Songbird Anya has voice for All That Jazz
DONCASTER songbird Anya Thomson is hoping to follow in the footsteps of her hero Ella Fitzgerald and scat her way to the top of the pops!
Jazz-influenced singers, such as Amy Winehouse and Katie Melua, have topped the charts in the last couple of years and the diva is hoping that debut album Hardly Ever will help her hit the heights as well.
But Balby-born Anya hadn't ever sung the blues until she started singing lessons at the Doncaster's Youth Jazz Orchestra's base, on Beckett Road, just two years ago.
"Jazz wasn't really an influence at all until then - I was more into funk," she told The Star.
"I've always been interested in music - I play the piano and violin, as well as sing, but it wasn't until I started to soak up the atmosphere at the DYJO that jazz became an influence.
"Before that, my influences as a singer were more pop and gospel artists - though I suppose gospel and jazz have quite a lot in common."
However, the music quickly be-bopped its way into Anya's heart.
"I've got a lowish voice, so it really suits jazz, and I just fell in love with the music. I love singers like Billy Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald but I also listen to a lot of modern singers like Eva Cassidy, and I've just started getting into June Christie and Sarah Vaughn too. My all-time favourite is still Chaka Khan though!"
Anya's debut CD, as well as classic tracks like Summertime and God Bless the Child, also features seven original songs by Lincoln-based songwriter John Walton.
"It was really special to work with John," Anya said. "He'd won a songwriting competition and part of the prize was the funding to make an album.
"He was looking for a singer to work with and couldn't find anyone in Lincoln. So he phoned John Ellis at the DYJO, and luckily for me, John put my name forward.
"It was great working with John Walton - and very, very special to be the first person to record some of his songs.
READ MORE
More Doncaster news
LIFESTYLE: How Sheffield Eagles star Jack is keeping kids fit.
TODAY'S COLUMNIST: Jane Cartledge on how you can save a life.</a
Sheffield recording star Paul Carrack happy on the road.
LETTERS: Co-op closure inevitable.BUSINESS: Sheffield gas fitter invents energy-saving device.
Your Business channel video bulletins.
Main news index
Sport latest.
"They were new songs so it was a real challenge. But because no-one had sung them before that gave me the opportunity to put my own stamp on them - I could do absolutely anything I wanted. Luckily, John liked the results."
Anya is currently working at a church in Wakefield, but she says that she hopes to have a future behind the microphone.
She said: "I've had interviews at a couple of music colleges, but I haven't heard anything back yet.
"We'll see - it would be great to have a career in music but you never can tell, can you?"
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
