Hold On

Rooted in gospel, but with a heart full of soul and a voice blessed with jazz, singer and songwriter Chanda Rule has been weaving stories through song, humming melodies and bending words since her childhood in Chicago. Her genre-defying voice has graced musical projects that include a collaboration with sax powerhouse Donny McCaslin, while she has performed as an opening act for the likes of Kamasi Washington, India Arie, Regina Belle and The Whispers. Chandas well-received 2019 debut solo album, Sapphire Dreams, was a lush compilation of original songs and creative spins on old favourites. Her follow-up effort, Hold On, is a combination of elegant and inventively arranged gospel and work songs on which Chandas African-American roots blend perfectly with European jazz virtuosos such as renowned trombonist and impresario Paul Zauner, trumpet rising star Mario Rom and Hammond magician Jan Korinek. These musicians aid Chanda in transforming the lush melodies and rhythmic influences of New Orleans into her own refreshing style, with the traditional values of the jazz lineage updated into impressive versions of this set of well-known standards. Sweet Emma, incidentally, was a renowned pianist and singer from New Orleans who regularly sang in the Preservation Hall. Nat & Cannonball Adderly dedicated their song Sweet Emma to her.