Clara Green is a Stockholm-born jazz vocalist, composer and educator based in London. She is a former member of Pete Churchill’s London Vocal Project, in which she performed and recorded alongside Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, Nikki Iles, Dave Holland… The Clara Green Quartet is her own project, with a debut album, “Being Green” just released.
UKJazz: What differences/similarities do you observe between the UK and Swedish jazz scene?
Clara Green: The main difference is just that the Swedish scene naturally is so much smaller, which then leads to there being a bit less musical variety, and of course not the same level of international influence. I do think though, that perhaps the Swedish scene is a little bit more playful, due to it being a bit less crowded. Musicians are not fighting for their spot in the same way potentially, and therefore there is a less career-focused atmosphere sometimes I think.
UKJN: You have just released your debut jazz album “Being Green” How does this reflect on your experience of being a woman trying to have a voice in the UK jazz scene?
CG: I’ve found it a little tricky at times to find my feet on the jazz scene, because I have sometimes interpreted the ‘roles’ for female vocalists as being somewhat narrow. I’ve never felt very comfortable on the function scene for instance, and I’m not really a bebop style scat singer. I was too scared to bring any original jazz compositions out in the open for many years to be honest. I’m so glad I got to know and started playing with the members of my quartet; Bruno Heinen, Andrea Di Biase and Riccardo Chiaberta, because through this collaboration I have really been inspired to work on my writing and take it seriously! I wanted to make the album in part to celebrate that I really love writing music as a way of connecting with other people (and myself sometimes). I’ve also had a sense of wanting to take some ownership of my shape as a vocalist.
UKJN: How important is it to you to have strong female role models in our industry?
CG: So important! I was extremely lucky for instance to study with the incredible Nikki Iles back when I did my bachelor’s degree at Middlesex University – if it hadn’t been for her I think I would have given up on the whole jazz thing in my first year! She is so lovely and supportive of course, but even more importantly she had such a great impact as a musician and a teacher. I don’t mean it primarily in a “If she can do it I can do it”- sense, but probably more that it’s actually very inspiring to be presented with female role models that are on a level that feels unattainable, and that one can really be in awe of. I will also always be grateful to have had lessons with the wonderful late Tina May. Sara Colman is another brilliant musician, composer and singer who has inspired me a huge amount!
UKJN: Do you think that opportunities for women in jazz have improved since you began your career?
CG: I do, but I still think there’s a long way to go. My sense is that there are for sure more female identifying instrumental musicians around and really making a mark on the scene, which is very exciting to see and hear. There’s also great online platforms like Women In Jazz Media, along with more female reviewers, promoters and DJ’s appearing on the jazz circuit.
UKJN: If you could suggest one thing to improve the cause of Gender Equity in jazz, what would it be?
CG: More women in all levels of jazz education, and particularly in leading roles within higher jazz education would be a great thing. I think and hope that this is getting better and better, but I still perceive the conservatoire jazz faculty sphere to be quite male-dominated.
UKJN: What advice would you give to your younger self moving to the UK to begin a music career?
CG: “Don’t do it!” haha. No, but I would probably say try to just enjoy the amazing creative buzz and privilege of being around so many incredible musicians! Be prepared to resist the tendency to get stuck in comparing yourself to other people, and then being blocked by fear that you will fall short. Remember ultimately it’s all supposed to be about the fact that nothing brings joy and spark to your life like making music together does!
UKJN: This is an interview for IWD. What does that mean for you?”
CG: I’ve always been a feminist. I have a very strong and highly capable mother who really made an effort to raise her two sons and one daughter (me!) to strive for awareness and openness when it comes to questions around equality, and I think we do need these occasions to highlight specific systems of inequality – patriarchy being a big one!
