|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZKENT, Stacey(b 27 March '68, New York) Singer, actress. Studied comparative literature at Sarah Lawrence; lived in a houseful of Frank Sinatra and Nat Cole records. Moved to London '93 and joined Vile Bodies, a band re-creating the Mayfair café society ambience of the '30s; went solo and gigged at jazz club Ronnie Scott's, cabaret room Pizza on the Park; sang with US visitors Harry Allen, Warren Vaché, Kenny Davern, Scott Hamilton. Toured Europe; appeared in Sir Ian McKellen's Richard III '95. Debut album Close Your Eyes '97 on Candid revealed a considerable talent: backed by Jim Tomlinson (tenor sax), Colin Oxley (guitar), David Newton (piano), Andy Cleyndert (bass) and Steve Brown (drums), her slightly fluttering vibrato was highly affecting, particularly on her forte, the confessional intimate ballad: she lived inside a lyric in a manner reminiscent of her great inspirations Mildred Bailey and Billie Holiday. |