Alice Mary Jelaska is a popular clarinettist, vocalist, band leader and composer in London’s gypsy jazz, folk and world scenes. Her virtuosic clarinet playing has a deep, feisty and Balkan edge reflecting her Croatian roots and gypsy influences – and her vocals, described as ‘serene’, ‘pure’ and ‘water-like’, add a delicate contrast to her performances.

She owes her ethereal and nostalgic influences to her background in vintage and folk music, having led gypsy swing band The Kings Cross Hot Club for over 5 years, as well as leading and being invited to work with several world and contemporary folk projects. She has collaborated with musicians from all over, from Turkey to Congo, Senegal to Argentina, Scotland to India – performing at prestigious UK events and venues including Secret Garden Party, Southbank Centre, Royal Albert Hall, Victoria & Albert Museum, Hyde Park, Kensington Palace Orangerie; and abroad in France, Italy Switzerland, Turkey, Germany, Los Angeles. As a recording artist she has also worked as a session musician for BBC Television.

MARCH 2020

1st Eleonora Clasp

Born in Milan, Italy, Eleonora’s interest in music began in her early teenage years, when she started studying drums and percussions. While touring and recording behind the drum kit in various rock, pop and jazz bands, she developed an interest in singing, as she supported her groups on backing vocals. Having moved to the UK in search of new inspiration, she started studying jazz singing, while performing on the London scene and writing her own material. Her first album as a singer-songwriter, titled Stars, was released in late 2015, gaining supportive reviews and airplay across many UK outlets. Her set features her highly regarded originals, and percussion-focused arrangements of an eclectic mix of her favorite songs by artists as diverse as Sting, Dvořák and Cyndi Lauper.

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8th Jane Parker

Jane Parker’s breathy vocals, reminiscent of Rickie Lee Jones or sometimes Billie Holiday are both sultry and steamy as the bayou itself’ Blueprint.London-based jazz singer Jane Parker sings regularly in and around the capitol and has performed at venues which include Ronnie Scott’s, 606 Club, Quaglinos and the Cafe de Paris. Her many influences include Blossom Dearie, Jackie Paris, Eddie Jefferson and Jon Hendricks.

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15th Heidi Vogel

Heidi Vogel could be an apple-cheeked Swiss Miss in a dirndl yodelling folksongs on an Alpine hillside. Far from it, this one is a charismatic brown-skinned Londoner with a sunny smile and glorious voice that invests soul into everything she sings.  When she hits a note just right, her throat swells open to deliver a mighty vibrato rich note with a life of its own. When you can do this, it hardly matters what you’re singing. But Vogel has taste and saves the fireworks for key moments.”  – The Evening Standard ****

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22nd Marcina Arnold

Hugely talented and extremely versatile, Marcina has gained respect of fellow musicians for her fresh and innovative approach. Blessed with a beautiful and highly distinctive singing voice, she is an accomplished percussionist, also playing piano and guitar and a distinctive songwriter/composer.

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29th Helen Burnett

Helen Burnett is a Cambridge-bred, London-based vocalist. After studying at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama she released her debut album “When First I Saw You There” which received airplay on the BBC and Jazz FM. As a member of the London Vocal Project Helen has performed with Bobby McFerrin, Norma Winstone and Kenny Wheeler.  Helen’s broad vocal range allows her to bring a fresh and expressive approach to classic American songbook repertoire peppered with material from modern songbook masters such as Tom Waits, John Martyn and Leonard Cohen.