‘The truth isn’t always hopeful but the telling of it is.’
Tess Hirst, Singer and Songwriter
behind the voice
Tess studied at Leeds College of Music where she focused on performance, lyricism and composition. Whilst there, she recorded backing vocals for the New York Dolls last album which led her to a short spell in LA to really learn her songwriting craft. Following this she completed a masters in Ethnomusicology from SOAS University of London where she studied Cuban and Atlantic African music. There she undertook a research project on the economy of London hip hop working with renowned hip hop artists Awate, Lowkey and Reveal Poison who are also influences on her own writing. Tess self-released her debut EP ‘Love’s Sunday’ in 2015 overseeing the production, composition and promotion herself. More recently her compositions have been licensed by Dynamic Music/BMG . Award-winning bassist Daniel Casimir and Tess Hirst released thier debut album ‘These Days’ on the 1st November 2019 via pioneering London-based record label, Jazz Re:freshed. Following the success of Daniel’s critically acclaimed 2017 debut EP 'Escapee', which Tess co wrote and featured on ‘These Days’ was their first release as a duo.
2023
Tess will release brand new music in 2023 inspired by the stories of the women who made her. A celebration of inspiring stories of the women around her, both through their personal experiences and drawing upon the musical heritage of West London as a tribute to Hirst’s upbringing and friends. This album is funded by MOBO Help Musicians and PRSF Women Make Music Fund and will be released by jazz re:freshed
Tess Hirst gratefully acknowledges support from PRS for Music Foundation and the MOBO Help Musicians Fund.
These Days
Across twelve tracks, Casimir and Hirst fuse traditional jazz sounds into beautifully composed compositions, narrating their way through a political and cultural landscape.
These Days…In These Ways
Hot off the success of their 2019 debut album, bassist Daniel Casimir and vocalist Tess Hirst release 2 new tracks and 2 new remixes from their debut album.
'These Days.. In These Ways' includes 2 tracks from the album which was inspired by the duo's London surroundings, delivering thought-provoking lyricism, neo-soul and modern jazz.
This EP is definitely one for the dancefloor!
‘A masterpiece.’
- The Wicked Sound
‘Tess Hirst is a natural story-teller who’s lyrics are uncompromisingly honest and layered. Hirst takes her own personal experiences wider offering a voice to a generation’s struggles.’
- Jazz in Europe
‘This is another bulletin from a London scene engaged and unquiet about careless injustice’
Jazzwise Magazine 2019
Live
What they said
Evening Standard.
‘Guest vocalist and co-writer Tess Hirst delivered sombre lyrics on an opener that reclaimed jazz as a political medium’
45 RPM.
‘the starring role goes to Hirst, whose lyrics paint a picture of London not often mentioned when the city is oft-discussed as the burgeoning capital of the nu-jazz world.’
London Jazz News.
‘Tess Hirst’s vocals back to the fore, the sweetness of her tone at startling odds with her message about liberation’
The AU Review.
‘Despite the frenzy of percussion, guitar and piano, Hirst’s smooth and soulful vocals cut through neatly, ensuring the song’s message is never lost.’