London, Monday 2nd March 2015: New release from the Sarah Weller Band 'Storms' onto the jazz scene. The Sarah Weller Band is a new vocal-led jazz quintet combining swing, samba, bossa and fusion. 2nd March sees the release of Stormy, a collection of ten tracks performed by Perrier Jazz finalist Sarah Weller. The tracks are arranged by the exceptionally talented Simon Golding, and his soulful guitar can be heard throughout the album. The Brazilian influence is heard on Ivan Lin's 'Love Dance', arranged by New Zealand pianist Duncan Haynes and the title tracks 'Stormy' that Sarah first heard sung by Flora Purim. Top UK musicians Ross Stanley, Jules Jackson, Arthur Lea and Simon Pearson collaborate to produce the joyful, life affirming, atmospheric and sometimes melancholic sounds. The timing of this release will suit the long winter evenings and springtime gigs that are already planned. While Sarah's choices are from well-known artists, they are anything but obvious. From All I Can Do to Slow Hot Wind these are the songs that have shaped the way I listen and sing. There is a freshness and a unity in the sound and the vocals are crisp and clear. The moody influence of the sea as seen on the artwork photographed by Carl Hyde is present throughout the album. Sarah has the humble assurance befitting the experienced performer that she is. (Paul Pace) There are two special remixes that take 'Stormy' to the dance floor: one by Italian boss nova king Nicola Conte and Quartz and Jazz Vandalls producer Paul Mundy. Sarah enjoyed success with Satoshi Tomiie remix of 'Lover Man' and on this occasion has scored another creative highpoint with these current remixes. Forthcoming shows at Ronnie Scott's on the 2nd and 3rd March will give fans an opportunity to experience 'Stormy' live with the full band. 'I love singers and I love jazz. This album indulges some of my favourites that have influenced, inspired and introduced me to a kaleidoscope of styles, tones and ranges that all encompass the genre of jazz. I have been enticed by many standout interpretations, which include Janet Lawson improvisation on Dindi; Stardust as beautiful and pure as only Doris Day can; Cry Me A River in the uniquely theatrical style that is Barbra Streisand and originals such as Jackie & Roy with their kitsch Runaround; La Cantatrice classically sung by Diahann Carroll and Jean Carn's vocal acrobats on Closer Than Close. These are my chosen songs and singers: 1. Stormy I recall a specific Bognor Regis Soul Weekender with it's in-house radio station. Too young myself I had to settle for a 90-minute cassette tape of songs brought back for me containing Call Me by Nancy Wilson and Stormy by a singer I would later know as Flora Purim. I had no idea who she was, I just loved the sound she created. The innovative fusion of Brazilian rhythms and melodies combined with seventies grooves in Airto and Flora's music has completely shaped my taste in jazz. I met and spoke to Flora Purim at Ronnie Scott's in 2010, the last time she was there, and stood star struck waiting for her to sign a CD for me. There was a lump in my throat as she sang Vera Cruz that night. 2. A Slow Hot Wind Sarah Vaughan: voice of an angel, the finest voice ever in jazz and a voice that dramatically changed over the course of her career. She disliked being pigeon-holed into one genre but I'm glad she chose jazz. From Shulie-a-Bop to Interlude to Mystery of Man she is my queen of jazz forever. When Mancini decided to do a songbook with a singer there were only two people on the female list and he knew that if Sarah Vaughan sang his songbook she would make his songs live on. 3. Meditation I fell in love with Brazilian music after discovering Flora Purim and my first job was selling original Brazilian albums and reissuing compilations called Rare Brasil with a Russian conductor called Gennady Zalcovitch (Soldier Story - Glenda Jackson/Nureyev). I would spend my days listening to these amazing voices before I had to go on and sell them to dealers and to shops such as Mike Chadwick's Decoy Records,
