Zara McFarlane
Zara McFarlane is a British jazz/soul singer and songwriter, based in East London. Her debut album, Until Tomorrow, was released on Brownswood Recordings in October 2011. Her second album, If You Knew Her, was released in January 2014 (March in Germany) also on Brownswood Recordings. Both albums contain mainly original compositions. She has collaborated with Denys Baptiste, Orphy Robinson, Soweto Kinch and Jazz Jamaica.
In October 2014, McFarlane was awarded the title of "Best Jazz Act" at the MOBO Awards.[1]
Biography
Zara was born in London and grew up on the borders of east London and Essex. She was born to parents of Jamaican heritage, which has had a big influence on her musical tastes.[2] She studied musical theatre at the BRIT School, then went on to the London College of Music to study Popular Music Performance and completed a master's degree in jazz studies (vocals) at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.[3]
Zara came up through Tomorrow’s Warriors,[4] where she met many of the musicians she performs and collaborates with today.
Zara's "If You Knew Her" tour in 2014 was praised by John Fordham in The Guardian, describing Zara as having "magnetic eloquence".[5] She has also received critical acclaim from The Daily Telegraph,[6] USA Today,[7] The New York Times[8] and The Los Angeles Times.[9]
Zara has made television appearances on programs around Europe, including Later... with Jools Holland,[10] Un Lugar Llamado Mundo[11] and the live broadcast of Victoires du Jazz.[12] She has also made radio appearances worldwide, with her most notable appearances on Jamie Cullum's show on BBC Radio 2,[13] NTS Radio[14] and TSF Jazz.[15]
Discography
Barbara Dennerlein & Zara McFarlane – Christmas Soul 2015 LP&CD Musik Produktion Schwarzwald New (Edel)
Zara McFarlane – Open Heart 2014 Digital EP Brownswood Recordings
Zara McFarlane – If You Knew Her 2014 CD Album Brownswood Recordings 12' Vinyl Brownswood Recordings
Zara McFarlane – Angie La La (Yoruba Soul/Osunlade Remix) 2013 12" Vinyl Brownswood Recordings
Zara McFarlane – Angie La La feat. Leron Thomas 2013 Digital EP Brownswood Recordings
Zara McFarlane – Until Tomorrow 2011 CD Album Brownswood Recordings 7" Vinyl Brownswood Recordings
Zara McFarlane – Chiaroscuro / Night & Day 2011 Vinyl Brownswood Recordings Vinyl 10" Promo
Various – Vinylcuts:1 2009| Vinyl|Soul Heaven Records Him (Main Mix) Bopstar Feat. Zara McFarlane Captured (Restless Soul Main Mix)
Various – Brownswood Bubblers Seven 2011 CD Brownswood Recordings
Various – Vibe: Tracce Soul E R&B Scelte Da Massimo Oldani 2011 CD EMI Music Italy
Various – Basement Soul: Sounds From The Floor / Volume 01 2007 CD Unique Uncut Records feat. Jenna G Bopstar Chiaroscuro Bopstar Producer Zara McFarlane Vocals feat. Soulphiction
References
- ↑ Jazz FM on Zara Mcfarlane's MOBO award, 23 October 2014.
- ↑ Evening Standard interview with Zara McFarlane. 24 October 2014.
- ↑ The Art's Desk, 10 Questions for Zara McFarlane, 24 March 2014.
- ↑ Tomorrow’s Warriors.
- ↑ John Fordham's review of Zara McFarlane at XOYO, February 13th 2014
- ↑ Telegraph review of If You Knew Her, 10 January 2014.
- ↑ Brian Mansfield's review of You'll Get Me In Trouble video, 30 December 2013.
- ↑ Ben Ratliff's playlist featuring George Cables and Zara McFarlane, January 24, 2014.
- ↑ LA Times, "Faces To Watch 2014", 27 December 2013.
- ↑ Later... With Jools Holland, 22 April 2014.
- ↑ Un Lugar Llamado Mundo, 16 July 2014.
- ↑ Victoires du Jazz, 13 June 2014.
- ↑ Zara McFarlane session on the Jamie Cullum Show, 11 February 2014.
- ↑ NTS Radio Morning Marauders Archived October 24, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. 25 January 2014.
- ↑ TSF Jazz's Disc of the Day, 29 January 2014.