Clare Teal

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Clare Teal

Background information
Born	May 14, 1973 (age 33)
Genre(s)	Jazz
Occupation(s)	Jazz vocalist
Instrument(s)	Vocals
Years active	1995 - present
Label(s)	Candid, Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Website	http://www.clareteal.co.uk/

Clare Teal (born May 14, 1973) is an English jazz singer who has become famous not only for her singing, but also for having signed the biggest ever recording-deal by a British jazz singer.^{[citation needed]}

1 Biography
2 Personal life
3 Career
4 Discography
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Biography

Teal was born on 14 May 1973, and brought up in the market town of Skipton in North Yorkshire. She developed an interest in jazz from an early age, through her father's collection of 78rpm records. She took music lessons (first on the electronic organ, then more formally on clarinet), before going to study music at Wolverhampton University. ^[1] While at university, Teal found herself without clarinet for an unexpected examination. Deciding to sing instead, she not only got her "best grades ever", but discovered that she loved singing in public.^[1] After graduation, she started a career in advertising, singing in her spare time with various amateur and semi-professional bands.

[edit] Personal life

Teal is a lesbian ^[2] and as of 2005 lived in Bath with her partner^[2] and manager Muddy Field.^[1]

[edit] Career

Teal's break came when she was asked to stand in for Stacey Kent at a weekend festival in Llandrindod Wells. This led (after some determined self-promotion, in which she drew upon her advertising skills) to a three-album contract with the jazz-specialist label Candid Records. Her popularity soared, with appearances on radio and television bringing her to the attention of a wider public. This eventually led to her being signed by Sony in what was the biggest recording deal by any British jazz singer.

In live performances, Teal performs with a band led by pianist/music director Simon Wallace. While the majority of her recordings are standards, earlier albums feature many original songs, including post-swing material, most notably a cover of The Mamas and the Papas' California Dreaming. This cut attracted the attention of BBC radio presenter Michael Parkinson, garnering significant publicity during her period with Candid Records.

[edit] Discography

1995: Nice Work
2000: Messin with Fire
2001: That's the Way It Is (Candid)
2002: Orsino's Songs (Candid)
2003: The Road Less Travelled (Candid)
2004: Don't Talk (Sony)

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b ^c Kasriel, Alex (2005-8-16). Jazz singer leaves it late. This Is Local London. Retrieved on March 31, 2007.
^ ^a ^b Rodgerson, Gillian (November, 2002), "The Food of Love", Diva (magazine): 47