Personnel:
Gloria Stewart (vcl), Manfred Burzlaff (vib), Bob Degen (p), Michael Bahner (b), Michael Dennert (d)
Reference: FSRCD1161
Bar code: 8427328611619
Gloria Stewart (1926-1974) arrived in Barcelona in the summer of 1959 from her native New York with a modest career as a singer. After performing in the coastal town of Sitges, she settled in Barcelona and began singing with The Jazz Brothers at the clandestine club Jack's, which quickly became a jazz hotspot until its closure.
In early 1960, she joined the lineup at Jamboree, where she continued performing with The Jazz Brothers as the club established itself as the city's most important jazz venue. Before long, Gloria became known as Barcelona's jazz muse. She performed with prominent local musicians such as Tete Montoliu and took part in the film 'Juventud a la intemperie' (1961).
In 1962, the murder of a businessman shook the jazz scene. Some of those involved were regulars at Jamboree, and Gloria was arrested on suspicion of complicity. Although she was exonerated, she was forced to leave Spain in January 1963 due to issues with her residency papers. She moved to Berlin, where she recorded her only album with vibraphonist Manfred Burzlaff's quartet. Later, she performed in London and joined the cast of the musical 'Hair' in 1968.
In 1971, Gloria returned to Spain and retired in Ibiza, where she lived until her passing in 1974. These were her only recordings, showcasing a singer with a distinctive vocal personality, emotional depth, and impeccable taste. For those who remember and admire her, this rare album is a long-awaited treasure. For new listeners, it is a remarkable discovery—an invitation to rediscover this lost voice of jazz and experience the warmth and elegance of Gloria Stewart's artistry.
—Jordi Pujol
