Album Notes

I first heard Anya Thomson singing at a vocal workshop directed by the amazing jazz singer Lee Gibson in April 2005. It was clear to me then that this quiet and unassuming girl had a remarkable voice and an innate feel for jazz, an opinion endorsed by her singing teacher, Kristina James. Anya is a member of the Doncaster Youth Jazz Association at the Northern Jazz Centre in Doncaster UK, where, for two years now, she has been honing her skills through rehearsals, workshops and regular concert performances.

Earlier this year, I received a call from John Walton, a Lincoln-based songwriter, who’d heard of a vocalist with one of the DYJA orchestras. I arranged for John to come to a performance, after which he invited Anya to learn some of his new songs and subsequently to record them with a quintet of experienced musicians.

At the studio, Anya was totally focused. In awe of the musicians, she was nevertheless determined not to let anyone down, especially John who had shown such faith in her. It was fascinating to observe the level of artistic communication between the two of them as they worked through the songs. Anya said later how she’d enjoyed the challenge of learning new material while the songwriter listened and advised. When the recording was over, a bond of mutual respect was evident.

Anya approaches each song with tasteful stylistic variation and uses a variety of voice timbres, drawing the listener to compare her with different well-known singers. The quality of interpretation of both new songs and standards is nothing short of amazing when you realise that she has not yet reached her eighteenth birthday.

Anya says: “It‘s been such a fantastic experience. I’ve really enjoyed working with John Walton and such brilliant musicians. Also, my sincere thanks to Pat McCarthy for re-arranging the four standards I chose. I would love a professional singing career, but I’d also enjoy teaching other young people to enjoy singing as I do.”

I’ve a feeling this album is the first of many. John Walton has given this young vocalist a wonderful opportunity to showcase her considerable talents.


John Ellis MBE
Founder/Director
Doncaster Youth Jazz Association (www.dyja.info)
www.dyja.info

June 2007