New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Following an extensive UK tour opening for label mate
Gregory Porter last month, singer-pianist Kandace Springs has announced that she will support Porter once again next month in her hometown of Nashville (June 4), and along his run of West Coast tour dates including shows in Portland (June 16), Seattle (June 17) and Oakland (June 18). Kandace will celebrate the June 24 release of her debut album Soul Eyes (Blue Note) with shows June 23 at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles and June 28 at Joe's Pub in New York City. Watch Kandace perform "Soul Eyes" solo at Capitol Studios.
Kandace's April tour with Porter introduced her to over 50,000 UK fans and won her fans in the UK press as well, with London's Evening Standard calling her a "showstopper," and Blues & Soul magazine calling her "a once-in-a-lifetime discovery," adding that Soul Eyes is "an absolutely breathtaking debut from a future global superstar who sounds more like a veteran soul and jazz artist." While at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival to perform with
Jamie Cullum she filmed a special solo piano rendition of "Place to Hide" backstage, watch it here.
Soul Eyes was produced by Grammy-winner Larry Klein (Lizz Wright,
Melody Gardot, Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock) and touches on soul and pop while channeling her jazz influences as well as her Nashville upbringing. Soul Eyes is available for pre-order now on CD or digital download. Fans who pre-order the download will immediately receive the smoldering title track featuring trumpeter Terence Blanchard.
The eleven songs contained on Soul Eyes are a mix of Kandace's originals and co-writes as well as the jazz classic "Soul Eyes" plus songs by
Jesse Harris, Shelby Lynne, Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken, War, and others. The album features Kandace playing piano alongside an illustrious cast of musicians that includes Blanchard, guitarists Harris and Dean Parks, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, organist Pete Kuzma, bassist Dan Lutz, and percussionist Pete Korpela.
Kandace's self-titled EP in 2014 led to performances on Late Show With
David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live and The
Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, as well as appearances at the Afropunk and Bonnaroo festivals. Kandace won over fans including the legendary Prince, who became a mentor to Kandace and even invited her to perform with him at Paisley Park for the 30th anniversary of Purple Rain.
Kandace was dubbed a "suave songstress" (Wall Street Journal), "a versatile and vital artist" (Afropunk), and "a vocal force to be reckoned with" (Okayplayer). Essence Magazine named her a New & Next artist and Interview Magazine made her their
Music Discovery, writing that while "Hearing the word jazz might revert a listener's thoughts to the music of yesteryear...Up-and-comer Kandace Springs aims to change this notion. The singer, songwriter, and pianist blends elements of soul, jazz, and pop, producing a unique and modern twist on the genre that appeals to young and old listeners alike."
KANDACE SPRINGS - U.S. TOUR DATES:
June 4 - Polk Theater - Nashville, TN **with Gregory Porter
June 14 - Rialto Theater - Tucson, AZ **with Gregory Porter
June 16 - Revolution Hall - Portland, OR **with Gregory Porter
June 17 - Moore Theater - Seattle, WA **with Gregory Porter
June 18 - Fox Theater - Oakland, CA **with Gregory Porter
June 19 - Harris Center for the Arts - Folsom, CA **with Gregory Porter
June 23 - Hotel Cafe� - Los Angeles, CA
June 28 - Joe's Pub - New York, NY
