Get to know Clare Teal

Singer and broadcaster Clare Teal is becoming part of the Jazz FM family with a new show on Sundays at 7pm. 'The Clare Teal Show’, starting on 24th January, will showcase the finest in big band and swing music.

You can get in touch with Clare Teal here.

Who is Clare Teal?

Clare Teal is one of the UK’s most celebrated and loved singers. With her stunning voice, encyclopaedic knowledge of jazz, swing and big band music, and her innate warmth and wit, Clare is a sought-after singer throughout the globe, as well as a prolific recording artist and popular radio broadcaster.

Where is Clare Teal From?

Clare is Yorkshire born, originally from Kildwick, but now lives in Wiltshire with her partner Muddy (Amanda Field) and their dog Alan.

How did Clare Teal get her big break?

Clare Teal’s breakthrough began when she was asked to stand in for Stacey Kent at a weekend festival in Llandrindod Wells. She was subsequently signed to jazz label Candid Records, which led to several appearances on radio and television. After growing an avid fan base, she was signed by Sony and her first album for Sony Jazz in 2004, Don’t Talk, topped the Jazz charts and entered the UK Top 20. Clare Teal has been putting records out on her own label Mud Records since 2009 with the last release Twelve O’Clock Tales featuring 97 musicians. Clare Teal actively supports and encourages independent music.

When did Clare Teal start singing?

Clare developed an interest in jazz from an early age, through her father's collection of 78rpm records, becoming hooked to big band singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Loss. She then went on to study music at Wolverhampton University. It was here that she found herself in an unexpected examination without her clarinet and so she decided to sing. She received her "best grades ever" and discovered that she loved singing in public.

How many albums has Clare Teal released?

Clare Teal has released 16 albums and has collaborated with Sir Van Morrison on his album Duets: Reworking the Catalogue. Clare’s most recent album They Say It’s Swing will be released on 24th January to tie in with her new show on Jazz FM.

Where has Clare Teal performed?

In a typical year, Clare performs up and down the country throughout the year at festivals and venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Cadogan Hall, Cambridge Arts Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre, Malvern Theatres, Anvil Arts, Sage Gateshead, Love Supreme, Salisbury International Arts Festival, Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival and Glastonbury Festival.

Not only this, Clare has sung with renowned orchestras and Big Bands including the Hallé, BBC CO, RTÉ CO, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra, Frankfurt Radio Big Band (hr-Big Band) BBC NOW and BBC SSO.

She has opened twice for Liza Minnelli at Kenwood House and the Royal Festival Hall, singing with the BBC Big Band at Proms in the Park, headlining the Bourbon Street Tent at Glastonbury Festival, storming the Gateshead International Jazz Festival and producing, presenting and performing ‘The Story of Swing’ in 2015 and the ‘Battle of the Bands Duke Ellington v Count Basie’.

Clare has produced 3 Proms in the past, as well as performing to a packed audience at the Royal Albert Hall in 2017 for 'Swing No End'. Featuring two roaring big bands led by Guy Barker and Winston Rollins and some very special guests, 'Swing No End' celebrated the triumphs of big band greats from the 1930s and 1940s.

Is Clare Teal going on tour in 2021?

Clare Teal and her Trio still plan to go on tour in throughout 2021 for 17 dates across the UK, in line with coronavirus guidelines.

What awards has Clare Teal won?

Clare won British Jazz Singer of the year in 2005, 2007, 2015 and 2017, BBC Jazz Singer of the Year in 2006 and Boisdale Jazz Singer of the year 2016. She was awarded Arts & Entertainment Personality of the Year in 2004 & 2011 Yorkshire Awards, a coveted Gold Badge by BASCA (British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors) in 2011 and an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music by the University of Wolverhampton in 2015.

When is Clare Teal on Jazz FM?

'The Clare Teal Show' will be on Jazz FM on Sundays at 7pm and her first show started on the 24th January 2021 after leaving BBC Radio 2 on 3rd January.

You can listen back to her first episode below:

Contact Clare Teal

You can get in touch with Clare Teal here.

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