Home » Member Page

Anna Louise Andersson

Jazz and Soul artist Anna Louise is now returning to her native country Sweden to work on material for a new recording and take a brake from “The Big Apple”.

About Me

After nearly 6 years in the US, (more than 3 of those spent in New York) Jazz and Soul artist Anna Louise is now returning to her native country Sweden to work on material for a new recording and take a brake from “The Big Apple”. The day before her departure she was invited to perform live at the “Ginger New York” TV show at MNN studios in Manhattan, in front of an audience of approx. 800’000 viewers. Because of an earlier appearance at the “Sissy Show” in August, Anna Louise was invited back to MNN by executive producer and host Ginger Broderick who said about the singer: “The New York Jazz scene will miss this astral talent while she is away but when Anna Louise returns we will be there to celebrate the return of her serious influence on the New York Jazz scene along with the multitudes of her fan base.” A few days before that, Anna also did her last show with trombone legend Jack Jeffers and The New York Classics, the 16-piece Big Band she had performed with numerous times at the Zinc Bar in Manhattan. Anna Louise met Mr. Jeffers through Charles Tolliver who led the New School Big Band where Anna was the singer. After hearing her full-bodied voice, Jeffers invited Anna Louise to join his band. It was at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in Manhattan Anna Louise earned her degree Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jazz Vocal Performance in January of 2011. There she had the opportunity to study for and perform with fantastic musicians and legends such as Charles Tolliver, Jimmy Owens, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, Junior Mance, Janet Lawson and Jane Ira Bloom, just to name a few. In school there was also an opportunity to study with people from all over the world, all there to pursue their love for music. During her time in school Anna Louise received a number of scholarships for her musical skills and vocal abilities, among those the Sandrew scholarship for young artists with great potential. Before getting accepted to the New School Anna Louise attended the Applied Music Program at Santa Monica College in California where she studied Classical music as well as Musical Theatre and jazz. Her vocal coach Karen Benjamin described her as “One of the most gifted vocalists I have had the pleasure of working with.” Since childhood Anna Louise had an interest in writing lyrics and poetry. At the New School her musical skills were developed and her poetic lyrics were given melody and rhythm. This resulted in a colorful blend of Soul, Jazz and R&B with occasional influences by Afro Cuban and African rhythms and always with a touch of her native country Sweden. One of her compositions “Kiss of Bliss” written about the Swedish summer was arranged by Jack Jeffers and performed by The New York Classics and Anna Louise on several occasions. Having worked as a soloist/band leader/studio musician/back vocalist/music event coordinator/vocal coach and host for a fashion show during New York Fashion Week gives Anna Louise work and life experiences exceeding many of her peers. “Having worked with some of the best and world famous musicians in New York has given me knowledge I couldn’t have gained anywhere else” Anna says. With compositions such as “There’s a Tiger Loose in Cape Town” and N.Y.C this vibrant singer has performed, in and around New York with her own group and has received great critic from audiences as well as well known artists. “Her voice is strong, full and warm and really fills the room” Jazz musician Cassandra Wilson once stated. Tribeca Rooftop, Smoke, The Shrine, Zinc Bar, The Groove and the Bitter End are a few of the Manhattan venues where Anna Louise has stunned audiences with her voice. About plans for the near future Anna says: “My goal is now to reach out to the audience in Sweden and present myself and my music to them, I’m also looking forward to produce new music, record and collaborate with friends in Europe and experience what the music scene here has to offer”

My Jazz Story

I love jazz because it allows me to be what ever I am at the moment I'm expressing it... I was first exposed to jazz when I was born...my father being a huge jazz fan I met Richie Havens and Jimmy scott and Flora Purim at Ronnie Scotts in London in my late teens, That's where I figured out I wanted to do this full time.. The best show I ever attended was TOTO or Aretha Franklin, I can't decide between them The first jazz record I bought was,... I don't know I used to borrow from the library. My advice to new listeners...stick with it! once you understand what the hell it is jazz musicians do you'll love it!