Riding Mill jazz hopeful Tessa Smith releases debut album

Aug 4 2009 by Joanne Butcher, The Journal

TALENTED Tessa Smith is in a spin having just released her debut album. And the former pupil at Hexham’s Queen Elizabeth High School credits her former music teacher with putting her on the path to singing.

Now she hopes her first album will boost her career as a musician.

Tessa, 23, of Riding Mill, Northumberland, said: “Everything is going well as the moment, although it has been a lot of hard work to get here. I have always wanted to be a musician.”

A graduate in jazz studies from Leeds College of Music, Tessa began working on her album with the Tessa Smith Quartet last year.

The foursome then recorded the album in a remote studio nestled among the Brecon Beacons in Wales.

“It was a great weekend, everything just came together,” said Tessa. “It was the first time we had all worked together, but the sound was amazing.

“The scenery there was stunning, really inspiring. We were surrounded by hills and sheep, and nothing else for miles. We got everything done in a day and a half.

“I am so pleased with the final outcome. I remember thinking, after I heard it back, this is it: something special has just happened.”

Tessa, who began singing at a young age, discovered a love of jazz after dabbling in classical music.