If you don’t know Cecilia Stalin from her 2012 album Step Like a Giant, which has been featured heavily on the show, you may recognize her from her collaborations with Koop, The Analog Players Society, Illvibe Collective and Sarah White which have also been featured. She is going to come by tonight to chat and share some songs on the tail end of her trip from London.
About Cecilia Stalin:
Swedish jazz artist CECILIA STALIN is a talent not to be overlooked. Her music, explores genres including hip-hop, nu-jazz and bop/swing. A stunningly versatile voice is her trademark, and envelops a wide spectrum of feelings and emotions. From intimacy and fragility, to great will and power. Will-power is most definitely a virtue that has helped Cecilia to achieve success with the many collaborations and recordings that span her career so far. Her delivery of mellifluous gems truly brings forth the virtues of well-crafted and inspirational sounds.
Since beginning a career in music, Cecilia has worked on many projects/recordings that have gained excellent reviews and broad international recognition. Although having worked within a number of constellations during her career including, Charles Tolliver’s Big Band, she has primarily focused on her own ensembles. After finishing college in 2005, Cecilia recorded the debut CD ‘Straight Up’ with her Swedish quintet; the album was released in Japan and USA in 2006.
Cecilia frequently performed at Sweden’s biggest jazz clubs including: Jazz Club, Fasching, Nalen, Jazz i Malmö, Mejeriet, Glen Miller Café. She has also performed at the Royal Festival Hall and many of London’s best known Jazz venues including, Jazz Café, Ronnie Scotts, Roundhouse, Spice of Life and The Vortex.
In Sweden, her work incorporated a variety of musicians, small groups and big bands. She has recorded for Swedish National Radio, featured on numerous radio shows/broadcasts including interviews with people such as Helen Mahew (Jazz FM), and performed on many studio recordings for the BBC. Cecilia is probably best known for collaborating with the nu-jazz duo Koop on the song ‘Waltz for Koop’, which was included in the soundtrack for Woody Allen’s film ‘Match Point’.Whilst living in New York during 2003, Cecilia worked with friend and mentor Reggie Workman. Inspired by her character and personality, Reggie suggested she set text/lyrics to some of John Coltrane’s songs and compositions. Cecilia has recently started to gather the arrangements/material she worked with then, and is releasing a full-length album called ‘Step Like A Giant’. The project is a collaboration with a broad range of hand picked producers of international renown such as, Daz-I-Kue (Bugz in the attic, UK) Waiwan (house producer, UK), Keyon Harrold (producer for 50cent, US), Drew Horley (producer for Ty, Natalie Williams UK), Nate Smith (drummer for Dave Holland, NYC) and the legendary Herb Middleton (NYC).
In 2007, Cecilia moved to London in order to perform more regularly, and start work on new projects. Since arriving in London, she has expanded her musical repertoire by singing backing vocals for UK music acts and artists including, The Streets (Electric proms), Alesha Dixon (Live Lounge BBC), Nate James and Cinematic Orchestra (on tour). In addition, she receives many bookings to sing and play solo piano all over Europe. Also known as a vocal coach, Cecilia has taught celebrities such as actor Eamonn Walker for his role in the movie ‘Cadillac Records’ which features Beyonce playing the role of Etta James.