Polly Gibbons has forged a successful career on the international jazz circuit spanning two decades. Polly has been twice-nominated as “Best Jazz Vocalist” by the BBC and Jazz FM and compared to a female version of Gregory Porter by US magazine Downbeat.

 

While an accomplished jazz artist, Polly’s musical influences as a vocalist and composer began in childhood with roots in blues, soul, gospel and R&B – so much so that The Sunday Times described her jazz vocals as “vintage R&B with shades of Aretha Franklin”. Straight out of rural Suffolk, Polly arrived onto the London jazz scene at age 17, surprising audiences with her raw talent.

 

She has since performed at London’s Royal Albert Hall opening for George Benson and Gladys Knight, and had a residency at New York’s legendary Birdland Jazz Club. In London she is a regular at Ronnie Scott’s.

 

In 2014, Polly signed with Los Angeles-based Resonance Records, a testament to her growth as an artist, where she recorded three critically acclaimed albums. This led to an international tour, where Polly performed at venues and festivals across the USA, Europe and Asia, from Java Jazz in Indonesia to the Montreal Jazz Festival in Canada, securing her status as a seasoned, internationally acclaimed artist.

 

In autumn 2022, Polly fulfilled her long-standing ambition to record an album of all her original songs with “As It Is”. Recorded at The Old Jet studio in Suffolk, this album – her ninth – will be released in June 2023. “As It Is” is written, arranged and produced by Polly, and co-produced by long-time musical collaborator and artistic director at Ronnie Scott’s, James Pearson.

 

The album showcases Polly’s burgeoning skills as a pianist and songwriter, incorporating her grounding in jazz, soul and R&B that will resonate with Polly’s fans. With a fresh, unique take on this intersection of genres, ”As It Is” mixes heartfelt stories of personal struggle and resilience with Polly’s characteristic wit and grace.