It’s always a pleasure to talk to Juliet Kelly, even if it’s via email only like for the jazz-not-jazz interview about her new and highly impressive album Delicious Chemistry. Read on to find out more about her change in sound, how she met Courtney Pine and what Nina Simone means to her.

Q: The sound is the most obvious difference between your debut and Delicious Chemistry. Why did you move away from the more traditional jazz sound to an earthier and sometimes folksy sound?

Juliet Kelly: I didn’t consciously go for a change in sound. I think any change comes from the fact that I’ve been listening to - and enjoying - so many different types of music lately. Also some of the songs from Aphrodite’s Child (my debut album) were written quite soon after leaving the jazz course I was on where I had been completely immersed in jazz. Before the course and since I’ve listened to many different kinds of artists including Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker, Sting, Soul II Soul, Massive Attack, Jamiroquai and more recently, Damien Rice, Coldplay, KT Tunstall, Madeleine Peyroux, Black Eyed Peas, Justin Timberlake, Outkast, Pink, Kelis and Maroon 5.

Q: Where do you see your progress and development as singer and songwriter on Delicious Chemistry compared to Aphrodite’s Child?

Juliet Kelly: I hope - and believe - that I’m improving as a singer and songwriter and moving closer to a place that’s true to my emotions and experiences whilst carving out a style that is unique to me and encompasses all of my many influences. Several people that have listened to my new album have mentioned that there is a real progress in the songwriting as well as the peformance - all I want is to be able to keep getting better and better!

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