Clare Teal's Great British Songbook Tour (OLE)

Clare Teal, one of the country's most popular jazz singers, brings her Great British Songbook tour to The Radlett Centre.

Sunday 2 May, 19.30
The Radlett Centre: 01923 859291

www.clareteal.co.uk

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Clare Teal is not only an incredible singer, but is notable for having been signed to the biggest record deal by any British jazz singer. The Flea was lucky enough to get the chance to talk to Clare about her life and upcoming tour. It was a very pleasurable experience - she exudes passion and natural vivacity, and this comes across in her music and live performances. Don't miss her at the Radlett Centre this May!

Amris Kaur: Hows the Great British Songbook tour going down with audiences?
Clare Teal: Its going very well, were having a really good time, but then, we generally do. Its just great fun - everythings coming really nicely together.

AK: What was it like rehearsing for the tour in the Bulls Head in London, a place thats full of jazz history?
CT: It was great, it was nicely backed - I have a very soft spot for the Bulls Head. It was a real learning curve for me.

AK: I've read your entertaining - and sadly short - blog. Can you see yourself writing a book in the future?
CT: Its funny, I was talking to a friend last night about this. The work I do I never ever dreamt would be possible, and I would say to any aspiring artist, just keep yourself open. With any opportunity, I never say no, I always have a go. I would love to write books, but in order to write books, you need time, and its something that I dont have.

AK: According to one particular source, you started singing seriously when you forgot to take your clarinet to an exam! How did you get from this to where you are now?
CT: That is true! Thats very true. Although Im quite absent-minded, that was just exceptional. Its funny how things turn out for the best. I was very shy as a child and certainly never thought I would have the confidence to sing nobody knew that I sang, I sang in private at home and I sang, not even for my family or anything, nobody knew. So I knew that I could sing but I never thought that Id a) have the confidence and b) be given that opportunity. So having forgotten my clarinet and being put under the extreme pressure of making a composition within a twenty minute timeframe Well, I play a lot of instruments very badly! So my piano was nowhere near strong enough to carry me through. I put together a terrible trio I mean, we literally got together in twenty minutes and because I couldnt play the piano well enough I had to sing, and I got very good grades for doing it. That was a life-changing moment, really.

AK: It's well-known that you grew up listening to a lot of old jazz records you found in the attic - tell me more about your first encounters with Ella Fitzgerald, and big band music?
CT: Well you know, we grew up in the middle of nowhere, there wasnt much outside stimulation, so I spent so much time listening to, and imitating, and learning songs, and reading around the subject - and never for a second thinking it would be of any use at all, it was just an obsession. And I just absolutely loved it. Now I do shows on the radio about stuff that Ive been reading about. Its really weird, and I feel so pleased I did it, because I chose music because I loved it, not because its something I thought I could make money out of later. It was really from the heart that I loved the music.

AK: You also do a radio show on big band music for Radio 2...
CT: Well I suppose, my entry into jazz was through big band music, so I happen to know a bit about it, but the fact is that big bands are an endangered species Theyre very expensive to run, so its vital that we keep them going, like the BBC big band they must always continue. There are a lot of big bands out there, but its a very precarious time for big ensembles. I mean I would love to tour with a big band but it would be so difficult to tour, because of the expense. Ive worked with big bands and orchestras all over the world but I also have my own band which is, at the moment, a quartet, including me. Sometimes Ill take big band scores and reduce them for a trio, its just trying to pack as much as you can into different things.

AK: You seem to have a really loyal, dedicated fan-base how do you manage to interact with your fans so closely?
CT: Well, what weve all tried to do with our show is make is as inviting and welcoming as possible, so that whoever comes to see the show is part of it, do you know what I mean? I always think its like going to a family wedding, everybody kind of knows each other, its that relaxed.

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To experience Clare Teal's unique live show for yourself, book now by ringing the Radlett Centre box office on 01923 859291.

This article was created on Wednesday, 24th March 2010. It was last tinkered with on Tuesday, 17th May 2011.

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