aaamusic | On 13, Nov 2013

Get to know ‘For the Love of the Big L’, by jazz singer and songwriter Kaz Simmons. It is part of her fourth album Signs, released on Sunday 28th October.

The atmosphere is very much her own, a wavy, dreamy world with a slight ’70s overall feel, and an interesting thread from beginning to end of Brazilian music influence – which she loves – through the percussions’ accompaniment. She also manages to smartly introduce wittiness in the song by high-lighting the well-known outside robot-like attitude of Londoners when she sings “They won’t look at me” or “Move to the right” juxtaposed with “We’re friendly people here, honestly”.

This is about a love story with its ups and downs, but a special one indeed since it is a love story with London. Kaz, with her pure and laser-precise voice, tells how the Big L “seduced” her, but she also sings about how the capital can be too pushy at times, making her want to leave. A “dark” break in the song appears, with just a doublebass and touches of electric piano on the background, and Kaz singing a cappella “Don’t take me for granted; I’m good to you”.

But don’t worry, all’s well that ends well, when she finally admits that she “really love(s) it here”.

And if you want more, you will be able to hear Kaz Simmons on the opening night of the EFG London Jazz Festival on the 15th of November, at the Green Note in Camden Town.

★★★★★

Marguerite Gallorini