JAZZ DIVA

• Source: Global Times
• [00:05 November 24 2009]
• Comments

By Vera Penêda

Standing center stage and wearing an indecently high pair of black heels, the jazz singer looked straight at her audience and asked "What do you think of my shoes tonight?" Jess Meider bought them especially to be taller on the night of her Divine album release.

People cheered loudly, but Meider really doesn't need stilettos. With the guitar and her soulful voice she's mighty tall on stage. At home, bare feet and without make-up on, Meider talked about the woman behind the diva and the inspiration behind her lyrics, ahead of her last show in town before she flies to her US tour.

Powerful voice

Blending shades of folk and jazz music, Meider stands out as a singer-songwriter in Beijing's low-key jazz scene. "I'd like to say it's high quality songwriting," she says. She sings Beijing-written tracks with poignant lyrics. "My melodies are memorable, and I make huge emphasis on lyrics that make sense, retain poetic integrity, and create a snapshot in time of a scene, an emotion or an instance," she adds.

But it's Meider's powerful voice and presence that echos and reverberates around the city's jazz nightspots. "I cultivate enjoyment on stage, and I include the audience as I go along. This seeps into the public as well. Even non-English speakers say that despite not understanding the lyrics, they get a tangible good feeling coming from us on the stage," the singer explains. "Join in for a night of goodness" is Meider's current invitation to her fans.