Tillery: A Quiet Intensity

Tuesday January 31, 2012

from revivalist.okayplayer.com

Tillery: A Quiet Intensity
By:Tamara Davidson

What better way to launch our vocalist issue than to feature an in depth interview with Tillery, an inspiring trio of vocalists who have their feet in the jazz world and have come together to make music that authentically expresses themselves. The ladies of Tillery, Rebecca Martin who has been playing music for over two decades in the jazz world as well performing as a singer-songwriter and guitarist, Gretchen Parlato one of the most respected jazz vocalists of our time, and Becca Stevens the youngest of the three who is already a prolific songwriter and guitarist are a powerful team. It is not everyday that you see three jazz vocalists coming together, which makes Tillery a quite refreshing and important group. Grounded in friendship and love, their music exudes compassion and warmth. The Revivalist spoke with Tillery while they were together at Rebecca Martin’s home in Upstate New York. These ladies shared their giggles, infectious energy, and wise words on what it means to be a jazz vocalist today.

You all have a very organic sound that is grounded in friendship, admiration, and love. Can you tell us how Tillery came to fruition?

Gretchen: I met Rebecca and Becca separately and when I met one Rebecca I thought of the other Rebecca. I thought that they should meet and connect because they would be musical friends and lovely human friends too. I separately had a musical relationship and friendship with both of them and I had a musical visit at Rebecca’s house, where we worked on some music and I suggested that she reach out to Becca. So then Rebecca connected with Becca. We eventually had a little hang like we are doing now, where we all came upstate and ate way too much food and drank wine and tea. We sat around a big table and Rebecca brought her guitar out and said, “let’s play something.” So we just worked on some music.

Becca: When we were playing the music we all had this similar feeling that this should last forever, it was an amazing feeling. Then we were listening back to the recording and we felt the same feeling. That was the root of the organic quality, that you are talking about.

To read the full interview click here

I'll Notice (Live)	6:03	Becca Stevens
You Make Me (Live)	5:15	Becca Stevens
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out	5:22	Becca Stevens

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