The Divas: Rachel Sutton, Lily Dior & Vimala Rowe
Following their past triumphs at previous EFG London Jazz Festivals, we have asked back not one, not two but three of our favourite singers to perform both separately and together in what is becoming a London Jazz Festival tradition! With a rich tone and sense of swing that is both exciting and moving, Rachel Sutton performs her own arrangements of classics from The American Songbook, together with her beautiful original compositions. Her album “A Million Conversations” was received with considerable acclaim and she released her highly-anticipated second record, ‘Realms’ earlier this year which Jazz Views hailed as 'utterly and completely engaging'. A 606 favourite, Rachel’s winning onstage persona will charm any audience! An expat Australian singer now settled in London, Lily Dior comes with an impressive and extensive cv. Her debut album ‘Invitation’ received universal praise and put Lily firmly on the Australian music map. "She can belt out a song, dramatize a lyric, swing hard and earthy, flirt, sing a tender song - Lily can tell a story" ABC. Recognized as one of Australia’s foremost vocalists, performing at major festivals and venues in New York, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong and of course London, she’s shared the stage with a who’s who of world-class musicians including Oscar Castro Neves, Dale Barlow and James Morrison. The enthralling singer Vimala Rowe’s style has been described as a mix of "jazz sophistication and swing, soulful passion and a hint of Indian exoticism". Based for 9 years in Bangkok she joined Thailand’s first rap band TKO and then spent a year in India studying northern Indian Classical vocals. Now back in England she’s celebrated on the UK jazz scene, working with artists including John Etheridge and appearing in the musical theatre show Café Society Swing.
Each singer will perform a set of their own and these three friends will then join together for a brilliant, joint, performance. Accompanying these wonderful singers will be a rhythm section led by Roland Perrin-piano. A delightful, fun-filled and unique afternoon of great music.
“Sutton…immaculate vocals and bursting-with-life stage presence...a must see" Cabaret Scenes; "Dior’s voice has the depth, control and clarity of Gregory Porter" KindofJazz; "Vimala Rowe is sensational" The Arts Desk
Photo, Lily Dior by Gary Wolff; Photo, Vimala Rowe, Tatiana Gorilovsky; Photo, Rachel Sutton, Jonathon Cuff