Larsson represents a new class of vocalists who are pushing the limits of jazz vocals to the edge of post bop conventional wisdom into a realm not otherwise traveled.
Hailing from Sweden, with her vocal & composition skills further honed in Finland, Emma Larsson released two critically acclaimed recordings in Europe before moving to New York in 2011. For her debut US release, Emma presents a set of seven original songs along with evocative arrangements of the classic "Here's to Life," and Sade's " No Ordinary Love." Along with veteran NY drummer, Billy Drummond, bassist Eric Revis, pianist Shedrick Mitchell and saxophonist Kenneth Whalum III, Larsson harkens the spirit of Betty Carter in her approach to time and tempos, adventurous song forms and her embrace of soaring melodies.
1. Many Moons Ago 5:51
2. Before The Rain Comes 6:10
3. Watch My Garden Grow 4:54
4. Here's To Life 5:11
5. In A Quandary 5:35
6. Consolation 4:16
7. I Sing To The Sky (When My Soul Cries) 6:02
8. No Ordinary Love 5:20
9. I Stay Awake 4:38
Emma Larsson - vocals
Shedrick Mitchell - piano
Eric Revis - bass
Billy Drummond - drums
Kenneth Whalum III - saxophone
Produced by Emma Larsson
Recorded by Aaron Nevezie at The Bunker Studio, Brooklyn NY
Jan 11-12, 2014
Mixed & mastered by Mike Marciano at Systems Two, Brooklyn, NY
Photography by Deneka Peniston
Cover design & layout by John Bishop
All About Jazz (C. Michael Bailey)
New York vocalist Emma Larsson made a splash with her 2010 sophomore effort Let It Go (Imogena). She has populated her recordings with predominantly well-envisioned original compositions, seasoning the album sequence with standards specifically chosen to meld with her unique sound. Her repertoire choice is eclectic without being eccentric.
On h ...
Midwest Record (Chris Spector)
She might have moved from Sweden to New York just a handful of years ago but she transplanted her Euro winning ways to the big apple in fine form and serves up the kind of date that serves as an invitation to see her as many nights as possible in whatever venue she's bringing her jazz vocal chops to. The kind of stuff that was made to pack jazz ro ...
Gina Loves Jazz (Berlin) (Matthias Kirsch)
Here's a singer from Sweden who released two albums in Europe before she left the continent and settled in New York in 2011. "Sing To The Sky" is Emma Larsson‘s first record in the US and features seven originals plus two covers. Her voice is wonderfully pure and her intonation and timing just perfect. But it is also her ability to write innovati ...
Jazz Weekly (George W. Harris)
One of the most denigrated categories is "jazz female vocalists." Most either try to sound like a quirky indie like Norah Jones, or try to jump on the Diana Krall bandwagon by ONCE AGAIN revisiting the Great American Songbook. Well, if you want something else, here is an artist that has the pulse of jazz, but delivered in fresh voice. What a joy!
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JazzTimes (Christopher Loudon)
Listening to Emma Larsson, it's hard not to be reminded of the young Nancy Wilson. The Swedish-born, New York-based singer, now three albums into what promises to be an impressive career, mirrors Wilson's silken delivery and her sly interpretative sass. Yet beneath that elegant surface is a tiger ready to spring, a jazz-savvy adventuress worthy o ...