Stella Bass on the record: Jazz Journeys & Album Insights
I think music is music and I think people who frown upon any genre or get condescending need to know that if Ella Fitzgerald sang pop, and did TV specials, I’m kind of going if it’s good for Ella Fitzgerald, then anybody who wants to get on their high horse, I say get off
Today my guest is musician Stella Bass. I’ve known Stella for over ten years and have always admired her professional approach to producing music and her new album, Look for the Silver Lining is no exception. The album is a collection of timeless jazz standards. Stella collaborates with The Johnny Taylor Trio to bring you a heady mix of delightful swing, intimate ballads, intoxicating Latin grooves, as well as, for the first time, some of Stella’s original songs. I met with Stella to chat about her career, her influences and the story behind the new album, so I hope you are sitting comfortably and happy to stay with us.
We began our conversation with me asking Stella about her love of jazz and where the influences for it came from (00:54), the musical scene in the 1990s (03:00), and her memorable show about the Berlin cabaret scene (09:10). We then talked about the creative path of the new album (12:35), the choice of tracks (16:45), and the recording process (22:35). Towards the second half, we chatted about Irish jazz music in general (27:32), what advice Stella can give to aspiring vocalists (36:20), and being a female musician in Ireland (40:11), before finishing our chat with me asking Stella what she is listening to, reading or watching at the moment (47:46).
Show Notes
- Stella’s website
- Stella on X
- Stella on Spotify
- Stella on YouTube
- For more, hear my conversations with Flo McSweeney, Graham Bonnett, and Sandy Kaye
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