By Gary Kohatsu and Gary Mandell
Miss Tess got her musical start at home in Maryland, where her childhood nights ended in music. Her parents would sing her to sleep with the gentle, tender sounds of American folk songs, occasionally interrupted by their ‘30s swing band rehearsing in the basement. Tess studied piano as a child, and continued on as a teenager to take up the guitar and singing, and eventually began her own studies in early jazz and blues. Tess currently lives in Nashville.
Miss Tess and the Talkbacks will perform from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City. Tickets are $15. Call 310-329-2583.
Give us a musical history?
I started playing the piano when I was 4, but it wasn’t until I was 16 that I picked up the guitar. I grew up in a musical family, who would often encourage me to participate in jams, but I wasn’t comfortable singing in front of people until age 21. That is when I also started traveling, taking long road trips around the country with my guitar. Traveling by your self like that really gives you a lot of time to think, practice singing, and write songs. After a few years of that, I put together my first band in Baltimore and started playing shows at local clubs, and eventually had enough songs for an album (which I recorded with my parents in the living room of our family home). From there I moved to Boston, had a brief stint at Berklee, and started my professional music career, which has followed me from New York City to my current home in Nashville.
Who are your main influences?
I’ve had many, many wide-spanning influences, as I enjoy many different styles of music. But it seems like, over the years, I’ve always appreciated a good strong female voice. Some of my first albums (probably when I was 10) ever were Amy Grant, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston, though when I actually started singing I was really into jazz, blues, and folk. I remember loving Bonnie Raitt, Mama Cass, Eva Cassidy, Ella Fitzgerald and Bessie Smith.
Describe your music style
This is always the hardest question. Over the years I’ve really explored early jazz, blues, classic county and honky tonk, rock n roll, but there are so many shades to all these styles that really doesn’t sum it up. I usually say “original American roots music,” but people don’t always get it until they come to a show.
Where are you based? What do you think of the local scene?
I live in Nashville and the scene is really poppin’. Seems like all the musicians I know are moving there because of its central location and affordability. It’s a city of great songwriters and pickers and there’s plenty of music happening all the time.
Best gig to date? And worst?
Best gig – playing the Clearwater jazz fest for 7,000 people.
Worst gig – playing to 2 people in Des Moines, Ia.
Do you have any albums/singles available?
I’ve released about ten albums since my first in 2005.
Have you played Boulevard Music / Cinema Bar before? How did that connection happen? How did it go?
This will be my first time playing Boulevard Music. My booking agent set up this one and we’re looking forward to the show!
What can we expect from the set?
The band will be playing a lot of tunes from my last album, “Baby, We All Know,” as well as some newer and older tunes.
I’m working on another album and will be getting into the studio soon!
Miss Tess and the Talkbacks can be reached at http://www.misstessmusic.com
Boulevard Music is at https://www.boulevardmusic.com/classes-workshops/
