Biography Kaz Simmons

Kaz is an increasingly acclaimed, young UK singer, songwriter & guitarist.

Her third album Dandelions was released on May 23rd on her label Fast Awake. Featuring all original songs, it is an intimate, autobiographical insight into her world where she fuses the Spanish classical guitar music of her youth as well as Brazilian, pop and jazz to create quirky twists and turns.

It was produced by Benedic Lamdin (Nostalgia 77) and Riaan Vosloo (Twelves) with additional arrangments by Riaan. The album also features the likes of James Allsopp, Ivo Neame, Sam Crockatt, Dave Smith, Riaan Vosloo, Simon Thorpe, Tim Giles, Oli Langford, Max Baillie, Nozomi Cohen and Lucy Railton.

Her second album Different Smile, is a new departure of originals and arrangements with Spanish and Brazilian classical guitar styles as well as influences from the likes of Rufus and Martha Wainwright, The Divine Comedy, and her background in jazz.

Kaz’s original compositions showcase her conversational, often humorous lyrics coupled with an unaffected delivery and accomplished guitar playing, complemented by the sensitive and uncluttered support of a fine young British band : SAM CROCKATT - tenor sax, IVO NEAME - piano & Fender Rhodes, SIMON THORPE- bass and DAVE SMITH - drums. Ife Tolentino also makes a guest appearance on percussion.

Different Smile also features the Brazilian gems “Estrada do Sol“ and “O Circo Mistico”; a musical setting to British poet Wendy Cope’s “By The Round Pond”; an unusual take on the classic “How Can I Be Sure?” as well as the rarely heard “If You Knew” by Nina Simone, which was originally inspired by a Jeff Buckley recording.

"It's a beautiful record, beautifully performed and recorded" Mark Lockheart

"Simmons brings a graceful charm and insinuating ease that makes the album simply melt in the ear", Chris Parker, www.vortexjazz.co.uk

***Bit of Bio***

Raised in Hove, Sussex, Kaz was a high-achieving graduate from Goldsmiths College & Trinity College of Music, studying during this time with Dominic Ashworth, Anton Browne, Trudy Kerr, Anita Wardell and Nick Weldon.

She has recorded two DVDs for BBC Television and regularly records childrens educational publications for A&C Black Publishers (Bloomsbury).

2005 saw the release of her debut album Take Me Home which featured arrangements of jazz standards and tunes by Tom Waits and Nick Drake. Musicians on the album include Gwilym Simcock, Matt Dungey and regular band Sam Crockatt, Simon Thorpe and Dave Smith.The album is available to buy at Amazon, CDBaby and itunes.

"Absolute clarity of diction, a nice line in scat, an exuberant vocal quality and an inventive arranger" Jazzwise

“Powerfully emotional” Metro

“A commendable achievement…her bright chirpy optimistic approach is very enjoyable” In Tune International

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