A summer full of jazz. I seriously didn’t see it coming. The beautiful songs I have featured so far, and the one I am about to share today, have all pulled me in to a special type of a mood. A mood that is both introspective and cozy at the same time. I promise that more varied music is returning to this website very soon, but in the meantime, in comes Gwen Sampé.
To say that Gwen Sampé is a jazz singer is an understatement, a complete mistake, to be honest. She is so much more than that, on so many levels of creativity. A singer, yes, but also a poet, composer and a performance artist. Her recent project, including the below track, “Passion Flower”, is a tribute to Duke Ellington’s collaborator, Billy Strayhorn. It is also a collaboration with Harry Swift, who accompanied Gwen mainly on double-bass.
The result? A beautifully comforting jazz minimalism which massages your tired mind and stays with you a long time after the last sounds of the final song. Over the past few years, both Gwen and Harry have dedicated themselves to researching and arranging the music of Billy Strayhorn, turning his compositions into their own interpretations. Packed with improvisations and minimal arrangements, this project took shape of a complete album, “A Lovesome Thing”.
What I unconditionally love about “A Lovesome Thing” is its consistency in arrangement which, actually, quickly becomes its uniquely recognisable trademark. It is “just” two instruments most of the time. Gwen’s incredible voice and Harry’s double-bass. Plenty of space to think, to immerse yourself in, and to admire the complete lack of any compromises. The stripped-down nature of “A Lovesome Thing” is something that, if you give it a chance, you will appreciate and come back to. It will stick to you and won’t let you go easily. Which is really the most amazing thing I could say about any good album.
All things aside, this is exactly why people like me are continuously on the lookout for new records. To share a common emotion, and to experience musical brilliance of someone we have never even met. For me, Gwen and Harry’s “A Lovesome Thing” is definitely one of the unexpected highlights of 2025 so far.
Photo: Press release
As usual Gwen is brilliant, her vocal passion is forever present with each note. Her vocal intelligence is always present. She is vocal rainbow, using all the colors with a flair all her own.
Thank you for your comment, beautifully written! I wouldn’t have said it better myself 🙂
Gwen touched my heart as soon as I met her. I have had the pleasure of participating in her Voice + Movement Workshops as well as sharing in performance art spaces. She is brilliantly talented with an immense range of curiosity, skills and intelligence to share through her art and life.
Hello Melissa, thank you for your comment. 100% agreed! I feel deeply touched by Gwen’s latest album and I go back to it very often, especially at night 🙂