Miss Tess
New York City, New York, United States | SELF
Music
Press
“This is music cut from a different cloth than the cardboard-stiff newness of more trend driven singer-songwriters, and it’s appeal more closely resembles your favorite pair of jeans: the lovingly broken-in
elegance that inspires confident ease.” - Charleston City Paper
"Imagine the sultry jazz halls of the 1930s and 40s, people crowding torward the stage to get a closer listen to the mysterious voice spilling from the microphone. She [Miss Tess] sings about subjects that the modern generation can relate to, although there is an elegance to her voice that could only have been born in another era. It captures you like a thread of smoke, seeping into your skin, and staying long after you've gone. True to her grassroots style, Tess's connection to the audience is incredibly personal, making it a better show than many by popular musicians" ~Jenica Jones
- Bootleg Magazine March 2008 Issue
“True to her grassroots style, Tess’s connection to the audience is incredibly personal, making it a better show than many by popular musicians” - Bootleg Magazine
"Since moving to town from Baltimore, in the fall of 2005, Miss Tess has been bringing the old-school heat to local clubs, playing scrumptious old-time jazz and blues like some Tom Waits/Billie Holiday hybrid, both as a solo performer and with her four-piece backing band, the Bon Ton Parade." - Boston Phoenix
“The area’s next musical sensation”
- Boston Magazine
"Miss Tess' 'Modern Vintage' is just that: a fresh - and refreshing - take on classic themes from a bygone era." - Brendan Hogan, WGBH Radio
"Miss Tess is all grown up. And so is her music. Timeless. Relevant. It leaves you more alive than when you arrived. For the unaquainted, her voice could be described as a combination of k.d. lang and Madeline Peyroux. Deeply inspired and well trained. After listening to her cd you'll let it play through again, and again. The Bon Ton Parade is gorgeous. Clarity and sophistication elevates the already strong voice of Miss Tess. The sensuality and vitality will leave you in anticipation of their live performance, which will have you humming in contentment." - Pear River Press
"Miss Tess' 'Modern Vintage' is just that: a fresh - and refreshing - take on classic themes from a bygone era." - Brendan Hogan, WGBH Radio
"Locals on the Verge: MISS TESS" The Maryland transplant called one of her albums "Modern Vintage," and that neatly sums up her crisp approach to old-time jazz, folk, and blues. After a recent contest win, Tess will hit the high seas next month as part of a music cruise in the esteemed company of artists including Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett, and Patty Griffin. No doubt they will be as charmed by her classic covers and clever originals as Boston audiences." - The Boston Globe (Jan 12, 2008)
"Imagine the sultry jazz halls of the 1930s and 40s, people crowding torward the stage to get a closer listen to the mysterious voice spilling from the microphone. She [Miss Tess] sings about subjects that the modern generation can relate to, although there is an elegance to her voice that could only have been born in another era. It captures you like a thread of smoke, seeping into your skin, and staying long after you've gone. True to her grassroots style, Tess's connection to the audience is incredibly personal, making it a better show than many by popular musicians" ~ Jenica Jones - Bootleg Magazine March 2008
"Locals on the Verge: MISS TESS" The Maryland transplant called one of her albums "Modern Vintage," and that neatly sums up her crisp approach to old-time jazz, folk, and blues. After a recent contest win, Tess will hit the high seas next month as part of a music cruise in the esteemed company of artists including Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett, and Patty Griffin. No doubt they will be as charmed by her classic covers and clever originals as Boston audiences." - The Boston Globe (Jan 12, 2008)
Discography
2013. "The Love I Have For You" [Signature Sounds Recordings]. Will be released Oct 29, 2013
2012. "Sweet Talk" [Signature Sounds Recordings]
Tracks played nationally on college, community, and AAA radio.
2011. "Live Across the Mason Dixon Line" (Double Album) Miss Tess. Tracks played nationally on college, community, and AAA radio.
2010. "The Waltz Set" (EP) Miss Tess. Tracks played nationally on college, community, and AAA radio.
2009. "Darling, oh Darling" Miss Tess. Tracks played nationally on college, community, and AAA radio.
2009. "Live on the Road" Miss Tess. Tracks played nationally on college, community, and AAA radio.
2007. "Modern Vintage" Miss Tess.
Tracks played nationally on college, community, and AAA radio.
2007. "When Tomorrow Comes" - Miss Tess sings jazz standards. Airplay on XM Radio Channel 73, "Hi Standards" and nationally on college, community, and AAA radio.
2005. "Home" - Miss Tess sings original songs on her first album, backed by her mom and dad on upright bass & clarinet.
Photos
Bio
"Sweet Talk" (2012 on Signature Sounds Recordings), was lauded by The Boston Globe as “An unabashed reminder that there's nothing wrong with casting a wide net... Her versatility is a rejoinder to how we expect to put musicians into neat little boxes according to genre," while FAME described the band as “Daring and talented, a band of hybrid visionaries led by a honky-tonkin’ chanteuse.”
Miss Tess & The Talkbacks is comprised of Miss Tess (songwriter, vocals, guitar), Will Graefe (guitar), Larry Cook (upright and electric bass), and Matt Meyer (drums and percussion). With songs ranging from influences deeply rooted in a rich history of American music, Tess and her band create a sound that is distinctively timeless and unique. You will hear influences stemming from western swing, blues, old time country, and early rock ‘n’ roll, tied together with a string of catchy melodies and top notch musicianship. Miss Tess harkens to the sassy strength of Patsy Cline, the soulful croon of Billie Holiday, and the low down blues feel and barfly humor of Tom Waits, yet maintains a style all her own...
Critics also have a hard time assigning Tess’s music to a specific genre; before she made the move from Boston to New York City, she won a Boston Music Award for "Outstanding Folk Artist of the Year" in 2008. Also she received a nomination for "Best Jazz Act" (2009), "Best Roots Act" by the Boston Phoenix (2010), and another BMA nomination for 2011 for "Best Jazz Act" again. Country? Blues? Jazz? Folk? Pick your favorite genre and come enjoy the show.
Miss Tess & Talkbacks not only have played in many venues in Boston and New York, but are also hardened road warriors who have toured nationally since 2007, finding homes in all types of venues ranging from upscale jazz clubs, folks rooms, music festivals, to local honky tonks. Tess has released eight albums, with a new studio recording due out October 2013.
"I don’t know of anyone else right now touring in the Americana scene that has such an eclectic, jazzy, old school and interesting vibe. There’s an authenticity present in Miss Tess’ music. She is real. And she is rare." - No Depression
“One of America’s best kept secrets…a singer with incredible talent who creates a stunning late night, haunted feel.” – Country Music People (U.K.) 5 out of 5 stars
“This is music cut from a different cloth than the cardboard-stiff newness of more trend driven singer-songwriters, and it’s appeal more closely resembles your favorite pair of jeans: the lovingly broken-in elegance that inspires confident ease." –Charleston City Paper
“The area’s next musical sensation” –Boston Magazine
“Miss Tess takes old music and makes it sound fresh. She also makes new music with a sense of history and context to it. No matter what label you want to put on it, it’s damn good music. Period.” –Matt Smith, Club Passim
“With a calmness that belies the intensity in her music, Miss Tess will cement a place in your music- loving heart with her first note.” –Caroline Aiken, Singer/songwriter
“True to her grassroots style, Tess’s connection to the audience is incredibly personal” –Bootleg Magazine
“Miss Tess’ ‘Modern Vintage’ is just that: a fresh - and refreshing - take on classic themes from a bygone era." –WGBH Radio
“The thrift-shop clothes, the vintage Weymann guitar, the demure stage name – all those clues signify, right from the start, that Miss Tess plans to take us on a retro roadtrip. The vocal stylings of the past perfectly suit her bell-like voice — more Madeleine Peyroux or Zooey Deschanel than Norah Jones – with its offbeat blend of sassiness and winsome charm. Gimmicks like that can easily fall flat, and I must admit I felt a little trepidation as I first put Miss Tess’s newest CD, Darling, Oh Darling, on my player. It didn’t take long, though, for me to relax and breathe a sigh of relief. Miss Tess has the chops to pull it off.” –Holly Hughes, Blogcritics
Links
