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1.) We’re very excited to be speaking today with acclaimed jazz chanteuse Leslie Vincent; greetings and salutations, Leslie! Before we do a mad Charleston down the proverbial musical Q&A pathway, how has the dog days of the summer of ‘23 been treating you?
They’ve been wonderful! Soaking up the Minnesota State Fair and getting as much sun as I possibly can before winter comes.
2.) Major congratulations on your brilliant and absolutely captivating new album About Last Night which just premiered worldwide this August 25! What are the origins of this gem of an LP, what came to inspire it?
Thank you! It all started with our approach to “Stars Fell on Alabama” where we started playing with star sounds, inspired by our bassist Matt McIntyre. I was liking our sound as a group and I knew I wanted to capture it on a new record. So, I started pulling pieces that spoke to me and that started to tell a story.
3.) Word ‘round industry campfire has it that you and the ever-renowned engineer John Miller were responsible for the production-end of things on About Last Night. What special set of challenges does self-producing present an artist with?
The biggest challenges are money and organization. From funding the project to coordinating schedules to handling rights, it took a lot of my time, brain space, and a jam-packed clipboard that held all of my notes.
4.) In your humble opinion, what differentiates About Last Night from the Distinguished Competition on the 2023 music scene?
Oh, probably my inability to stick to one genre. I love blending different sounds, including my originals. I’ve also been told that I have an “unusual sound” although I don’t know if I agree—I think I just sound like myself. But I certainly appreciate the compliment!
5.) Your rendition of Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer’s evergreen This Time the Dreams on Me was a real showstopper in our book, absolutely neck and neck with Harry Connick Jr.’s own neat take from some years back. Was it always the plan to include this classic on the About Last Night album?
Wow, thank you so much! That song has been on my mind for years now. It was actually the last song I thought to include. As I was coming to terms with my vision for the record, I wanted a song to sound like a sunrise and that song could be a beautiful message with the right treatment. As Ted Godbout and I worked on the arrangement, we wanted it to sound soft and soothing, a balm to all the emotionality of the night.
6.) You include two jaw-droppingly gorgeous original tunes on About Last Night and they mix seamlessly with the variety of jazz standards and Broadway numbers that also call the new LP their home. What’s the trick as an artist to intermingling the original tunes with the evergreens without hopefully alienating some of the audience that expect to have at least a handful of classic standards on a release?
Having confidence in your material. Contemporary voices have stuff to say; I’d encourage anyone out there writing their own stuff to put it out there! You never know who it’ll affect and inspire.
7.) You collaborate with some amazing talent on About Last Night, including the likes of pianist Ted Godbout, bassist Matt McIntyre, drummer Ben Ehrlich and trumpet player Mitch Van Laar. What’s it like working alongside this tight jazz quartet of musical alchemists?
Absolutely the best feeling in the world. I love our group dynamic – it makes everything easier. We have just as much fun hanging out together offstage as we do making music onstage. And I think that comradery comes through in the recording.
8.) Who inspires you musically?
Caity Gyorgy! Her scatting skills are out of this world. And I love Samara Joy’s sound and approach. I also really love Carmen McRae’s approach to standards. Of course Amy Winehouse’s vulnerability.
9.) With the August 25 release of About Last Night, can fans look forward to catching you on the touring/performing circuit in the coming weeks and months?
I’ll be in the Twin Cities for the most part, doing all kinds of shows. But I’m planning to get out of Minnesota in the coming months to play some new places!
10.) You’ve been compared to both Madeleine Peyroux and Amy Winehouse and I’d personally throw in a little dash of Patty Andrews of The Andrews Sisters fame just for good measure. How does it feel as an artist to receive some of these comparisons?
Incredibly humbling.
11.) At the end of the day, what do you hope listeners walk away with after they give many-a spin to About Last Night?
I hope they feel inspired to listen to more jazz and seek out more new music!
Website: https://lesliedellavincent.com/
Facebook – www.facebook.com/LeslieVincentMusic
Instagram – @leslie_della_vincent
Hyperfollow – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/leslievincent/about-last-night
Linktr.ee – https://linktr.ee/leslie_della_vincent
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/65eULp7IiuB9yigrLAtKj4
