Focus On.. Cecilia Stalin

Who Is Cecilia Stalin?

Cecilia Stalín explores genres from hip hop to nu-jazz to bop/swing. Her voice is her trademark and differs through a wide spectrum of closeness and fragility to great willpower. Great willpower is also something that can be said about her successful career, which is filled with exciting collaborations and brilliant reviews.

She has recorded for the Swedish National Radio, and has been playing frequently at Sweden's biggest jazz clubs like Jazz club Fasching, Nalen, Jazz i Malmö, Mejeriet, Glen Miller Café. Since 2007 Cecilia is living in London to play and work on her next album.

She has been involved in several musical situations from radio (interview with Helen Mahew from BBC/Jazz FM), BBC studio recordings and have sung at clubs like Royal Festival Hall, Jazz Café, Ronnie Scotts, Roundhouse, Spice of Life and The Vortex to mention a few.

Cecilia got her largest breakthrough to date in her collaboration with the nu-jazz duo Koop and their song ‘Waltz for Koop’ which was made soundtrack to Woody Allens film Match Point, has worked in different constellations over her years in the business, amongst them Charles Tolliver Big band. First and foremost she has focused on her own ensembles; She recorded her debut cd ‘Straight Up’, as soon as she was done with college, with her Swedish quintet in 2005 witch was released in Japan and USA in 2006.She has also been involved in a large number of different collaborations and this combined has given her an international breakthrough.

Almost four years later, Cecilia Stalín now gathers the material and arrangements and releases the full-length album ‘In the spirit of Coltrane’. This is a collaboration between Cecilia and a group of hand picked producers and they are a vast group of international names such as Daz-I-Kue (Bugz in the attic, UK) Waiwan (nu-jazz/house producer, UK), Keyon Harrold (producer for 50cent, US), Drew Horley (producer for Ty, UK), Nate Smith (drummer for Dave Holland, NYC) and the legendary Herb Middleton (NYC).

Cecilia has since moving to London expanded her musical palate to singing back up vocals for UK pop stars like The Streets (Electric proms), Alesha Dixon (Live Lounge BBC), Nate James and Cinematic Orchestra (on tour), and solo performances piano/singing all over Europe and expanded her vocal coaching (teaching celebrities like actor Eamonn Walker for his role in Cadillac Records feat Beyonce).

Who is Obenewa?

Thoughtful and heartfelt, Obenewa is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, honed and ready to impress with ear-pleasing vocals and well-penned songs. Her velvety and captivating voice tends to be the first attribute to woo listeners, as she eases through octaves. A natural performer, Obenewa comes to life when on stage as crowds across the UK capital can testify. Most at home when alone with her guitar, the West Londoner has songwriting skills to compliment her impressive array of talents. Her lyrical honesty allows listeners to empathise and share an affinity with the tales that unfold before their ears. Creating catchy choruses, audiences best get used to singing along. To use her favoured maxim, Obenewa's ART is from the heART.

Click here to buy tickets for Kadija Kamara & Obenewa live w/ full band 5th August 2010