Australian-born songstress, composer and West End actress, Simone Craddock, has performed to major houses throughout Europe, America and Asia and now resides in London where she is proving to be a prominent name on the London jazz scene. Whether swinging with a big band at Cadogan Hall, fronting her quartet at Pizza Express Live or crooning by a baby grand Upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s, Simone has a captivating voice and presence which arrests any room.
Simone’s style and repertoire emerge from a thorough musical upbringing in jazz, blues, swing and soul. Her passion for jazz was ignited by the classics: Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Billie Holiday and her namesake, Nina Simone, but she continues to find inspiration in the contemporary, including Kurt Elling, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Melody Gardot.
She recently recorded her first original song with her jazz quartet and American horn section, Grooveline Horns, and is currently writing her debut original album.
“If you like beach-ready bossas, tearjerker ballads or just good old-fashioned medium swing numbers, she’s the girl for you…” Blues and Soul Music Magazine
“Exquisite… quite superb… everyone was on their feet, roaring for more…” Kind of Jazz