Sultry songstress Emma Smith brings a London vibe to Live at the Orinda! when she appears March 22 at the Orinda Theatre. Expect plenty of standards along with a few surprises as she and pianist and actor Jeff Goldblum collaborate.
It’s easy to see why England’s Emma Smith sold out her recent six concerts at New York’s storied Birdland, despite a raging storm that had most of the East Coast snowed in. Her powerful voice is enhanced with vocal nuances and her playful attitude creates an intimate relationship with her audience – making it seem as if she is singing to each one individually.
Bay Area audiences have a chance to see this dynamic performer when she makes her West Coast debut at the Live at the Orinda! concert series March 22.
In a recent interview, Smith noted she might do one or two original songs, plus some unusual fringe songs, including something from the 1950’s “Cinderella” musical.
“But I’ll concentrate mostly on the Great American Songbook, which is my jazz home,” Smith said. “It’s so fantastic, and I just do my own arrangements of some of those fabulous songs.”
Smith also plans a homage to her rich family history which includes her mother (saxophonist), her brother (guitarist) and her father (trumpeter/composer). But it was her grandfather who became her mentor.
An East End trombone player who began playing in British Army bands and rose to prominence playing with such legends as Sammy Davis Jr., Oscar Peterson, Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra, he helped hone the young musician’s skills.
“He never skipped a day’s practice,” said Smith. “He taught me that you’re only as good as your last performance. I’ve adopted my Granddad’s work ethic, and I have a wide-eyed adoration for the music and deep gratitude for the life it gives me.”
Her aunt also influenced Smith’s singing style, which has a fun theatrical, sassy side to it.
“My auntie was in musical theater and performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company among many others. She taught me from a young age to be a storyteller,” Smith said. “I grew up watching such old musicals as ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’ ‘Funny Girl,’ ‘Hello, Dolly’ and ‘Chicago’.”
Surrounded by jazz chords, bebop records and three-part vocal harmony from a young age, Smith was destined for a musical career.
Following her studies at the Royal Academy of Music, Smith first received widespread success with the vocal harmony group The Puppini Sisters as well as her studio work, which solidified her multifaceted talents as a jazz singer, arranger and traditional songwriter with exceptional vocal ability.
“The Puppini Sisters are such an important part of my music education,” she said. “I just love the close harmonies we did.”
Smith also enjoyed the retro glam dresses they wore for such songs as “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and, when she went solo, Smith included the look in her concerts.
“When traveling, I like to go vintage shopping. What I’m wearing in a show is often a marker of my travels,” said Smith.
And travel is something Smith often does.
Last year, she traveled for over 11 months, spending the holidays in Athens and celebrating Christmas Day at the Acropolis.
“Luckily, I love traveling, especially to Poland and all these amazing Italian towns,” Smith said. “Being on the road so much, I don’t have time for a personal life, so I just create a social life wherever I am. I also like to tour with musicians who I enjoy socializing with.”
The busy musician released her second album “Bitter Orange,” full of her unique vocal stylings, last summer.
For tickets to this magnetic performer’s March 22 concert at the Orinda Theatre, go to orindamovies.com/live-at-orinda/. If the show is sold out, email Michael Williams at mdw500@gmail.com to be placed on the waiting list.
