"Benefiting from the mutual exchange"

The content on this page was translated automatically.

Jazz singer Cleo Steinberger takes a broad view of music - and wins the German Record Critics' Award with her debut CD

Despite her young age, she is now one of the most exciting newcomers among young European singers in the jazz and blues genres. Cleo Steinberger came into contact with both genres at an early age. Born in Hamburg in 1996, her mother enrolled her in a gospel choir as a child and her father, who plays the slide guitar typical of Mississippi blues, also introduced her to this style. Cleo's love of the "black" music of the North American South deepened when she moved to New Orleans with her family for six months at the age of 15, followed by further stays. In the stronghold of traditional jazz, she became acquainted with other musical influences and gained valuable stage experience - in small clubs as well as at major festivals. She was even the first German singer ever to perform at the legendary New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which has been taking place since 1970.

Ken Norris discovers Cleo's talent early on

The decision to enrol in jazz singing in 2015 instead of studying medicine, which she had also considered, was decisively influenced by Ken Norris, Professor of Jazz Singing at the HfMT since 2010. She first met him at the age of eight at a gospel workshop, which was repeated in 2014 at the Hamburg state competition Jugend jazzt, where she won first prize. He was able to convince her to perfect her great musical talent at the HfMT. Cleo has not regretted this decision. "With just under 50 students, we are only a small department. But I really like the intimacy and sense of togetherness that this creates. Although we are all very individual musicians with different musical preferences, we benefit immensely from each other through the exchange of ideas and criticism - especially as, unlike at many other music academies, there is no separation between instrumentalists and singers. Everything together contributes to an inspiring and new perspective on music."

Impressive musical partners and prizes

Cleo's interest in stylistic diversity is also reflected in his musical role models. These include jazz classics such as Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughn as well as artists who cross musical boundaries such as the successful folk-pop singer Eva Cassidy and singer/songwriter Lianne LaHavas. It is fitting that Cleo plays the violin and guitar and also explores the singer/songwriter genre. "I don't like to stick to one thing and allow myself a very broad view of music. I think this is also reflected in my band projects." First and foremost among these projects is her collaboration with the Jan Luley Trio, whose music reflects all the influences of American music history. And with more than considerable success: the debut album "Let them Talk", released in August 2017, was awarded the German Record Critics' Quarterly Award in the jazz category shortly afterwards.

The collaboration with pianist Günther Brackmann, who is at home in blues, jazz and soul, also suits Cleo's vocal versatility. His improvisational style and ability to communicate spontaneously with Cleo make every concert an exciting event. Last but not least, there is the duo CLEO & David Grabowski, a tribute to the jazz legends Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass, who interpreted jazz standards in a timelessly haunting and sensitive way on four studio albums between 1973 and 1986.

"Living with and from the music"

Cleo has currently taken a break from her studies to concentrate on her live performances. Among other things, she has two concert tours through Switzerland coming up. Anyone who wants to experience her captivating performance live in Hamburg will have the opportunity to do so on April 29 at Theater im Zimmer, where Cleo already performed regularly last year. Further dates can be found on her website at www.cleojazz.com. Cleo would like to complete her studies in October 2019. Cleo will then decide what happens next. "In the world we live in today, there is no absolute certainty when it comes to a job and career. What I know here and now is that my entire passion is music, and of course I will do everything I can to live with and from it."

Source: HfMT university newspaper "zwoelf" no. 22
Text: Dieter Hellfeuer
Photo: Christina Körte