Polly Gibbons is originally from Framlingham in Suffolk, and rose to fame in the mid 2000s before going on to be nominated for a BBC Jazz Award in 2006, without even having a album to her name. Her first release eventually came in 2014 in the form of an LP co written with the musical director of the infamous Ronnie Scott’s with the song Midnight Prayer going on to win the indie international songwriting competition. A year later, Polly signed to the prolific US label Resonance Records.
She is currently gearing up for her second release on the indie jazz label Resonance Records after a exciting year of shows, including opening for George Bensons sold out UK tour in 2016 and Gladys Knight. Polly is fully embracing the inspiring, expansive array of American jazz, soul and blues influences that have infused her dynamic career as an artist and live performer, she fashions a frolicsome, freewheeling musical history lesson on “Is It Me… ?”
Capturing the joyful essence of the 12-track collection, the multi-talented British singer has this to say on her upcoming release:
“It’s a massive melting pot, varied but beautifully linked because I love every style I’m singing. Jazz would never have happened without the blues, which came out of the gospel tradition – and blues is the foundation of contemporary Western culture and pop/soul music, and so on.”
She seems to effortlessly tap into the Great American Songbook for a spirited stroll through “Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams” (sung by Bing, Dean, Frank, etc.) and Duke Ellington’s “I Let A Song Go Out of My Heart”, on which Polly and L.A. studio trumpeter Willie Murillo showcase their chops at a whirlwind pace.
Growing up in Framlingham, Suffolk with a large family is where her influences first began. Her mum cherished classical and choral music such as Bach & Mozart, while her dad was an electric bassist who played in bands in the 1970’s, her brothers loved R&B and her sisters were all vinyl collectors; the house would fill from the sounds of hip hop and soul to jazz and folk.
Polly took obligatory piano lessons at age four, but didn’t realize she could sing till she was around 13. Crippled by an initial shyness, at her first public performance at a school Christmas concert, she sang with her back to the audience!
Although she sang hymns regularly at the Baptist church her family attended, her musical sensibilities were galvanised when her sister played Billie Holiday’s “I’m A Fool To Want You” . Inspired by Billie, the budding singer experienced an initial flurry of excitement in discovering jazz and blues, listening to such artists as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Donny Hathaway, Thelonious Monk, etc.
She notes however, that although she doesn’t have a very “folky” voice, she was also greatly influenced by artists like Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Rickie Lee Jones and Bob Dylan, and she continuously listens to classical music too! Many of these artists can be heard in her soothing voice.
She has now been nominated as “vocalist of the year” in the 2017 Jazz FM awards, which takes place on the 25th April (aka the 100th anniversary of Ella Fitzgerald’s birth). For the full list of nominees and for the chance to get involved in the public voting (closing 31st March), visit www.jazzfmawards.com.
Her latest album Is It Me… ?, will be released in the UK on the 12th May. For more information visit www.pollygibbons.com.
