For the young American Jazz Singer, Madeleine Peyroux, it all began with the release her debut album, Dreamland in 1996 when she was hailed by critics as one of the year’s breakthrough artists. Time magazine said the album represented “the most exciting…vocal performance by a new singer”. The next milestone came in 2004 when Peyroux released Careless Love, an album which sold over a million copies. Several more critically acclaimed discs followed over the next decade, and as her career took off, Madeleine toured extensively.
Madeleine Peyroux’s vocal style is most often compared with that of the famous blues singer, Billie Holiday (1915-1959), but she cites a number of other classic influences, among whom are Bessie Smith, Patsy Cline, Édith Piaf, Leonard Cohen, and Bob Dylan. Peyroux’s voice is soft, sultry and melodious, evocative and slightly husky. Singing to the strains of her guitar, Madeleine creates an intimate and relaxing jazz club atmosphere, drawing the listener into the unfolding mood-stories of her songs, whether they are interpretations of old favourites like Leonard Cohen’s entrancing Dance me to the End of Love, or new pieces of her own composition.
