Tess Hirst

Her work, especially through her association with the pioneering London based label Jazz Re:freshed, has been pivotal in highlighting the evolution of jazz as not just a genre, but a medium for storytelling, empowerment, and change.

2026 has seen Tess return to the stage with renewed purpose. Her performance at PizzaExpress Live will feature the debut of brand new material, giving audiences a rare opportunity to hear these songs before they are released.

Tess Hirst is a singer-songwriter, composer and performer whose distinctive voice brings together jazz, soul and folk influences, underpinned by a deep commitment to storytelling and social commentary.

A graduate of Leeds College of Music, Tess focused her studies on performance, lyricism and composition. Whilst there, she recorded backing vocals for the New York Dolls' final album, an experience that led to a formative period in Los Angeles, where she further developed her songwriting craft. She later completed a Master's degree in Ethnomusicology at SOAS University of London, specialising in Cuban and Atlantic African music. During her studies, she undertook research into the economy of London hip hop, working alongside acclaimed artists Awate, Lowkey and Reveal Poison, all of whom have influenced her own creativity.

In 2015, Tess independently released her debut EP, Love's Sunday, overseeing every aspect of its production, composition and promotion. The project demonstrated her entrepreneurial and artistic spirit, with several of those early compositions later licensed by BMG.

In 2019, Tess joined forces with award-winning bassist and composer Daniel Casimir to release These Days on pioneering London label Jazz Re:freshed. Building on their successful collaboration on Casimir's critically acclaimed 2017 EP Escapee, which Tess co-wrote and featured on, These Days marked their first full-length release as a duo. The album was selected for Jazzwise's Beginner's Guide to the New Jazz Generation and featured in Love Supreme's Top 10 Albums of 2019. The pair followed up with These Days in These Ways REMIX EP in 2020, expanding their sound with a more energetic and contemporary direction. Their six-piece band was scheduled to appear at major events including Love Supreme Festival, Jazz Re:freshed's SXSW showcase in Austin, Texas, and performances in Germany, before the Covid-19 pandemic forced cancellations.

Undeterred, Tess received support from MOBO Help Musicians, Help Musicians UK and the prestigious PRS Foundation Women Make Music Fund. In 2021, she recorded her debut solo album alongside some of the UK's most celebrated jazz musicians, including Richard Spaven, Daniel Casimir, Sarah Tandy and Tomorrow's Warriors String Quartet, String Ting.

Released in 2023 on vinyl and digital formats, HERStory established Tess as one of the UK's most compelling new voices in contemporary jazz. Exploring themes of womanhood, identity and liberation, the album received widespread support from Jazz FM, Gilles Peterson, Jazzwise, Spotify and BBC radio, and was praised for its distinctive blend of lyrical depth, soulful vocals and modern jazz sensibilities.

A captivating and experienced live performer, Tess has appeared at some of the UK's most iconic venues, including Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, the Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall, Abbey Studios, The Jazz Café and the 606 Club, as well as international stages such as Moods Jazz Club inBIOGRAPHY DETAILS Zurich and We Out Here Festival. Her performances are celebrated for their intimacy, honesty and powerful connection with audiences, confirming her reputation as one of the most exciting voices emerging from the UK's jazz community.