Robin Phillips returns to the Cambridge Jazz Festival in 2017 to continue his series of vocal performances in partnership with the Gonville Hotel whilst introducing another significant vocalist on the UK jazz scene to the city. Following his 2016 teaming-up with award-winning jazz vocalist Anita Wardell, this year he brings exciting emerging vocalist Sara Dowling to the festival, alongside his London trio.

Sara and Robin share a dedicated passion for song, always looking to uncover the stories and history behind the classic jazz repertoire. This has led them both, though separately, into the world of the ‘lost verses’ of jazz standards: the ‘sectional verses’ that often worked as an introduction to songs that first appeared on the stage, offering a segue between the script and song. Whilst a few, like Stardust, have stood the test of time and still remain as a part of the song, many were lost due to numerous factors, including the restriction of available vinyl recording length and the memory of working musicians. These introductory sections of the standards often give great insight into the true meaning of the song, as well as delivering an interesting additional dimension to each piece.

At their Cambridge Jazz Festival performance, Sara and Robin will take turns delivering their picks of the lost verses, whilst accompanying each other with a comfort and ease developed through many performances together in the capital. The singers will be backed by The Robin Phillips Trio, with Jay Darwish on bass and Alex Best on drums. The performance will also preview material from Robin’s upcoming lost verses album.

Sara

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'Enigmatic, beguiling and intensely musical’ MOJO MAGAZINE

 

"Gifted with immensely emotional vocals [Sara's] influences are wide and far reaching, reminiscent of jazz and soul greats such as Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin and Candi Staton, but mixed with poetic lyrics and haunting melodies" last.fm

Sara’s recent album ‘From Shadows Into Light’ has received five-star reviews: ‘Enigmatic, beguiling and intensely musical’ (Mojo magazine) and ‘A vocal with timeless quality’ (Jazz Journal).

Gifted with immensely emotional vocals, Sara’s influences are wide and far-reaching. Born in Oman to an Irish father and Arabic mother, she spent the early part of her life travelling through the Middle East, experiencing great journeys through endless desert, which would provide much inspiration for poetry and lyrics.

 

As a teen she received a thorough classical training on the cello and achieved a degree from the Royal Northern College of Music. Today, she concentrates on her talents as a vocalist and her name is spreading across the UK as someone to watch out for. She regularly performs at London’s top jazz clubs, including the prestigious 606 Club and is known for her interpretations of classic ballads as well as the energy and vigour with which she tackles the up-tempo jazz repertoire.

Robin

Former London- and now Cambridgeshire-based singer/pianist, Robin Phillips, is proving to be an increasingly important part of the Cambridge music scene, both in performing and in creating and booking live music programmes across the city.

 

He honed his skills and his reputation over a decade in London, performing as a resident performer at London’s highest class venues as well as appearances at the capital’s top jazz clubs including the Pizza Express jazz clubs, 606 Club, 100 Club and Ronnie Scotts. His passionate performances are as informative as they are engaging and entertaining and his energetic trio has a distinctly modern edge, whilst clearly paying respect to a golden age of jazz.

"a voyage of discovery through an exemplary execution of jazz standards... he brings an effortless deftness to each of the songs chosen, sounding at times just like Chet Baker or Mose Allison...", LondonJazz album review 2014

"one of the capital's leading jazz singer / pianists", The Musician magazine 2014

"Well Done, Well Sung!.. You show great taste and discretion in this entire compilation…”, Jon Hendricks (jazz singing legend), 2014