Jazz Singer
Eaves
STYLE EXCLUSIVE
Harriet
Rochdale-born Jazz singer and session artist, Harriet Eaves, has performed to sell out audiences all over the world.
Harriet, now based in London, originally trained as a classical musician at Chetham's School of Music and has performed in some of the UK's top venues, including the Royal Albert Hall, MEN Arena, Cardiff Millennium Centre and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. recently, Harriet was a guest vocalist for
gareth Malone's new choir 'Voices' including televised performances at the Classic Brits
(royal albert Hall), Children in Need rocks
(Hammersmith apollo), royal Variety show
(London Palladium).
Youth Choir which has been a massive part of
my life, singing in both their training choir and
their main choir in some amazing venues. I was
something right as I kept getting asked back!
We’ve also performed at Children In Need Rocks
and The Royal Variety Show so it’s been a very
also very lucky to appear on four recordings with
exciting thing to be part of!
studios all over London - it was a great
You've had a varied and exciting career so
NYC which were recorded at famous recording
experience! I now work for the National Youth
Choir helping to encourage the next generation of
singers in the same way that I was. Where did you train?
At Oulder Hill School - My singing teacher,
Stephanie Ball, encouraged me to continue my
far... what has been the highlight?
My career highlight has been touring with the
band James three times. Last year I was asked to
sing a duet with the lead singer on ‘She’s A Star’
at the MEN to a sell-out crowd of about 23,000
people! James are also my Dad’s favourite band
(as well as mine!) so it was great that he got to
musical training by auditioning for Chetham’s
see me perform with them.
two years and then moved onto Manchester
We hear you've sang for the Queen?!
School of Music in Manchester. I was there for
University to study Drama but was still heavily
involved in the music department there - singing
with the Big Band, Chamber Choir and taking
part in operas and concerts. I also had a lot of training through The National Youth Choir.
Who inspires you?
I have listened to Amy Winehouse since I was 14
and she was a massive influence on my singing
and musical style. She opened me up to listening
Chetham’s School were involved in a charity for
the leading music schools in the country, and the
opportunity came up to apply to perform in the
Caribbean for 50 Heads of States for the Bi-
Annual Commonwealth Conference. I was the
only singer selected to perform for the event on a
cruise ship singing in front of our very own
Queen and the other delegates. It was an amazing
experience - whilst there, I also led a series of
music workshops in children’s hospitals and
to other artists that had inspired her such as Ella
schools in Trinidad and Tobago. It was great to
female voices of jazz. More recently I have been
alongside them.
album and performing for the Queen…
Krall and Natalie Cole.
Which is your all-time favourite venue?
When did you first start singing?
You've just finished touring with gareth
style caught up with Harriet to discuss her
exciting career, including her latest tour with
gareth Malone, the release of her second
I first started singing when I joined Rochdale
Borough Junior Choir, conducted by Jill Hamnet
at Rochdale Music Service, at the age of eight.
Singing in the choir really helped me gain
confidence and I sang my very first solo with
them - a gospel number called ‘Wade In The
Water’ which shocked everyone that such a big
voice came out of such a small person! Jill also
encouraged me to audition for The National 50
www.rochdalestyle.com
Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and all the other great
influenced by other jazz singers such as Diana
Malone's 'Voices' tour... how did it go?
meet musicians from different cultures and play
I have performed at the Royal Albert Hall nine
times - it is one of the most important venues in
the world and always feels very special to
I finished last night after a very busy three weeks
perform at such a prestigious venue.
absolutely amazing venues such as The
Your second album 'the one For Me' is
Birmingham Symphony Hall. I originally joined
you describe it? and which track is your
concert at the Classic BRIT awards as they
My album ‘The One For Me’ is a mixture of
touring the UK. We performed at some
Bridgewater Hall, Hammersmith Apollo and
the choir on a temporary basis for just one
needed another Alto and I must have done
available to download on itunes... how would favourite?
original jazz songs, ‘standards’ and covers with a