Wilma Baan: The Great City

Born in the Netherlands, Wilma Baan’s musical career began at the tender age of 3, humming herself to sleep with parts of the Brandenburg Concertos – a serious side effect of being spoon-fed JS Bach and Miles Davis in equal amounts from the moment she was born. She sang with various jazz ensembles and performed at jazz clubs and festivals, including the North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague, where she met vocalists Ernestine Anderson and Sarah Vaughan.

After bringing up a family, which included spells in Oman, Brunei & Greece, Wilma finally settled in the UK. A chance opportunity to perform with singer/pianist Joe Stilgoe, followed by a series of dates with pianist Alex Hutton, reignited the spark for jazz music before the pandemic brought everything to a grinding halt.

Undeterred, she began to plan a debut album. Producer Claire Martin introduced Wilma to pianist/arranger Graham Harvey and the result, So Nice was released in 2021 to much critical acclaim.

Not done yet, Wilma set about choosing a further 12 songs that had deeply moved her and sustained her love of the jazz repertoire over the years and approached Claire and Graham again. In 2022, she recorded Look At Me Now! in the idyllic setting of QuietMoney Studios on the South Coast.

Wilma’s rich, mellow tone, impeccable timing and elegant delivery will captivate lovers of vocal jazz, The American Songbook and of first-class musicianship. Light and shade, nuance, charm, depth, maturity, and warmth… Look At Me Now! has it all!

Tonight Wilma will be treating the audience to a collection of delightful Jazz and Brazilian compositions, some of which focus on the world’s Great Cities. Wilma Baan will be joined by a trio of wonderful musicians – Graham Harvey (piano), Jeremy Brown (bass) and Matt Skelton (drums) with very special guest, guitar giant Nigel Price, joining for a couple of tunes.

“An excellent album by a very good singer who deserves to be heard by a wide audience.” – Jazz Journal

“The rough-hewn beauty of Baan’s voice is an ideal match for the hard-won wisdom that fills the phrasing of the stories she so expertly tells.” – Bistro Awards

“Immaculate arrangements, interesting song choices, elegant vocals, there is a lot to like here.” – All About Jazz

“She understands the material so well and has such affection for it… A crucial part of her appeal.” – Jazzwise Magazine (Live Review)

“An utterly engrossing collection” – ★★★★ Jazzwise Magazine