Ahead of the Great Estate Festival which takes place at Scorrier House in Cornwall over the Jubilee Bank Holiday Queen’s extra long Coronation thingy weekend, we chatted to a wonderful artist called JAZZ URELL. We covered loads of topics including musical influences, their humble beginnings into the world of music and their dream festival lineup, for all of this and more, read on….

Please tell me a bit about you….

My name is Jazz Urell! My band name is simply my real name, yes, putting “Urell” out there isn’t that catchy but my mum likes it, and if I can scar it onto someone’s memory, that’s good enough for me! I’m a singer/songwriter, I play guitar and sing from the heart.  In the day to day, I am an elderly uni student, trying my hand at Equine Science, because being a generic cowboy wasn’t enough, I needed to back it up with scientific yeehaw’s and credentials.  

When did you start your musical journey? 

I loved singing at home as a child and decided to enter a school talent show in 2010, I sang ‘Beautiful Disaster’ by Kelly Clarkson, and a disaster it was, it was all downhill from there. I went on to study music at college where I met some amazingly talented people, some of whom have gone on to become successful musicians, my tutors were fantastic and they really gave me the confidence I needed to continue. 

You're based in Cornwall; do you have to travel in order to enjoy live music?

Yes and no, we have a lot of fantastic venues for local artists, mainly in the Falmouth and surrounding areas but again opportunities are limited. As for big shows we’ve got to travel to cities, we do however have the Eden Sessions but you gotta’ be the fastest quick drawer in the west to get those tickets!

What style of music do you play?

Previously I have been referred to as “a goth who plays country”. I go for Country/Americana but it’s hard to pinpoint, I have a lot of different vocal influences from heavy rock, Soul, and Country so I tend to label it “Y’allternative”.

Who would you say are the band's musical influences?

Dolly Parton for one, her vocal control is intense, and she has sounded consistently amazing throughout her whole career which is rare. I certainly take a lot of inspiration from Beyonce, and surprisingly Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden) and Paul Stanley (KISS) for their almost operatic tenor range. 

Do you know what day/time/stage you're playing at the Great Estate Festival?

I am playing at 12pm Sunday on the Cornish Orchards acoustic woodlands stage! 

What can the audience expect from your live show?

I play a mixed bag of soulful country, although I may evoke the odd tear-jerker, there is the occasional bopper! I implore you to give me a try, sometimes allowing yourself to be vulnerable can be a weight off your shoulders. Come relax with me and share stories for each song spins its own tale.  

The bill is looking pretty good for this year, who else would you recommend the festival goers make a beeline for over the weekend?

I highly recommend Laura & The Jazz Capsule playing at 6pm on Sunday, they are a 40’s inspired duo with incredible talent. Their romantic dynamic is captivating, and certainly one to watch with a gin (or two). 

There seem to be more Cornish festivals popping up all over the county these days, what is it about them that keeps people coming back year after year?

Cornwall has so much talent! And the county itself is beautiful, plus we have all the home-brews you could want these days, why go anywhere else?! 

Tell me a funny story about a festival/show that you've attended in the past....

There are far too many to pinpoint, I mainly just love the fact that people with very normal lives and serious jobs congregate for a weekend of freedom. This was beautifully demonstrated by a man at download festival dressed head to toe in beer cans, who I must add went by “Captain Carling” having a very serious conversation with his dentist on the phone. 

Give me 3 bands or artists that you would like to headline at your own festival (you can choose ANY band/artist dead or alive)

To choose on the spot is near impossible, but it’s going to be Dolly Parton, Black Sabbath, and my friend’s band Tiger Empress, I know I’d go!

Please tell me about any new music that you have in the pipeline and when can we expect to hear it?

I am back to the writing desk so to speak; I have a few songs ready to record in the near future so do watch this space! I will also be making some more gig announcements over the coming months! You’ll be able to see them on my socials. 

Lastly, tell me your top three festival survival tips? 

1. Toilet roll please, all of it, steal your mums whole airing cupboard because come 6pm your options will be limited and after that interesting looking kebab earlier in the day, you’re gonna need it. 

2. A rain poncho. I know it’s not cool, and it ruins your outfit, but it will most likely rain, it’s Cornwall! After hangover day two, it hides the fact you couldn’t be bothered to change out of your pyjamas. 

3. But most importantly, take care of your friends, mental health is extremely important, and ensuring everyone is hanging in there okay ensures a better time for all. 

We’d like to thank Jazz for sparing her time to chat to us and wish her every success for the future. If you’re attending The Great Estate Festival, catch her set on Sunday at 12pm (midday) on the Cornish Orchards Acoustic Woodlands stage. If you’re STILL to get tickets, CLICK HERE now to secure what they have left….

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