Heather Simmons - Jazz Chanteuse
As I am not yet signed with Sony or touring the world as a hugely famous jazz artist. I guess most of you will know that I am writing my own biography. It is not easy to write about oneself in a flattering way, it is much more fun to be self-deprecating, but then, of course, no one comes to see you sing!!! So I shall aim for somewhere in the middle. I have an endless passion for the music of the 1920's to 40's. Should you come to see me sing, that will be the first thing that strikes you, how much I love my music and the musicians I work with. My main influences are, amongst others, Billie Holiday, Connie Boswell, Bessie Smith, Annette Hanshaw, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. You can hear these singers' inflections my singing because I spend hours and hours with my ear next to the speaker trying to sound like them!! I then sing the song in my own way and hope that I create a tone and mood that is unique to me. Thankfully my hard work is starting to pay off as Humphrey Lyttelton kindly put it: "It was with a frisson of pleasure that I dipped into a cd by Heather Simmons and heard a voice with a refreshing and original tang."
The CD to which Humphrey was referring is I'm Old Fashioned, my newly released album. I am very happy with it, the musicianship from the guys is outstanding and I feel I have captured some musical moments of a bygone era and brought it to those of us who weren't fortunate enough to hear it the first time around. So why not go out and buy the original records? Do, please!! They are wonderful, however they sing phrases and lyrics that are humorous and meaningful to the artists at that time. I am trying to write and sing reflecting on the times we live in now, but calling on a rich history of melodies, harmonies and beautiful words. I feel privileged to sing the songs written by the wonderful songwriters of yesteryear and excited to air my own material, especially when it is brought to life by the guys in the band.
I sing anywhere people pay me (or even where they don't pay me!) So you will find me performing in jazz clubs, restaurants, hotels, festivals and casinos. Most recently I have been asked to guest with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, Harry Strutters Band, John Sutton's London's Hot Rhythm Boys and with Humphrey Lyttelton's band. All of which were a tremendous honour that I hope to repeat in the near future. Humphrey was kind enough to play my album on his Radio 2 show and gave me a very encouraging review. As did Desmond Carrington and Campbell Burnap. Thanks guys.
BBC Essex Radio's presenter Liz Mullen interviewed me as her guest on Everything Stops For Tea. We chatted about my career so far and played a couple of tracks from the album. I had a terrific response from that show, even my old junior school teacher got in touch and bought an album.
Also featured on I'm Old Fashioned are my dear friends Claire Furley and Debbie Bines who make up the Swinging Belles. We are a vocal harmony group paying tribute to the Boswell Sisters and the Andrews Sisters. In addition we sing original arrangements of standards and arrangements of our own tunes. Our time is spent under the guidance of our long suffering musical director and Agony Uncle, David Cooke. We have had some very exciting gigs, such as supporting Woody Allen's New Orleans Band at the Hammersmith Apollo. If you would like to read more about us please check out our new website at: Swinging Belles ».
So how did I get to where I am now? Well, I packed in my day job in London, booked a flight to New York and moved out there for a year. I loved singing jazz but had very little experience. New York changed that. I sang every day and every night. I practiced, I wrote, I listened and I performed. I was incredibly fortunate to meet Eddy Davis who is Woody Allen's musical director. We wrote together and he invited me to sing with his group every week at the Cajun Restaurant. I sang in many different venues in the States and was introduced to brilliant musicians who gave me their time and support. I have Conal Fowkes to thank for this, he is a very special friend to me and he is also one of the most talented musicians I know.
One of my favourite experiences as a jazz vocalist was singing on the QE2 with the Paul Bacon Band who were headlining on a jazz cruise to Bermuda. Another very special moment was performing at Preservation Hall in New Orleans. However, every gig I do, whether it is a wedding, party or jazz club, I enjoy myself. I pride myself on being very professional, organised, and able to converse well with everyone. The band always dress appropriately, our image and stage presence is just as important to us as the music being first class.
I do also play a little tenor sax, ukulele, and double bass for fun, which occasionally I bring to a gig to add a bit of variety.
I have had the privilege to work with the following musicians in my career, some on a regular basis and some as a guest artist. I am sure if you contacted any of them they would be kind enough to give me a recommendation:
Ted Beament (piano) Nick Dawson (piano/clarinet/vocals), Roger Curphey (bass), Marc Cecil (drums) Mike Piggott (violin), Eddy Davis (banjo/composer), Michael Hashim (sax), Mark Taylor (drums), Conal Fowkes (piano/bass), Vince Giodiano (bass), Orange Kellin (clarinet), Jon-Erik Kelso (trumpet), Matt Munisteri (guitar), Scott Robinson (sax), Debbie Kennedy (bass), Keith Nichols (piano), Digby Fairweather (trumpet), Tim Huskisson (piano/clarinet), 78 RPM, Paul Higgs (piano/trumpet), Michael Pagett (drums), Jerome Davies (bass), Charlie Round-Turner (piano/vocals), Roger Graham (bass), Frank Weatherly (sax), Roger O'Dell (drums), Graham Collicott (drums), John Sutton (drums), Gary Plumley (sax), Tony Sandman (guitar), Rob James (guitar), The Select Syncopaters, Sam Edwards (piano), Dee Hunter (piano/vocals), The London Hot Rhythm Boys, Al Vosper (guitar/vocal), The Pasadena Roof Orchestra, Harry Strutters Band, Maurice Dennis (banjo), Tom 'Spats' Langham (bango/guitar) Sandra Lambert (piano), Richard Pite (drums/bass), Jeff Steer (bass), David Swift (bass), Murray Salmon (bass), Martin Wheatley (guitar), Pete Long (clarinet), Ben Cummings (trumpet).