It is always a special feeling to witness an artist or a musician on stage, when they clearly enjoy what they are doing and are self-evidently in it for the love of music. Cherise was giving exactly those vibes, when she played at Fasching during the Stockholm Jazz Festival.
The multi-faceted British singer-songwriter was giving us what she calls “wonky soul”, with elements of jazz and r’n’b seamlessly blended in.
Her effortless vocals were at times silky smooth, but she would throw in lines with a deep bass sound or some cool vocal runs, keeping things interesting and making the audience smile along with her.
When she took up the guitar, she apologised for not playing it like a virtuoso. Telling how she had ordered it online based on how nice it looked, and learned to play from YouTube videos, skipping straight to jazz chords and not concentrating on the basics. Sounded great to this music fan, as the genuineness of it all shone through so brightly.
The sound was up-to-date but also timeless, and she included a proper jazz standard as a nod to being at the Stockholm Jazz Festival: Favorite Things. Listening to her soulful voice, those keys that shimmered and the drums that grooved, this kind of musical experiences are indeed some of my favorite things.
Cherise also spoke about her background with a mother who has been very active in the community, and how that has shaped her values and convictions. She also took up ShadeINDIGO, where she is curating live shows with new artists, who are blending influences and defying genres. Clearly paying it forward and supporting fellow musicians – something we can really get behind and another reason to have great respect for this artist.
All photos © Nina Uddin
