Fire Horse is jazz singer-songwriter Sarah L King’s debut album which features eight of her moving original compositions, alongside her beautiful arrangements of ‘Devil May Care’, ‘Lush Life’, ‘Stolen Moments’ and ‘Show You The Way To Go’. “The songs are an emotional journey, mixing my originals with covers that I chose because I felt as closely connected to their meaning as my own originals,” explains King. “’Holding On To Love’ is a song of positivity, whilst ‘Born Yesterday’ is more of a pouring of confessional frustration. I lost my Dad during the writing of the album and ‘Skyscapes’ is very directly about him. I think what connects all the songs is my emotional directness. I can only write about what I know, and I hope by being specific, others can relate and they become universal in appeal.”
The recording reflects King’s musical influences growing up – Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Karen Carpenter. “I gravitate towards soulful overtones in my style, probably due to an appreciation of Roberta Flack, Kandace Springs and many others,” says King. “I compose on the piano & the musical styles that I’ve absorbed over many years inevitably reveal themselves. The great jazz vocalists I admire are Nina Simone & Billie Holiday, because of the emotions they imbue, so mix this with the earliest of my influences and it’s shaped my work as more of a jazz – singer-songwriter hybrid genre.”
Claire Martin OBE produced the album and selected leading British musicians to accompany King – Jim Watson on piano and keyboards, Laurence Cottle on electric bass, Jeremy Brown on double bass, Ian Thomas on drums, James McMillan on flugelhorn and Chris Traves on trombone. “I love Sarah’s vocal style and songwriting skills. Thought provoking, tender and sophisticated lyrics set to soulful jazz melodies that are fresh and well crafted,” says Martin. “I’m very proud to be involved with her debut album and look forward to more people hearing her music.”
Album Launch concert at Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho, London
Sunday 18 February 2024
Notes:
Sarah L King’s vocal talent stems from a family heritage of musicians, her father an accomplished jazz trumpeter, her grandmother an orchestral conductor. She has always been a communicator, having previously written and directed several award-winning short films and narratives before her love of music took over all else. With a fine ear for harmonies and improvisation, King started singing in jazz and gospel choirs under the guidance of musical director Mike King, (no relation, his collaborations include Mark Ronson, Boy George, Florence Welch), before swiftly emerging as a solo artist, releasing an EP of standards in 2020. An accomplished band leader, she appears regularly in London jazz venues with her quintet.
