LUCA MANNING - Forecast Ahead, Looking Bright
Every now and again there is a buzz that there is a major new voice on the scene, and more often than not this will refer to an instrumentalist with a distinctive sound or vocabulary of their own. Once again, there is an exciting new voice out there and this time around it is vocalist Luca Manning. Born in Scptland, Manning has been studying and working in and around London, and creating quite a stir among those in the know.
I first heard about Luca when tipped off by saxophonist, Laura Macdonald, who was still buzzing from the recording sessions for Luca's debut album, on which she had played on a couple of tracks. Laura sent me a couple of links to check out some of the music recorded, and I too was hooked. The debut album in question, When The Sun Comes Out is now out and available and reviewed in our December album reviews, and just confirms what a major talent this young singer is.
Not only a fine singer, he has also found the perfect musical partner in fellow Scot, Fergus McCreadie whose piano playing is the epitome of good taste, providing not just an accompaniment but more of a full orchestral arrangement so broad is the scope of his playing. It was therefore a real pleasure to talk to Luca about the album, and some of the other collaborative projects he is involved in.
Can you tell about your debut album, When The Sun Comes Out? And why have you chosen to record with just piano accompaniment and not a larger band? Is this not a riskier and more exposed setting, or was that the attraction?
Yes! The album was recorded in Glasgow in April 2019 and released on the 17th October the same year! It's my debut album which is very exciting and I'm so thankful to the amazing team of people who helped make it happen (Fergus, Laura, Gus Stirrat - mixing and mastering, Delilah Niel (visuals) and Sara Colman (co-producer)). I chose to make it a duo album because 1.) I think you can get away with more stylistically in a duo setting. I wanted the album to feature a wide spectrum of material as that is who I am at the moment and the most cohesive way to produce that felt like a duo setting, 2.) I adore playing duo with Fergus, it allows for loads of freedom, interaction and playing with Fergus is more like a musical conversation between us than a typical singer/piano accompaniement setting.Yes it gives the music a more exposed and vulnerable setting which I love ; I did have a few people tell me it was a bold decision to make my first album a duo album but I never really felt any kind of pressure about that at the time, I was just having fun making music that I loved!
I first heard about Luca when tipped off by saxophonist, Laura Macdonald, who was still buzzing from the recording sessions for Luca's debut album, on which she had played on a couple of tracks. Laura sent me a couple of links to check out some of the music recorded, and I too was hooked. The debut album in question, When The Sun Comes Out is now out and available and reviewed in our December album reviews, and just confirms what a major talent this young singer is.
Not only a fine singer, he has also found the perfect musical partner in fellow Scot, Fergus McCreadie whose piano playing is the epitome of good taste, providing not just an accompaniment but more of a full orchestral arrangement so broad is the scope of his playing. It was therefore a real pleasure to talk to Luca about the album, and some of the other collaborative projects he is involved in.
Can you tell about your debut album, When The Sun Comes Out? And why have you chosen to record with just piano accompaniment and not a larger band? Is this not a riskier and more exposed setting, or was that the attraction?
Yes! The album was recorded in Glasgow in April 2019 and released on the 17th October the same year! It's my debut album which is very exciting and I'm so thankful to the amazing team of people who helped make it happen (Fergus, Laura, Gus Stirrat - mixing and mastering, Delilah Niel (visuals) and Sara Colman (co-producer)). I chose to make it a duo album because 1.) I think you can get away with more stylistically in a duo setting. I wanted the album to feature a wide spectrum of material as that is who I am at the moment and the most cohesive way to produce that felt like a duo setting, 2.) I adore playing duo with Fergus, it allows for loads of freedom, interaction and playing with Fergus is more like a musical conversation between us than a typical singer/piano accompaniement setting.Yes it gives the music a more exposed and vulnerable setting which I love ; I did have a few people tell me it was a bold decision to make my first album a duo album but I never really felt any kind of pressure about that at the time, I was just having fun making music that I loved!
Fergus McCreadie is an inspired choice as pianist for you. Have you know Fergus for long and how did your musical association begin?
I've known Fergus for about 3 years and we stayed playing together just a little over two years ago. We met on the buzzing Glasgow Jazz Circuit and I remember going to see his gigs when I was just starting out on the scene and instantly falling in love with his individuality and talent. We started playing together both duo and in larger line-ups of mine and then we began to gig together. FOr the past two years at the Glasgow Jazz Festival we have played the support as a duo for Georgie Fame (2018) and Ruby Turner (2019) - these gigs really inspired us to play more together in a duo setting and explore lots of new material! Fergus keeps me grounded, he reminds me not to worry about what people might think and just do what we do at our best. He's an incredible pianist and I find playing with him one of the most exciting things I get to do as a musician. We enjoye playing everything together from standards to folk, or originals to more singer-songwriter inspired music.. we listen to a lot of music while we play together and talk about what we love a lot which definetely helps.
Saxophonist, Laura Macdonald is featured on two tracks, what inspired you to bring Laura on board for these pieces?
I thought having a guest on the album would be exciting as it would break up the duo texture a little and when I was thinking of who to ask - Laura immediatly popped into my head. She has been a great mentor to me over the years and I adore her playing - she was actually my saxophone teacher initially haha! I was jusy really excited by the idea of having her sound and energy as a musician on the album and sure enough the tracks she is featured on definetely bring an incredible energy. We decided to feature her on a standard as I love her straight ahead playing as well as a tune of mine called "rise" which I'd written a nice countermelody part for.
I've known Fergus for about 3 years and we stayed playing together just a little over two years ago. We met on the buzzing Glasgow Jazz Circuit and I remember going to see his gigs when I was just starting out on the scene and instantly falling in love with his individuality and talent. We started playing together both duo and in larger line-ups of mine and then we began to gig together. FOr the past two years at the Glasgow Jazz Festival we have played the support as a duo for Georgie Fame (2018) and Ruby Turner (2019) - these gigs really inspired us to play more together in a duo setting and explore lots of new material! Fergus keeps me grounded, he reminds me not to worry about what people might think and just do what we do at our best. He's an incredible pianist and I find playing with him one of the most exciting things I get to do as a musician. We enjoye playing everything together from standards to folk, or originals to more singer-songwriter inspired music.. we listen to a lot of music while we play together and talk about what we love a lot which definetely helps.
Saxophonist, Laura Macdonald is featured on two tracks, what inspired you to bring Laura on board for these pieces?
I thought having a guest on the album would be exciting as it would break up the duo texture a little and when I was thinking of who to ask - Laura immediatly popped into my head. She has been a great mentor to me over the years and I adore her playing - she was actually my saxophone teacher initially haha! I was jusy really excited by the idea of having her sound and energy as a musician on the album and sure enough the tracks she is featured on definetely bring an incredible energy. We decided to feature her on a standard as I love her straight ahead playing as well as a tune of mine called "rise" which I'd written a nice countermelody part for.
Click on the album cover to read our review
The songs on the album cover a broad spectrum from jazz standards, your reading of the traditional 'Loch Lomond', and Joni Mitchell's 'Two Rooms'. How did you select the material for the recording?
All the songs spoke to me in one way or another in the lead up to recording - some of them we had been playing for years and some we played for the first time on the session. I wanted this album to be a true representation of who I currently am as a singer and I think the diverse range of material reflects that. The truth is, if you come to a gig you'll hear a mic of standards/folk tunes/originals/pop songs... I sometimes say I'm a jazz vocalist who gets distracted by loads of other good music!
All of the arrangements for the songs are by yourself and Fergus, is this a process you enjoy and were the arrangements written for the album or did they evolve from performing the music live?
I wrote some specific things arrangment-wise but most of it came in the moment. It is very much a live album - we went to a room with a nice piano and threw up some mics, there is very little editing and no overdubbing or post production like that. Therefore, there was lots of scope for spontaniety and "arranging" in the moment. Playing with Fergus is different evey single time - and that is what I love about him.
All the songs spoke to me in one way or another in the lead up to recording - some of them we had been playing for years and some we played for the first time on the session. I wanted this album to be a true representation of who I currently am as a singer and I think the diverse range of material reflects that. The truth is, if you come to a gig you'll hear a mic of standards/folk tunes/originals/pop songs... I sometimes say I'm a jazz vocalist who gets distracted by loads of other good music!
All of the arrangements for the songs are by yourself and Fergus, is this a process you enjoy and were the arrangements written for the album or did they evolve from performing the music live?
I wrote some specific things arrangment-wise but most of it came in the moment. It is very much a live album - we went to a room with a nice piano and threw up some mics, there is very little editing and no overdubbing or post production like that. Therefore, there was lots of scope for spontaniety and "arranging" in the moment. Playing with Fergus is different evey single time - and that is what I love about him.
How did you become interested in music and singing, and jazz in particular?
I've always sang. I loved music at school - I was lucky enough to go to an amazing comprehensive state school that had a fabulous music department so we would always put on shows and play in differnt ensembles like the jazz+soul band. My school then suggested I audition for a new weekly jazz vocal workshop being run by the Strathclyde Youth Jazz Orchestra and it was there I got my first taste of jazz. Before then, I'd listen to Amy Winehouse, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and various soul/jazz inspired artists - but to be honest I had no clue what I was getting myself into! The weekly workshops really helped me learn different standards and grow my confidence as a jazz musician. I also attended the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland summer school where Liane Carroll is the vocal tutor. After hearing Liane for the first time - I knew that was what I wanted to do. The sheer joy in her performance, her sound, her delivery, her feel - hit 15 year old me like a ton of bricks and so then I became a student of pianist Alan Benzie and worked my butt off to learn how to sing and play jazz!
As I mentioned earlier there is a very diverse selection of songs on the album, who would you say have been influences on your musical development?
Well, as i said above - Liane was a huge influence on me. I listened to loads of Chet Baker at the beginning - his fragile, melancholic style resonated with me much more than the whole "crooner" thing. My influences change all the time - I am still a student so I'm still learning loads! I love jazz and improvising. I also love folk/world music and great singer songwriters. Me and Fergus defeintely share a love of the folky/singer-songwriter style and I think that is why the album has a slightly folky tinge to it which I love.
I've always sang. I loved music at school - I was lucky enough to go to an amazing comprehensive state school that had a fabulous music department so we would always put on shows and play in differnt ensembles like the jazz+soul band. My school then suggested I audition for a new weekly jazz vocal workshop being run by the Strathclyde Youth Jazz Orchestra and it was there I got my first taste of jazz. Before then, I'd listen to Amy Winehouse, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and various soul/jazz inspired artists - but to be honest I had no clue what I was getting myself into! The weekly workshops really helped me learn different standards and grow my confidence as a jazz musician. I also attended the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland summer school where Liane Carroll is the vocal tutor. After hearing Liane for the first time - I knew that was what I wanted to do. The sheer joy in her performance, her sound, her delivery, her feel - hit 15 year old me like a ton of bricks and so then I became a student of pianist Alan Benzie and worked my butt off to learn how to sing and play jazz!
As I mentioned earlier there is a very diverse selection of songs on the album, who would you say have been influences on your musical development?
Well, as i said above - Liane was a huge influence on me. I listened to loads of Chet Baker at the beginning - his fragile, melancholic style resonated with me much more than the whole "crooner" thing. My influences change all the time - I am still a student so I'm still learning loads! I love jazz and improvising. I also love folk/world music and great singer songwriters. Me and Fergus defeintely share a love of the folky/singer-songwriter style and I think that is why the album has a slightly folky tinge to it which I love.
You also work with a collaborative group called Threebop with fellow vocalists, Ella Hohnen-Ford and Rosina Bullen. Can you tell us about the group, and if there are plans to record with this line-up?
I love being a part of the group! We are like a family - it's really amazing. Singing with other singers is one of the greatest things ever! We have been singing together for a few years now - I met Rosie at Guildhall (she was in her final year as I began my studies) and Ella studies at the Academy. Ella and Rosie had already been singing together and when they asked me to join them - I jumped at opportunity. They are honestly two of the most talented young singers I know and they inspire me loads! Rosie's original vocalese lyrics are actually featured on the second track of the album! Rosie is now studying her masters in Manhattan so whenever she is back in the UK we gig and tour and yes, we have just recorded selections from our "Nancy Wilson" project which shall be released in due course!
What other projects are you currently involved with?
I sing with various trios/line-ups. New things coming soon! I have been lucky enough to guest with Tom Smith's Queertet : an LGBT+ Jazz Band celebrating queer jazz music, I also sing BVs for the amazing Rosie Frater-Taylor, I sing with Sam Gales "Capital Orchestra" and am so lucky to be a part of the incredible London Vocal Project led by Pete Churchill.
And plans for the future?
A: It's a long way away but... a second album is brewing.... For the moment, I am just loving gigging and learning as much as I can! Oh and I'm also really looking forward to attending the Parliamentary Jazz Awards where me and Fergus have both separately been nominated which is lovely!
I love being a part of the group! We are like a family - it's really amazing. Singing with other singers is one of the greatest things ever! We have been singing together for a few years now - I met Rosie at Guildhall (she was in her final year as I began my studies) and Ella studies at the Academy. Ella and Rosie had already been singing together and when they asked me to join them - I jumped at opportunity. They are honestly two of the most talented young singers I know and they inspire me loads! Rosie's original vocalese lyrics are actually featured on the second track of the album! Rosie is now studying her masters in Manhattan so whenever she is back in the UK we gig and tour and yes, we have just recorded selections from our "Nancy Wilson" project which shall be released in due course!
What other projects are you currently involved with?
I sing with various trios/line-ups. New things coming soon! I have been lucky enough to guest with Tom Smith's Queertet : an LGBT+ Jazz Band celebrating queer jazz music, I also sing BVs for the amazing Rosie Frater-Taylor, I sing with Sam Gales "Capital Orchestra" and am so lucky to be a part of the incredible London Vocal Project led by Pete Churchill.
And plans for the future?
A: It's a long way away but... a second album is brewing.... For the moment, I am just loving gigging and learning as much as I can! Oh and I'm also really looking forward to attending the Parliamentary Jazz Awards where me and Fergus have both separately been nominated which is lovely!
Click Here to read our review of When The Sun Comes Out
For more information visit lucamanningmusic.com
For more information visit lucamanningmusic.com
