Jazz Souled Out Sessions

Abi Farrell

In association with Shades of Soul Ltd

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Last Show: Friday 11 th February 2022

PizzaExpress Jazz Club (Soho)

Hailing from Oxfordshire, Abi Farrell was raised on a soundtrack of funk and soul. Influences from the likes of Aretha, Carole King and Chaka Khan are all present in Abi’s music but each song is brought into the here and now by her effortlessly pure voice and lyrical dexterity. After self-releasing her debut EP ‘The Only Way I Learn’ in 2019, a chance meeting with soul artist Nick Corbin (New Street Adventure, Big AC Records) resulted in the tracks ‘I Will See You Through’ and ‘Empowered’. Released on limited edition vinyl in 2021 on newly established soul label Big AC Records, the singles were produced by Mitch Ayling (The Milk) and received glowing reviews from Craig Charles (BBC 6 Music), Robert Elms (BBC Radio London) and Blues and Soul Magazine. Abi’s third single, ‘Don’t Follow Me’, a stunning, stirring social commentary on misogyny received an exclusive first play on BBC Radio London’s Robert Elms Show and was selected as Mi-Soul Radio’s One-To-Watch track of the week. 

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“Sounds good doesn’t she... very cool!”

Craig Charles - BBC 6 Music

Hailing from Oxfordshire, Abi Farrell was raised on a soundtrack of female-driven pop, funk and soul. Influences from the likes of Aretha, Carole King, Eva Cassidy and Chaka Khan may all be present in Abi’s music but each song is brought into the here and now by her effortlessly pure voice and lyrical dexterity. Following the release of her debut EP, ‘The Only Way I Learn’, in November 2019, Abi was named Richer Unsigned’s ‘Artist of the Week’ - “Abi’s control and vibrato of her incredible vocal tone is truly stunning”.  

At an East London jam In February 2020, a chance meeting with Nick Corbin (New Street Adventure, Lack of Afro, Big AC Records), sparked a songwriting partnership that would develop fruitfully over lockdown. A shared love of soulful music contributed to ‘Empowered’ and the co-written ‘I Will See You Through’, both of which attracted the attention of producer, Mitch Ayling (The Milk), who invited Abi and her band to record at Woods Lodge Studios in Essex. The songs were released either side of a limited edition 7” vinyl in 2021 and following on from their success, two new singles are set for release on limited 7” vinyl in 2022. The tracks received support and glowing reviews from the likes of Craig Charles (BBC 6 Music), Robert Elms (BBC Radio London), Eddie Piller (Totally Wired Radio), and Blues and Soul Magazine, who named her ‘an artist on the rise… a considerable talent’. 

Following an exclusive first play on BBC Radio London’s Robert Elms Show and being selected by Mi-Soul Radio as their One-To-Watch track of the week, Abi released her third single on Big AC Records, ‘Don’t Follow Me’, in November 2011. Don’t Follow Me’ is a stunning, stirring social commentary on misogyny that has captured the attention of all generations of soul listeners and will surely add to her burgeoning reputation amongst fans of soul, funk and great songwriting. As a rallying cry for gender equality, the song delivers a message of hope. Abi’s headline show at PizzaExpress Soho will see Abi perform with her 7-piece band and horn section. The show will follow a string of live dates in late 2021 and early 2022 including a sold out PizzaExpress Holborn, The Camden Chapel, and The Night Owl (London & Birmingham).