So far I've been studying vocal jazz for 12 years with some wonderful teachers like Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton, Mark Murphy, Liane Carroll, Sophie Bancroft and Scottish vocal jazz veteran Fionna Duncan.I'm the eldest of six talented siblings who've made their mark on the Scottish music scene. I was brought up in the true jazz tradition - my father is still a professional jazz musician and my mother was a music teacher. I grew up hearing Nat King Cole, Nancy Wilson, Chet Baker, Ray Brown, Weather Report and Cannonball Adderley, artists who remain influences on my music today.I began singing jazz professionally in the mid 1990s after studying with Fionna Duncan, Madeline Eastman and Sophie Bancroft and had the privilege of working with award winning pianist Brian Kellock, at the legendary Henry's Jazz Cellar in Edinburgh, on a weekly basis for almost 2 years. You just can't buy that kind of experience...I was extremely lucky to have the opportunity.My singing progress has been marked by critically acclaimed performances on the Tribute to Chet Baker album and concerts with Award-winning trumpeter Colin Steele. My debut CD as a leader was widely praised and critically acclaimed. I was once nominated as one of Scotland's most talented and influential "young" artists by Scotland on Sunday...yeh - looks can be decieving - I think I was just about to turn 40 at the time!My latest album, Flow, produced by my lovely man Julian Arguelles, features pianist Steve Hamilton and saxophonist Martin Kershaw, alongside bassist Aidan O'Donnell, drummer John Blease and guitarist Graeme Scott, and was officially released at Edinburgh International Jazz Festival in August 2005. This CD was subsequently voted amongst the top 10 CDs of 2005 by Jazz Views website.Some of the lovely things in my life and career so far are: producing and bringing up my wonderful son Sean (who's now 18), meeting and falling in love with my wonderful partner, a fifteen-date UK tour from Wick to Devon in 2005, which was supported by the Jazz Services Touring Scheme, meeting and becoming friends with Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton, singing with Liane Carroll at Edinburgh Jazz Festival 2007 and continuing to perform throughout the UK with lots of wonderful musicians.For further information and booking contact:
Thick-Skinned Productions Ltd, Tel: +44(0)1620 861000 or email
[email protected] or visit her family website at www.raefamilyjazz.com to buy her CDs visit www.jazzcds.co.ukReviews, publicity photos and further information available via Rae Family website on my page.I'm also managing director of Thick-Skinned Productions Ltd www.thick-skinned.com, manager of the Fionna Duncan Vocal Jazz Workshops www.fionnaduncan-workshops.co.uk and project manager Glasgow International Jazz Festival www.jazzfest.co.uk
