Album Notes

'Soulful and exuberant' (Time Out) vocalist Mark Jennett has been a regular on the London jazz scene for the last two years.

Mark's debut recording has been produced by BBC Jazz Award Winner Anita Wardell and features some of Britain’s finest instrumentalists including Robin Aspland, Barry Green, Jeremy Brown, Steve Brown and Tristan Mailliot.

'In demand British jazz singer ... The audience lapped it up' - Evening Standard

'Blessed with a warm sound, perfect intonation and a great feel, Mark Jennett really knows how to communicate a lyric.' - Anita Wardell

Praise from the British jazz world for The Way I Am...

'Mark Jennett is a welcome addition to the small roster of that rare beast, male jazz singer. On this, his new album, "The Way I Am", Mark has assembled a first rate team of Brit players and with the guidance of the very fine Anita Wardell as producer, turned out a lovely collection of standards.

His clear voice is well suited to Mercer, Arlen and Porter and on Randy Newman's "I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore" and the Willie Dixon song, "Little Red Rooster" he shows us his soulful, bluesy side.' - Ian Shaw

'When I listen to classic jazz songs I want to hear the melody, the lyric, the wit, the sadness, the joy, the love, the irony and the sensuality.

I want to hear it all, sung with a voice that sings and a band that swings. A band that gives a singer space, and rips into solos giving the whole set drama and dynamic range. Telling me the tale in a personal way.

I want to close my eyes and imagine they are in the room with me, or I am in some intimate place near the band lost in the Music, a glass of good wine in my hand and good company by my side.

The Way I Am delivers this to me. Mark has all this with warmth and tenderness and a smile you can almost touch, simmering just below the surface on songs such as ‘Too Marvellous’ ‘The Surrey With The Fringe On Top.’ and naturally, ‘I’m All Smiles.’

From the opening tenderness of Day In Day Out to the louche ‘Little Red Rooster’ through ‘Its Only A Paper Moon’ taken away from the four on the floor swing, giving it a lightness of touch… this debut recording from Mark Jennett is a treasure.' - Carol Grimes

'Great choice of songs, fantastic backing musicians and a vocalist on his way to a great career.

Mark Jennett is an asset to the jazz world and has arrived at the right time. The Way I Am is a winner.' - David Mossman, founder of The Vortex Jazz Club