Nerissa Campbell
Nerissa Campbell (New York) draws on the sounds of traditional standards, the books of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the songs of Tom Waits and Joni Mitchell, the weight of depression and the lightness of being. Her songs alternately bop along with the zest of 1920s flappers and roil in the smoke of forgotten bars.
Where she came from….
Nerissa Campbell comes from an un-musical family and was extremely disappointed when her Mother sold her piano when Nerissa was 7. Two years later, after acing her recorder lessons, Nerissa got her Mum back by lugging home a French Horn. A musician was born. Learning early on the hardships of being a musician, Nerissa practiced endlessly in the family laundry, and carried her instrument (which was half her 9-year-old size) to school every day. She moved schools and switched to trumpet, which she was asked to practice in the back yard with the cabbages, then added flute, which she was allowed to practice inside as long it entailed a gripping rendition of Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin.
A school excursion to the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts when she was 14 sealed her decision to become a professional musician. After auditioning on her various instruments of choice, Nerissa was accepted into WAAPA majoring in vocals, of which she had no experience, but an immense love for. Destiny showed her the way!
"Campbell demonstrates an innovative vocal approach to lyrics. She shows great insight as a composer and her risk-taking as a vocalist is admirable and quite appealing." JazzNow
"Ms Campbell must be saluted for marking her debut with an all-original format.
That takes balls.
Something some of the most seasoned exponents are reluctant to do."
eJazzNews
"Paint Me Orange is incredible.. what a voice!.. and the musicians in support are superb.." Radioiojazz
“Paint Me Orange is a sophisticated fusion of laidback grooves and soulful sounds”
Scoop Magazine
“Nerissa’s music is filled with swooning, sexy, salient sounds. [Her] songs sustain a timeless quality and inventive depth” Zaffino
"Paint Me Orange is Campbell's calling to the world of Jazz -..the kind of songs you'd expect from singers in New York bars late at night.." the West Australian
"Nerissa Campbell [has] .. an unencumbered sound, good intonation and an earnest desire to 'say something' to her audience......she shows that hard work and imagination do pay off..." Helen Matthews – director – Fremantle International Jazz Festival