Singing
Jess trained at the prestigious Purcell School of Music and Goldsmith’s College, where she was originally a flautist. After graduating she carved a varied career as a singer in many different genres including classical, (both solo and choral), Musical Theatre, Jazz, Rock and Pop and Gospel styles. Jess has worked with many great musicians including jazz pianist Pete Churchill and R n B singer Lloyd Wade (featured artist on Pack Up Your Troubles by Liza Doolittle), and performed in fabulous venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and The Royal Festival Hall.
Teaching
Jess has taught singing for almost twenty years at primary, senior and vocational college levels. Many of her students have gone on to pursue careers in jazz, musical theatre, rock, pop and gospel. Many have acquired industry agents and gone on to successful careers as professional singers (students' credits include The Color Purple UK Tour, The Cher Show West end, Something Rotten, Court Theatre New Zealand, Love Supreme Festival, winner Yamaha Funk It Up award, Mama Mia, Celebrity Cruises, Cats, Royal Carribean, Peter Pan, Bristol Hippodrome etc...). Jess believes singing is an important part of self-expression and a key component for building self-confidence, particularly in young people. As well as a Bachelor of Music (BMUS Hons) Jess holds an Associate Diploma in Musical Theatre Singing from the London College of Music (ALCM). She is also a qualified Estill practitioner (levels I and II).
JAZZ ROUGE is Jess's creative collaboration with guitarist Andy Rushton, plus guest musicians from all over the UK. Each collaborator brings technical skill, adventurous improvisation and their own individual musical influences from infectious Latin American rhythms, smooth French chic to quirky British humour. Andy is an enormously talented and versatile musician, who plays multiple instruments. As a guitarist he studied with Stuart Hall and John Paricelli. He has worked with several well known musicians including Jake Issacs and Carrie and David Grant. Jazz Rouge has appeared on a number of jazz festival stages (Ealing Jazz Festival, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Cheltenham Christian Arts Festival) as well as enjoying playing for corporate occasions and weddings. Jazz Rouge has been lucky to have been joined regularly by great guests players, such as well-known Cameroon bassist, composer and director of the African Jazz Orchestra, Serge Ngando.
