London-born vocalist Camille Rose is reigniting London’s love of jazz, with a reminiscent, rueful new single “Just Friends”, released on Friday the 21st of October.
The soulful songwriter recognised for her “art of weaving narratively compelling lyrics into a melodically cathartic soundscape” trained as a classical vocalist before honing her skills in jazz at Trinity Laban, the top-class, Greenwich-based conservatoire home to leading jazz and jazz fusion talent including bands Ezra Collective and Kokoroko, musician and saxophonist, Nubya Garcia and vocalist, Cherise.
Camille spoke with Mxdwn about the inspiration for the song stating “This tune focuses on the transition from lovers to friends.… but with the addition of all the emotional baggage and painfully precious memories”. The track’s introspective lyrics are beautifully told with Rose’s clean and melancholy vocals, encapsulating happy memories of a lost relationship. This is further enhanced by the grooving rhythm section, deeply felt horn lines and lush, layered backing vocals.
Regarding how the song came about, Rose mentions that “the track was spontaneously recorded during a 7-piece band session and reworked in production, resulting in that warm, generous, more-ish sound.” This easy-going writing style seems to be a pattern for the South London songbird whose previous work has been described as a “mellifluously rich soundscape that flows with such ease and finesse”.
Hear the latest single on Spotify:
The artist explores nuances in jazz, soul, R&B, funk and blues and takes influence from huge musical icons such as Amy Winehouse, Nina Simone and Stevie Wonders. Once listening to the new single, it is clear to see the impression these classic vocalists have had on the up-and-coming singer.
After the release of her debut mini-EP “Raining in July” two years ago, the emerging singer has been featured on BBC Sounds, played at Priory Live Festival and performed as both band-leader and frontwoman at dynamic new community-based jazz venues such as MAP Studio Cafe and Avalon Cafe as well as within jazz ensembles and small bands as an improviser.
Watch Camille’s live session of “Raining in July” here:
Camille now performs regularly all over London hosting a weekly jazz residency on Saturday nights with guitarist Ed Coma at Cable Cafe, Oval. Other notable venues include Pasta Nostra, Old Street and BeBeMe, Mayfair. She speaks to Mxdwn about her experience with performing live: “I feel lucky that I can make people happy with my voice – get them to stop in the street, enter a bar or cafe, get them to smile, get them to kiss their partner or dance with their friends- and that’s such a blessing and validation for me and my work”.
Lots more is on the way for this jazz songbird. You can buy Camille’s music on Bandcamp here.
