Zoe Schwarz & Rob Koral Quartet
Zoe Schwarz (voc) Rob Koral (g) Richard Jerreys (b) Quinny Lawrence (d).
Zoë Schwarz was classically trained and a graduate in the ‘Performing Arts’ from Trent Park, Middlesex University. Zoë then performed in many guises over the following years, mostly in modern improvisational and classical music; including working with Keith Tippet, Scott Stromen, Harrison Birtwistle and Emma Kirkby. A cash-flow problem meant Zoë then started temping in the city, in the financial markets between singing jobs. Showing a flare for the city - years later she found herself managing a large global IT team, part of UBS Warburg. By 2000 she realized she missed the true vocation in her life so much that she dropped the whole city career to re-start her singing one.
Zoë turned to Jazz in the autumn of 2001 having been invited by Keith and Julie Tippet to sing at a jazz evening at Dartington Intl Summer School, where Zoë was had been selected to take classical master-classes with Estha Salaman; Keith’s comment to her performance was to ‘stick with it’. Totally inspired she returned home in search of fellow jazz musicians; she was introduced to Rob Koral. There was no looking back.
Despite Zoë’s classical upbringing and studies it soon became clear that her forte was far more suited to blues, expressive ballads and jazz. It was only three years after her first jazz gig that Zoë had her first week at Ronnie Scott’s sharing a week with Monty Alexander. She has also enjoyed success at Pizza on the Park, Stables-Wavendon, Vortex, 606 and many theatres and venues in the UK.
Rob Koral comes from a ‘self-taught’, more bluesy background; but has made his name on the British jazz scene, performing with the likes of Jim Nullen, Django Bates and Bill Bruford. Rob moved to London early in his career and formed the successful band SKETCH with singer Sue Hawker. Sketch released several well-received albums, and appeared on the Old Grey Whistle test and BBC’s Jazz notes. Rob has played at all the major London venues, including Ronnie Scott’s, The Barbican, the Royal Festival Hall; as well as Jazz festivals and clubs all over the U.K, including Brecon, Glasgow and Swanage.
Finf out more at: http://www.zoeschwarz.info/biography.php
Abbreviations: as alto sax; b acoustic bass ; bjo banjo; bsax bass sax; cl clarinet, ct cornet; d drums; eb electric bass; eg electric guitar; fl flute; flg flugel horn; g guitar; org organ; p piano : sousa sousaphone; t = trumpet; tr trombone; ts tenor sax; viol violin; voc voice.