This week’s feature—Part 2! We are spotlighting jazz singer-songwriters Vicki Burns and Tessa Souter, two musicians who have both sung and recorded each other’s’ compositions. Now for Tessa! 🎶
1. What artists have impacted you the most?
“Norma Winstone, for sure—she’s an amazing lyricist. She’s probably most famous for her lyrics to ‘The Peacocks,’ which I recorded on my first album, Listen Love. Her lyrics are always emotionally resonant, intelligent, and deeply authentic. Milton Nascimento, who I first heard on Wayne Shorter’s album Native Dancer, was also a huge influence—a great lyricist and songwriter. Mark Murphy was my mentor, so of course he was a big influence.“
2. How did you start singing?
“I sang all my life. My mom taught me adult songs when I was three. I taught myself guitar at 12 so I could accompany myself singing folk songs, and everyone assumed I was going to become a singer. But I had my child in my teens, so I had to be practical. I was around 40, with my son already grown, when I met someone who made it their mission to push me onto the stage and practically force me to sit in. That led to people asking where they could hear me, and eventually to gigs.”
3. Can you talk a bit about your songwriting process?
“My process really varies. Lyrics usually come first, although ‘You Have to Believe’ came to me all at once—music and lyrics together. But whether the process is fast or slow, songwriting for me is always a process of honing: get the first draft out, then refine.” 4. Can you please talk a bit about singing Vicki’s song, and her singing your song?
“I was working on my album Picture in Black and White, inspired by discovering that my birth father was Black—something I didn’t learn until I met him in my late 20s. I was listening to Vicki Burns’s album when I heard ‘The Ancestors,’ I thought not only is it a beautiful song, but the lyrics were perfect for the project. Her original ‘Siren Song’ also fit the theme beautifully. As for hearing her sing my song, the first time I heard her singing it live, I cried a little. It’s very emotional to hear someone else singing your story.”
Thank you, Tessa! ☺️
Come see the new preview of the reworked version of All These Pretty Things
📅 Feb 6
🎭 Soapbox Gallery
⏰ 7pm
#worksinprogress @tessasouter@daviddeblinger@soapboxgallery@thesoundcheckpr
Co-written and Directed by Tessa Souter
Dramaturgy and direction David Deblinger
In the 9 pm CST hour of #jazz tonight on Kansas Public Radio, baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan from 1990, vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson from 1993, singer Tessa Souter from 2009, guitarist Peter Hand’s Big Band from 2013 and, from the Vinyl Vault, tenor saxophonist James Moody from 1972. Plus, new releases by guitarist Gil Livni, pianist Lisa Hilton, and pianist Kenny Barron (with guest vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant). Also streaming at
“BLISTERINGLY HONEST” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
— The Edinburgh Guide
“NOTHING SHORT OF BREATHTAKING” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
— The List (UK)
After nearly 80 performances across Edinburgh, Adelaide, London, and the United States, All These Pretty Things returns in a newly re-imagined form for a special preview performance.
Blending original songs, raw memoir, and dark humour, this intimate one-woman cabaret explores loss, resilience, and the art of starting again. Tracey Yarad transforms heartbreak into something raw, resonant, and unexpectedly uplifting.
This latest version has been reshaped with New York–based dramaturg and co-director David Deblinger, alongside co-writer and co-director Tessa Souter, preparing the work for its next chapter and an upcoming Australian tour.
📍 Soapbox Gallery, Brooklyn
🗓 February 6
🕖 7:00 PM
In-person only — not live-streamed
Free admission | Limited seating | RSVP essential.
@tessasouter@daviddeblinger@soapboxgallery@parkslopeliving
@blue.mountains.theatre
After nearly 80 performances across Edinburgh, Adelaide, London, and the USA, All These Pretty Things returns — newly reworked and refined.
Blending original songs, raw memoir, and dark humour, Tracey Yarad turns heartbreak into art in this intimate, critically acclaimed one-woman cabaret about loss, resilience, and starting again.
✨ Preview performance
📍 The Blue Mountains Theatre
🗓 Feb 20
🕢 7:30pm
Co-written by Tessa Souter
Co-directed by Tessa Souter & David Deblinger
Dramaturgy: David Deblinger
Blisteringly honest. Unexpectedly uplifting. 🎭
@daviddeblinger@tessasouter@thesoundcheckpr
After a slow start to the week, plenty of great singers are out next weekend!
Check out the long-term calendar on our website.
#jazz #singers #vocalists #jazzuk #concerts
Shadows and Silence: The Erik Satie Project
Tessa’s new album ! @tessasouter today @soapboxgallery (thank you Jimmy ! ) With @luisperdomojazz wonderful jazz arrangements Tessa’s sumptuous lyrics and talented @yasushibass@stevewilsonsax #billydrummond
And on a side note…..Tessa’s elegance reminds me of Sargent’s portrait of Madame X !(Satie was about 18 when it was painted … she’s nailing it with that gorgeous dress ! 😉) #nycjazzscene #eriksatie #gymnopedie #gnossienne jazzsinger
