On her third album, Kandace Springs (1989) follows the advice of her musical mentor Prince, who died in 2016: ‘Do what you are good at, don’t care about what people say and just play jazz. ‘
The Nashville-born vocalist and keyboard player experimented with her own songs and covers in the many musical styles she grew up with: country, soul, funk, hip hop, gospel, jazz and R&B. Springs’ voice sounds natural and accessible, but the singer has been able to resist the grinding machines of the commercial record industry and her sharp edges are still intact.
Pure jazz has not been Blue Note’s focus since the days of Norah Jones. Kandace Springs plays beautiful ballads on her albums, but those who had the privilege of seeing her live shows know that she really blossoms on stage. She plays Chopin on the grand piano as easily as jazz improvisations on her Wurlitzer. As soon as she starts singing she demands everyone’s attention and between the songs she jokes with her audience as an experienced stand-up comedian.
Springs latest album is meant as a tribute to the women who raised her musically. The choices she made show how broad her taste is: Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Roberta Flack, Bonnie Raitt, Astrud Gilberto, Lauryn Hill, Ella Fitzgerald, Sade, Lauryn Hill, Diana Krall, Carmen McRae, Dusty Springfield and Norah Jones.
Like many other musicians who presented their album recently, Kandace Springs would have preferred to play the newly recorded material live with her all-female band. Instead of traveling to Europe, she finds herself behind the keys and the webcam to reach her global audience. Her performances from her Nashville home are lively and uplifting and her voice sounds cheerful over the phone
How do you cope these days?
I am outside now, that’s why you hear the birds chirping in the background. It’s not too bad I have some hobbies. I keep in touch with my audience and interact with them on social media.
One of the most beautiful songs on your new album is ‘I Put A Spell On You’, which surprisingly starts with Beethoven’s Moonshine sonata. Was is your idea to combine those two pieces?
It sure was! I did a soundcheck before a show. I warmed up by playing Chopin, a bit of everything, Beethoven, Liszt and then the Moonshine sonata and then something hit me and I thought this is cool this sounds like the intro. It mixes things, classical stuff, soul and jazz together, it gives a modern twist.
David Sanborn’s saxophone solo really brings this song to a climax. Is this your most jazzy album yet?
We asked several jazz musicians for this album like bassist Christian McBride, trumpet player Avishai Cohen, tenor saxophonist Chris Potter and flutist Elena Pinderhughes. The tunes we play come from all kinds of genres, but the connecting factor is definitely jazz. Which is ironic, because Blue Note advised me not to make this album too jazzy.
You sing the song ‘Angel Eyes’ with Norah Jones and your voices mix very well. What does she mean to you?
Her album Come Away With Me (2002) inspired me to learn to play the piano and sing. I realized: This is what I wanna do! At first I limited myself to the piano, because I was too shy to sing. I met Norah Jones recently, more or less by accident, and I asked her if she wanted to join. We met at her home and tried several songs. In the end we chose for ‘Angel Eyes’. I play the Wurlitzer and Norah the Steinway. I couldn’t believe she was sitting right there. It was nerve-racking.
Strange Fruit is a poignant song about a dark period in the United States. You left out the other instruments except the piano, emphasizing the power of the song even more.
This song is kinda sacred you know. It’s a touchy song. It’s powerful, it’s beautiful, it’s ugly; all these words in one song. It has a long history behind it that I know well, because I grew up in the south. When Billie Holiday sang it in the 1930s, she asked her audience not to applaud and she left the stage in silence, in the dark. It is a timeless song and I think it is important that young people also get to know it.
Pearls is about a poor woman in Somalia. How can she sing Hallelujah in her miserable situation?
It was written by Sade. I have known the song for many years and it made me cry. I did some research and I think she is crying out to higher powers, even in her difficult situation or maybe because of her difficult situation. Whatever it is, it’s emotional and you feel it.
If you were to write a protest song yourself, what would it be about?
I am all about equality, all races, all genders. We are all equal. Music is a universal language. It brings us together. It strips everything and perches your soul immediately.
You are a visual artist as well
Yes, I am. I made drawings to some of my tunes. One of my favourites was a portrait of Prince, I called it: ‘The beautiful one.’ When Prince wanted to meet me, I came to Minneapolis, I gave it to him. Later I heard that my picture is still hanging on the wall in his lounge in Paisley Park. Isn’t that awesome?
‘I Put A Spell On You’:
‘Pearls’: