Zara McFarlane is uniquely engaging, deftly combining the intricacies of jazz with a deep soulfulness, melding multiple influences from reggae to pop, folk and blues.
Her debut album, 2011’s Until Tomorrow, was garlanded with rave reviews and a MOBO award nomination, and heralded a major new talent in the world of British jazz. It was commended by the Daily Telegraph as “the most interesting jazz singer to appear in years” while the New York Times was impressed with her music, describing it as, “serene, post-folk, post-soul, mystical.”
The follow-up, 2014’s If you knew her, also recorded for Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings label, is a more ambitious collection that draws from many more influences – from the deep spiritual jazz of Pharoah Sanders to dub and reggae.
Zara has recently won the best jazz act at the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards, alongside winners in other categories Sam Smith, Jesse J and Beyonce. The award represents a high spot of the brilliant career of the Dagenham-born singer.
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