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Emily Masser: Live at The Bear Club

Luton's TBC (The Bear Club) is a delightful place to hear some great jazz, and never more so than when Emily Masser brought her quintet along. Hot on the heels of the launch of her album 'Songs With My Father', Emily performed several of the tracks, plus a couple of new discoveries with her father - saxist Dean Masser.


Emily Masser with her quintet


Emily Masser with James Owston and Alex Clarke


Hilary and Emily

It was good to chat with Emily a couple of weeks before the gig and diving deeper into the inspiration behind her album Songs With My Father for an episode of Harmonious World. Experiencing a few of the tracks live proved the singer’s position as one of the new talents emerging from London’s Guildhall School Of Music And Drama.

There’s a maturities about Emily’s voice and delivery of these standards, chosen for interpretation and development that goes beyond her years.

As well as dad Dean Masser (sax), Emily was accompanied at the Bear Club by Matyas Gayer (piano), James Owston (bass) and Steve Brown (drums). It shows that these musicians are used to playing together as Emily approaches the end of this tour to launch the album.

There is a lovely, soulful side to Emily’s performances, but her youthful exuberance on tunes like Dat Dere and even Old Devil Moon. There’s undoubtedly more to come from this vocal talent and it was a delight to hear her accompanied by her best friend, Alex Clarke, who brought her alto sax along for a guest appearance.

Get to The Bear Club if you can, and definitely hear Emily Masser sing (especially if she scats!)

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