America’s jazz royalty has dwindled over the past decades with the deaths of such icons as Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald, but Nashville’s Kandace Springs is keeping that traditional sound very much alive. Brought to the attention of the recording industry by her father, a session musician himself, Springs’ immense vocal performances were soon noticed by the legendary jazz label, Blue Note Records. Eventually, even music icon Prince took note, inviting her to perform with him at Paisley Park for the 30th anniversary of Purple Rain. With the help of Rihanna producers Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers, and most recently Herbie Hancock producer Larry Klein, Springs fleshed out her now-distinctive artistic traits, uncovering her full potential as a jazz singer.
Directly inspired by the late Prince’s advice to do what comes naturally, Springs has now released the full-length follow up to her 2014 self-titled debut EP, Soul Eyes. The title track–which she also performed for us live in Studio 1A–highlights Springs’ vocal and piano sensibilities in a style that hearkens back to the jazz greats while reinforcing her own signature sound.
—Jack Anderson // host, Saturdays 6-10 a.m., producer, SoundCheck
