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Tierney Sutton

8-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton has received a “Best Jazz Vocal Album” Grammy nod for every project she has released in the last decade. Known for her impeccable voice and imaginative treatments of The Great American Songbook, Sutton is heralded for her abilities as both a jazz storyteller and her ability to use her voice as an instrument. Her 12 recordings as leader have addressed themes such as materialism (“Desire” 2009), the pursuit of happiness (“On The Other Side” 2007), as well as paying tribute to the music of Bill Evans (“Blue In Green” 2002), Frank Sinatra (“Dancing In The Dark” 2004), and pop icon Sting (“The Sting Variations” 2016). Her 2013 Joni Mitchell tribute, “After Blue” featured keyboardist Larry Goldings, drummer Peter Erskine, jazz vocal legend Al Jarreau, and NEA Jazz Master flautist Hubert Laws.

In May 2016 Tierney was approached by legendary Director Clint Eastwood. The original score to his box-office smash, “Sully”, was created by Tierney Sutton Band pianist, Christian Jacob, The Tierney Sutton Band and Clint Eastwood. The end-title song “Flying Home” features music by Eastwood and lyrics by Tierney Sutton and JB Eckl. It is performed by Tierney Sutton and The Tierney Sutton Band.

When she is not performing, Tierney is in demand as both a studio vocal producer and vocal educator. In 2016 she worked with famed lyric soprano Natalie Dessay for Sony Classics’ “Pictures of America” and the soon to be released “Between Yesterday and Tomorrow”.

Tierney taught for over a decade at USC’s Thornton School of Music and spent 6 years as the Vocal Department Head at The Los Angeles College of Music in Pasadena, CA. She has also taught and mentored some of the finest new generation of singers including Gretchen Parlato and Sara Gazarek.

Tierney Sutton and Tamir Hendelman at the Jazz Forum

by Scott Lichtman
March 18, 2024

Tierney Sutton and Tamir Hendelman Jazz Forum Tarrytown, NY March 15, 2024 Tierney Sutton and Tamir Hendelman brought an expressive evening of voice and piano to the Jazz Forum in Tarrytown NY, March 15th, 2024. The overarching theme of the performance was “songs about Spring." There's a variety of reasons that every recording Sutton has made in the last decade has been nominated for a “Best Jazz Vocal Album" Grammy. Among these are ...

Profile

Tierney Sutton: An Instrumentalist’s Singer

by Mathew Bahl
August 22, 2023

"Jazz demands something of you," says Tierney Sutton. The Los Angeles based singer is discussing the challenge of selling complicated, improvised music in a culture addicted to simple, pre-packaged formulas. “Being barraged in the media teaches people not to engage, not to seek great art, not to listen with their own ears, not to see with their own eyes," observes Sutton. “Jazz is this theme and variations work, and if the person who's listening is not interested in ...

Liner Notes

Lorraine Feather's Language Turns A Witty Phrase

by Ken Dryden
March 31, 2023

I got to know Lorraine Feather through reviewing several of her CDs, amazed by her gifts as a lyricist and singer, who was equally at home with witty songs and tender ballads. I first met Lorraine when she was performing at the late lamented Manhattan club Danny's Skylight Room with pianist Shelly Berg. We would chat during IAJE conferences and I was delighted when she invited me to write the liner notes for this CD. This release stands the test ...

Album Review

Chris Walden: Missa Iubileum Aureum: Golden Jubilee Jazz Mass

Read "Missa Iubileum Aureum: Golden Jubilee Jazz Mass" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
August 30, 2022

First things first: there is no doubt that Chris Walden's reverential Missa Iubileum Aureum ("Golden Jubilee Jazz Mass") is beautifully written and wonderfully performed by the LMR Jazz Orchestra, St. Dominick's Schola Cantorum and cantors Kurt Elling and Tierney Sutton. Is it jazz? That is another question, one not so easily answered. While there are elements of jazz, they are incidental and generally overshadowed by the more doctrinal aspects of what is essentially an homage to devotion and piety. And ...

Album Review

Tierney Sutton: Paris Sessions 2

Read "Paris Sessions 2" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
August 24, 2022

Back at the tail end of 2012, Tierney Sutton found herself in a studio in Epinay Sur Orge, France, working comfortably alongside guitarist Serge Merlaud and bassist Kevin Axt (on acoustic bass guitar). The music they captured, released two years later as the Paris Sessions (BFM, 2014), instantly stood out as the most intimate jewel in the celebrated vocalist's sparkling discography. So it's with joy and a touch of surprise that now, almost a decade after that studio stay defined ...

In Pictures

Tierney Sutton with the Jae Sinnett Trio at Good Vibes

by Mark Robbins
June 15, 2022

No list of great female jazz vocalists would be complete without Tierney Sutton being on it. Whether she is interpreting the great American songbook, singing the beautiful songs of Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman, or paying homage to Frank Sinatra, Joni Mitchell, and Sting, Sutton pulls the listener into her world of fast swing and tender ballads. She can bring a smile to your face or a lump in your throat, depending on the song but either way you'll thank ...

Album Review

Tierney Sutton: Paris Sessions 2

Read "Paris Sessions 2" reviewed by Jim Worsley

by Jim Worsley
May 17, 2022

Time just scats on by when one is caught up in the wave of creativity that defines Tierney Sutton. How could it be that this enchanted vocalist is now presenting her fifteenth album? She left indelible footprints on her debut record, Introducing Tierney Sutton (A Records, 1997), breezing through as the leader of her caravan of wonder and possibilities. Sutton certainly has grown, as any artist would over time, but it was clear from the beginning that she knew who ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Tierney Sutton

Source: Michael Ricci
June 28, 2023

All About Jazz is celebrating Tierney Sutton's birthday today!

Performance / Tour

New York's Smoke Jazz Club Announces Line-up For July Including Miguel Zenon, Tierney Sutton, Ron Carter And More

Source: AMT Public Relations
June 5, 2023

Rated the #1 Jazz Club in New York City (Secret NYC), Smoke Jazz Club welcomes some of today’s leading artists to the stage during the month of July. Making their Smoke Jazz Club debuts are alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón, trumpeter Tony Glausi, and vocalist Tierney Sutton. Many jazz legends return to the Smoke stage including Ron Carter, Louis Hayes, Billy Harper, and more. Please scroll down for the complete schedule or visit SMOKEjazz.com. Thu-Sun Jun 29-Jul 2 Russell Malone Quartet ...
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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Tierney Sutton

Source: Michael Ricci
June 28, 2022

All About Jazz is celebrating Tierney Sutton's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Tierney Sutton

Source: Michael Ricci
June 28, 2021

All About Jazz is celebrating Tierney Sutton's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Tierney Sutton

Source: Michael Ricci
June 28, 2020

All About Jazz is celebrating Tierney Sutton's birthday today!

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Tierney Sutton

Source: Michael Ricci
June 28, 2019

All About Jazz is celebrating Tierney Sutton's birthday today!

Place our Musician of the Day widget on your website ...
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Performance / Tour

Eight-Time Grammy Nominee Tierney Sutton Debuts At Cafe Carlyle With Bergman, Legrand And Beyond, March 19-23

Source: Mouthpiece Music
March 4, 2019

Bergman, Legrand And Beyond— Tierney Sutton at the Cafe Carlyle, New York City Tierney Sutton, one of the premier vocalists in jazz today, will be making her debut appearance at Café Carlyle March 19-23. An eight-time Grammy nominee, Tierney Sutton has received a “Best Jazz Vocal Album” nomination for every album she’s released in the past decade. The New York Times describes her as having “a voice as pure and sparkling as mountain spring water,” and she has also been ...
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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Tierney Sutton

Source: Michael Ricci
June 28, 2018

All About Jazz is celebrating Tierney Sutton's birthday today!

In a world of overnight sensations, jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton’s success has come from the road less traveled. A decision in the mid ’90s to move to Southern California from her New England home resulted in a decade-long collaboration with her current band mates. A Wisconsin- born choir girl, unexposed to jazz until college, Tierney eventually found the best of the best—collaborators with their own impressive jazz pedigrees... Read more.

Place ...
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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Tierney Sutton

Source: Michael Ricci
June 28, 2017

All About Jazz is celebrating Tierney Sutton's birthday today!

In a world of overnight sensations, jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton’s success has come from the road less traveled. A decision in the mid ’90s to move to Southern California from her New England home resulted in a decade-long collaboration with her current band mates. A Wisconsin- born choir girl, unexposed to jazz until college, Tierney eventually found the best of the best— collaborators with their own impressive jazz pedigrees... Read more. ...
read more