Third album, Dandelions, released May 23rd 2011 on Fast Awake Records is an album of all originals. Produced by the lauded Benedic Lamdin (Nostalgia 77) and Riaan Vosloo (Twelves), she fuses Spanish and Brazilian classical guitar with pop, folk and jazz influences.
Kaz's second album Different Smile can be purchased from iTunes, www.jazzcds.co.uk, Amazon and at Ray's Jazz Shop in Foyles, London.
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Kaz is an increasingly acclaimed, young UK singer, songwriter & guitarist. Her second album Different Smile, features 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 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
