces of Billie Holiday and Carmen McRae in her phrasing, and Julie London and Peggy Lee in her delicate breathing, which harbors a touch of sorrow….The very successful Japanese debut [Nights of Key Largo] of an outstanding singer with a captivating voice.” Keiichi Baba, Swing Journal [Japanese] GOLD DISC AWARD
"Crystalline voice" Alberga, Musica Jazz magazine, Italy [Italian]
"Tessa Souter excels at creating mood ... easy ... inviting and utterly indolent ... the vibe is so warm you can still feel the rays on the sand." [Nights of Key Largo] Suzanne Lorge, AllAboutJazz - New York
CD DISCOVERY OF THE WEEK “A gorgeous vibrato and a timbre that's warm and sweet. And she's one of the few vocalists around today who knows how to distill a standard, pop tune or rock ballad into a tasteful jazz rendition." Marc Myers, Jazzwax.com
“She makes the song her own with subtle shifts of dynamics, timing, sonority and phrasing. That makes her a true artist. And as an artist, she is an impressionist and a minimalist, giving the music a modern feel. “ Victor L Schermer, AllAboutJazz-Philadelphia
“A Briton in New York” The Jazz Rag Magazine (UK)
'Unique ... elegant ... a voice that is both strong and sensitive at the same time.' Russell Davies, BBC Radio 2
“When Tessa Souter walks into the spotlight at London’s Ronnie Scott’s and begins to perform, she does so with such confidence, elegance and utter professionalism that it is impossible to believe she was ever anything but the self assured singer she is today. Nothing about her appearance or her performance in the world-famous jazz venue gives the enraptured audience any indication of the struggle she has had to achieve her dream.” You Magazine, Mail on Sunday Click here for full article
“Magnificent! I couldn’t stop playing [Listen Love] over and over again. She blew me away.” Jon Lucien
“Critics have been gushing about her live performances and her self-produced debut, Listen Love.” Bill Beuttler, Boston Globe
“A talented … broadly imaginative singer.” New York Times
“Tessa is a unique voice in jazz” Joe La Barbera
“Souter, whose musical sophistication gives her a significant advantage in the competitive clamor surrounding the current world of ambitious female jazz artists, also has the rare quality of authenticity ... she seems more focused on exploring the limitless creativity of the art than simply having another go at the Great American Songbook.” Don Heckman, Los Angeles Times LIVE REVIEW
“On her amazing album Listen Love, she delivers powerful versions of nonstandards ... in a crystal-clear voice with diamond-cut phrasing and a slight tinge of melancholy. She’s a gem.” Michael Harrington, Philadelphia Inquirer
“... crystalline clarity ... Her voice is sinuous and elastic, stretching and caressing a melody with an actress' sense of the emotional meaning of each lyric.’” Shaun Brady, Philadelphia City Paper
“A special talent.” Gigi Razete, La Repubblica
“Souter's ... rich, dark voice combines with her ability to see the shape of a tune and so the words seem to come from her soul.” Donald Elfman, AllAboutJazz-New York
“She makes the song her own with subtle shifts of dynamics, timing, sonority and phrasing. That makes her a true artist. And as an artist, she is an impressionist and a minimalist, giving the music a modern feel. “ Victor L Schermer, AllAboutJazz-Philadelphia
“A real treasure amongst an avalanche of women singers today.” Bob Craig, “Voices in Jazz”, WRTI Radio, Philadelphia
“An Afro-British-Caribbean stylist who proves that the jazz singer’s repertoire is no longer limited to the Great American Songbook. Direct and Soulful. Plus she’s the only singer who can make sense of Pharoah Sanders, ‘The Creator Has a Master Plan.’” Will Friedwald, Village Voice
“At the top of my list of great talent. There aren’t many, but Tessa is a natural born singer. She really moves me.” Sheila Jordan
”Tessa Souter brings new life to time-honored standards while also mining a creative spark from the unlikeliest quarters.” Time Out New York
“The debut [Listen Love] of an important new jazz singer … she sings with the authority and passion that usually comes from long experience.” WPKN-FM Radio
“One of these days Tessa Souter should sing ‘Out of Nowhere’ because that’s where she came from. Now that she’s arrived, everyone has the same assessment: ‘wow!’” Ron Netsky, Rochester Festival Program
"The phrasing is absolutely serpentine as it slithers around the melodic lines of a song.” Kirk Silsbee, Los Angeles City Beat
“Ms. Souter dazzles and stuns with her vocal expertise on a potpourri of classics and a few that she adds her own lyrics to. It’s a jam packed world out in jazz vocal land but Ms. Souter lends an innate musicality and tastefulness that separates her from the herd … Caravan is done with a gorgeously referenced Middle Eastern feel that sounds more right than the original. Pharoah Sander’s The Creator Has A Master Plan is even better as performed by Ms. Souter than Leon Thomas’s version as she makes the music and lyrics come together with added depth to the spiritual aspects of the piece. An outstanding new release.” WNTI-FM Radio
“Soulful. You’ll be hearing more from this lady.” Brandt Reiter, Los Angeles Weekly
“… rich and ravishing … so assured, so comfortable, so in command … you put on and immediately think, "wow!" and know you can settle back and be bathed in a simply beautiful voice possessed by someone who has learned how to use it … - she composes, too.” Rob Lester, Talkinbroadway.com
“Her rendition of Pharoah Sanders's 'The Creator Has a Master Plan' proves that it's possible to be spiritual and sensual at the same time.” Will Friedwald, New York Sun
Jazz Life magazine, Japan
“Not many vocalists can sing Jimmy Rowles’ The Peacocks with the beauty and effortless grace of Tessa Souter.” Scott Yannow, LA Jazz Scene
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philadelphia inquirer time out new york time out London Los Angeles City Beat New York Sun village voice mail on Sunday daily mail you magazine Don Heckman Bill Beuttler Shaun Brady Will Friedwald Donald Elf man Kirk Silsbee philadelphia city paper mark murphy marc myers jazzwax.com la jazz scene scott yannow swing journal
