Jazz Articles about Tina May

Tina May: A Wing and a Prayer

by Bev Stapleton
July 26, 2006

Even though she has over ten discs to her name, Tina May is still little known in the wider jazz world. A regular performer in clubs and arts centres in Britain and Europe, she has never had the major label backing that seems to be required to catapult a jazz singer into the public eye.

For those who have heard her, this is something of a blessing. Recording mainly on the small 33 Records label has allowed her to develop ...

Tina May: Live in Paris

by Dave Nathan
December 1, 2000

Tina May's 9th album for Britain's 33Jazz label is a live performance from one of Paris' most coveted jazz venues, the Jazz Club Lionel Hampton. It's also deja vu for May. She used to perform there with two of her playing partners, Patrick Villanueva and Pascal Gaubert , while a student in the City of Light in the 1980's. It was during those days that May began working as a chanteuse as she laid the foundations for what has become ...

Tina May and Tony Coe: N'oublie jamais (Jazz Piquant)

by Dave Nathan
September 1, 2000

Tina May continues her exploration of out of the ordinary, but tasteful, selections from the world's songbook in her latest album for the British 33Jazz label. This time around she has corralled preeminent reedman Tony Coe as well as other outstanding musicians, to share the spotlight. May's albums are always full of heavenly surprises, and this album continues that pleasant practice.In previous outings, she usually sang a tune or two in French. Here, with a single exception, the ...

Tina May Trio: One Fine Day

by Dave Nathan
July 1, 2000

On the jazz scene for more than 15 years, Tina May is one of UK's premiere jazz vocal virtuosos. In a country which can boast of important contributors to the art of jazz vocalizing, this is not faint praise. Along with Carol Kidd, Claire Martin, Annie Ross and British diva, Norma Winstone, among others, May has become a major mainstay of contemporary jazz singing. Having the reputation of “doing it her way," May looks to a wide variety of sources ...