Zoe Schwarz

Having made a considerable impact these past five years in a crowded market place, vocalist Zo� Schwarz returns to the Dean street club for her 3rd visit. The sextet will include the individual and stylish guitar of Rob Koral, inventive tenor sax from Ian Ellis and the elegant piano of Hilary Cameron together with Julian Berry-bass and Mark Fletcher-drums. Expect some excursions into the blues field with re-workings of Willie Dixon, Ray Charles and Howling Wolf together with some individual self-penned material and a tasteful, thoughtful nod to the standard repertoire.
Zo� Schwarz was classically trained and a graduate in the 慞erforming Arts� from Trent Park, Middlesex University. Zo� then performed in many guises over the following years, mostly in modern improvisational and classical music; including working with Keith Tippet, Scott Stromen, Harrison Birtwistle and Emma Kirkby. A cash-flow problem meant Zo� then started temping in the city, in the financial markets between singing jobs. Showing a flare for the city - years later she found herself managing a large global IT team, part of UBS Warburg. By 2000 she realized she missed the true vocation in her life so much that she dropped the whole city career to re-start her singing one.
Zo� turned to Jazz in the autumn of 2001 having been invited by Keith and Julie Tippet to sing at a jazz evening at Dartington Intl Summer School, where Zo� was had been selected to take classical master-classes with Estha Salaman; Keith抯 comment to her performance was to 憇tick with it�. Totally inspired she returned home in search of fellow jazz musicians; she was introduced to Rob Koral. There was no looking back.
Despite Zo霋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 Zo� had her first week at Ronnie Scott抯 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 is going to be her best year yet with 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.
Rob Koral comes from a 憇elf-taught�, more bluesy background; but has made his name on the British jazz scene, performing with the likes of Jim Nullen, Django Bates and Bill Bruford. Rob moved to London early in his career and formed the successful band SKETCH with singer Sue Hawker. Sketch released several well-received albums, and appeared on the Old Grey Whistle test and BBC抯 Jazz notes. Rob has played at all the major London venues, including Ronnie Scott抯, The Barbican, the Royal Festival Hall; as well as Jazz festivals and clubs all over the U.K, including Brecon, Glasgow and Swanage.
Zo� and Rob抯 musical partnership has been described as "one of the most engagingly natural partnerships in jazz, Zo霋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 2007. 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 慙et抯 Explain� and 慓ive Him Up Girl� both pack powerful emotional punches (who says no one抯 writing good lyrics these days) 厖" by Peter Quinn Jazzwise 慏evil or Dove� April 2005
As well as their jazz hats, Rob and Zo� also front the new and popular six-piece blues band called The Baddest Blues Band (Ever!)
STEP UP - "A glorious album" � Radio 2, Humphrey Lyttelton, 10th March 2008
"The bluesy vocals of Zo� Schwarz have won a significant following. Her combination with the guitarist Rob Koral helps place her apart from other vocalists." - The Independent on Sunday, Roger Trapp, 18th Aug �07
"Rob Koral is superb his is a talent of world class proportions." - Jazz Journal Intl, Bruce Crowther