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zoe schwarz

"THE bluesy vocals of Zoe Schwarz are seriously special. Ask anyone who heard her at the weekend" Jeremy Miles

About Me

ZOE SCHWARZ BLUE COMMOTION Rob and Zoe have been writing, recording and playing together for eight years and in this time they have honed in on what suits them best. It has become very apparent from audience responses, that what sets them apart is their lean towards the bluesy side of jazz. Zoe’s expressive singing and Rob’s distinct and natural leaning towards blues inflections.

Rob says about the ZOE SCHWARZ BLUE COMMOTION project, “I think there is a big vacancy in the jazz world for the bluesy side of jazz we play, it appeals to a much wider audience, but retains all the jazz qualities that we love. We’ll be playing material by the likes of Ray Charles, Nina Simone, those sultry ‘Billie Holiday ballads’ Zoe is making such a great name for, and an occasional blues by greats such as Koko Taylor and Willie Dixon, and of course one or two of our own”. SEE 33JAZZ222 FOR NEW CD ZOE SCHWARZ AND ROB KORAL JAZZ AND BLUES Having made a considerable impact these past six years in a crowded market place, vocalist Zoë Schwarz and guitarist Rob Koral are busy playing festivals and concerts the length and breadth of the country; making an impact with audiences and promoters alike either in their duo format or adding a rhythm section and or saxophone and piano. Their recent duo CD CELEBRATION (33jazz201) explores the intimate setting afforded by the delicate rapport of guitar and vocals, with a nod to the tradition set by the inimitable duets of Joe Pass and Ella Fitzgerald. JazzUK – Oct/Nov 2010 ‘3 for the road…. Voice and Guitar’ Zoe Schwarz and Rob Koral by Roger Thomas “There’s a perfect logic to this classic combination yet it’s oddly rare in the jazz world, which helps to explain why this popular duo has a busy gig diary. The fact that they’re pretty damn good at what they do doesn’t hurt, either.” As well as playing standard tunes from the Great American Song Book; you’ll also hear some excursions into the blues field with re-workings of Howling wolf, Nina Simone and Willie Dixon, as well as some individual self-penned material. Zoë and Rob also lead the successful jazz flavoured blues band ‘Rob Koral's Baddest Blues', featuring jazz heavy weights such as Malcolm Creese-bass, Pete Whittaker-Hammond organ and Paul Robinson Drums. Zoë Schwarz was classically trained and a graduate in the ‘Performing Arts’ from Trent Park, Middlesex University. Despite Zoë’s classical upbringing and studies it soon became clear that her forte was far more suited to blues, expressive ballads and jazz. It was only three years after her first jazz gig that Zoë had her first week at Ronnie Scott’s sharing a week with Monty Alexander. She has also enjoyed success at Pizza on the Park, Stables-Wavendon, Vortex, 606 and many theatres and venues in the UK. 2008 also included a full programme of festivals the length and breadth of the country; from Swanage to Swaledale, Carswell to Litchfield, from Wales to London, to supporting Pat Metheny at the Lighthouse.

Zoë and Rob’s musical partnership has been described as “one of the most engagingly natural partnerships in jazz, Zoë’s unaffected vocal style particularly well suited to the blues, and Rob's flawless guitar skills; their gigs are immediately accessible, enjoyable affairs.” – Chris Parker, VORTEX

Coming from different musical beginnings seems to work to their advantage, creating a distinct chemistry combining musical sensitivity and sensibility. This has manifested itself in their careful choice of standard tunes and their ability to write strong and concise original compositions. “The real meat of this recording is to be found in the nine originals. The two Billie Holiday-inspired tunes ‘Let’s Explain’ and ‘Give Him Up Girl’ both pack powerful emotional punches (who says no one’s writing good lyrics these days) ……” by Peter Quinn Jazzwise ‘Devil or Dove’ BOURNEMOUTH DAILY ECHO – Monday 20th September 2010 Zoe Schwarz and Rob Koral Jazz Quintet, Forest Arts, New Milton ”THE bluesy vocals of Zoe Schwarz are seriously special......” by Jeremy Miles

BBC Radio 2 Russell Davies Apr 2010 RECOMMENDATIONS: ”We were happy to feature Zoe Schwarz’s new CD “Celebration” – for Zoe’s a real talent, as is her guitar-playing partner Rob Koral and on this 16-track album, Zoe’s sure, strong voice is under-pinned by some really pretty guitar. “Glorious” - Humphrey Lyttelton – BBC Radio 2

HAVE A LISTEN: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ymqb6i5Yfns&feature=related - Pennies From Heaven Zoe Schwarz and Rob Koral Guitar and Vocal Duet August 2010

http://www.youtube.com/user/OctopiaProductions#p/u/3/RibMhq7_KFE - Reconsider baby, with Rob Koral’s Baddest Blues Dorchester October 2010