Flora puts her soul into singing. Influenced by vocal jazz, urban R&B, and Indie Pop, Flora has a strong stage presence and an agile, emotive voice that captivates audiences wherever she performs. She isn’t afraid to push the boundaries; delivering a comedic or seductive twist to a song.

Described as both a “little-known vocal treasure” and “one of the rising jazz talents” in BC, Flora is ready to step into a bigger spotlight. Her most recent CD “Insight” was met with enthusiasm from critics and fans, and she’s been busy performing ever since! Working with co-producers Rick Kilburn and Peter Berring, “Insight” appeals to a wide audience with its groovy mix of standards and original music influenced by Latin jazz, and Soul/R&B.

Released in July 2008, Flora played shows in her 3 BC “hometowns”: Vancouver (where Flora went to music school), the north Okanagan (where Flora grew up), and Nelson (where she lived for many years). She was invited to play at both the Kaslo Jazz Fest and Rare Earth Jazz & Blues Fest in Vernon that August. Flora then embarked on a Western Canadian tour with songstress Monica Lee: playing 9 shows over 2 weeks in 3 provinces.

Flora was nominated for Best Jazz Artist of the Year by the BC Interior Music Awards in 2008. She was also awarded a touring grant from the Kootenay Cultural Alliance via the Columbia Basin Trust. In 2009 she was featured on 2 CBC radio shows: Hot Air with Paul Grant, and North by Northwest with Sheryl McKay.

Concert highlights from 2010 are Flora’s performance at Edmonton’s prestigious Yardbird Suite in March, and at the Salmon Arm Roots & Blues in August. Currently, Flora is working on an all-original EP, intended for release in summer 2011. Now relocated back to Vancouver, more people will be hearing about this unique talent.

Press

Flora Ware receives GrIndie Award from RadioIndy
-Diane and the RadioIndy Review Team

Highly talented in the arts, singer/songwriter Flora Ware reaches well beyond the roots of jazz with her smooth vocal style on her latest album Insight. Ware’s voice is impressive with pure and polished clarity, yet there is a wonderful silky and sultry taste to it. She projects her voice with clean articulation only to be complemented by the dynamic and well balanced instruments.

Modeled for a night club scene with a soft and subtle atmosphere…Insight is an album that has the versatility to mix jazz with R&B and pop with progressive, modern touches. This treasure of exquisite songswill have listeners wanting more of this gifted artist, and is an album well worth listening to..... Insight review on JazzReview.com -Brenton Plourde

Picture your home as a night club setting. Now picture who you would have on your stage singing at your night club home setting. Would it be Ella? Would it be Nina? Would it be Sarah? Canadian Flora Ware from British Columbia could make a case for being a choice with her second album Insight.

Ware has the silky night club sound down pat, but also incorporates some pop melodies…and she is at home with this. There are elements of the traditional jazz female vocalist in Ware’s delivery, but there are also elements of a pop delivery and it works on this album.

Writing or co-writing on five of the ten songs on this album also gives Ware another avenue to express herself. Her lyrics and sensibility and delivery shine though. To give you an insight on what your home night club could sound like, Ware is where you may want to start...... Gig review in The Weekender (Nelson, BC)-Bobbi Barbarich

Though her roots are in jazz, her talent reaches beyond, and she slips seamlessly like scotch over ice into R&B and pop music, while never leaving her pure, silky, and dynamic style. Beside guitarist Cliff Maddix, Ware sits calmly under the warm lights and austere atmosphere of The Library.

The room is hushed but for Maddix’s strings and Ware’s effortless renditions of jazz standards. I can’t help but order myself another drink, sink back in my velvet chair and listen. Ware reveals bits of soul, a glimpse of diva and a subtle sprinkle of a gregarious performer we’re not likely to see this early in the evening. Keep an eye out for this wonderful local talent..... Insight review in BC Musician Magazine (Indie)

If you’re up for some time traveling, Flora Ware is the ticket you’ve been looking for. Once upon a time the Fender Rhodes piano was an important part of the ‘soul’ sound. With Insight you keep checking the year on the calendar- hardly anybody makes records this suave and voluptuously soulful anymore.

Bjork and Leonard Cohen are admitted influences, but to me she sounds like a cross between Alicia Keys, Diana Krall, Sade and Madonna, with Madge’s pop sensibilities. Cabaret jazz it is- sort of- but Ware is too diverse to be cornered like that- smooth, seductive soul is probably closer to the center of it.

She’s been described as Alicia Keys’ and Ella Fitzgerald’s lovechild, and Flora Ware’s music is as cool (in every sense of the word) as that indicates.

If I had to sum up Insight in one word, it would be ‘cool’… the Rhodes sounding keyboard textures, the muted solo trumpet, subject matter and melodic twists suggesting 70’s-era soul along with Nina Simone’s jazziness. I’m willing to bet the rent that she’s exquisite live too..... Insight review in The Morning Star (Vernon, BC) By Dean Gordon-Smith – Vernon Morning Star

Insightis music for dim lighting and calls for candles, red wine and a mellow, relaxed ambiance. This night-clubby album is the second recording from singer/songwriter Flora Ware. It is mood music with a slinky, sexy undercurrent.

This touch of mystery and an urbane beatnik aura is prevalent through the whole disc but seems especially strong on Beautiful Love and From Now On. Ware’s voice and songs are smoky smooth and tastefully restrained. This is due to an emphasis on unhurried phrasing and warm tone, and Ware blends sweetly with trumpet and fluegel horn, producing a languorous effect in Save Your Love For Me.

A jazz approach lingers on through these songs but seems more of a filter for material that is a blend of mature pop stylings and lounge-like grooves. These pop leanings and the use of electronic programming tend to create a Ray of Light- era Madonna effect on Feeling Good and How Did It Happen.

These are solid songs that stray into the contemporary pop/rock area. The low-key production adds a dark luster to the music and Ware’s uncluttered delivery is strong without the overkill that sometimes appears in R&B/jazz/pop singers. A gentle mood prevails on Ware’s Insight and the CD is a relaxed and sensuous little trip from the first song to the last. 

Music

Insight

This album marks Flora’s debut as a recorded songwriter, and features her original songs alongside modern renditions of favourite jazz standards. Co-produced by Rick Kilburn and Peter Berring, the final recording was done at Riverside Recording Studio in Burnaby, BC. The album also features Terry Townson on trumpet and fluegel horn, Jeff Younger on guitar, and Mary Kastle on Rhodes.

CLICK HERE for a FREE download of "Trying" by Flora Ware

Jazzflo

Flora’s debut CD from 2002, recorded while finishing the Contemporary & Jazz Music Diploma program at Vancouver Community College. CDs available for sale at live performances or by special request only.

Flora Ware Links

• Visit Flora's Website