Press

Mette Juul is releasing her seventh solo album on april 4th 2025.
The first single of four was just released on october 4th 2024.

“Mette Juul’s vocal input dominates ‘On Dragon Wings’ in a way you rarely hear these days but one which will immediately resonate with those who are familiar with the delivery of the likes of, say, Shirley Bassey or Elkie Brooks.”
Nordic Music Central.

Mette Juul – CELESTE

Critically acclaimed Danish jazz singer, songwriter and guitarist Mette Juul presents her 6th solo release, Celeste, on respected label Naxos-Prophone on November 10. A blend of personal interpretations of timeless American
classics as well as modern compositions and some original work written by Juul, Celeste is a collection creative storytelling through modern jazz. Joined by celebrated guitarist Mike Moreno and award-winning multi-instrumentalist Lars Danielsson whom also featured on Juul’s earlier EP New York – Copenhagen, Celeste marks Juul’s first big feat since 2020.

“I have wanted to further explore new musical areas with Mike and Lars. To use my vocals in other ways, to be inspired by their wonderful wealth of ideas and musical input in my storytelling.”

The result is a fresh body of music, unarranged until performed live in the studio, emerging spontaneously among peers.

Celeste translates to ‘heavenly,’ or ‘close to the heavens’. As such, the record offers a place to dream oneself away from the current and, sometimes, chaotic and intense world we live in. In a chamber music-esque setting, with new instrumentation including guitar, vocals, melodica, cello, and – yes – celeste, Juul, Moreno and Danielsson explore new ground together through a sound universe pushes forth the meaning of its lyrics. A captivating emotional journey through themes such as longing and searching for a simpler, more meaningful life is presented to listeners through different scenarios as in Northern Woods, nature offers a breather from the ratrace and modern life in a concrete jungle.

Moreno suggested including the American classic Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing, previously brought to grandiosity by great voices such as Andy Williams and Nat King Cole. “It was exciting to enter the song’s universe,” Juul elaborates, “referencing a time quite different from the one we now live in. I wanted to try and create a setting that exuded innocence, as a contrast, and to take on a slightly more modern take of the song.”

Reviews :

(German reviews below)

“Call is vocal charisma. Danish singer Mette Juul has an exceptionally intimate and unadormed voice” Downbeat

“The only other singer I can recall who achieved that same effect was the late Shirley Horn. Shirley, like Mette, could turn a swinger into a lovelorn ballad and vice versa”.  Lance Liddle – Bebop Spoken Here – august 2023.
“More beautiful than ever” Ivan Rod – GAFFA 5 stars
“this time, I think she stands out as one of the best jazz vocalists within the more “straight” vocal jazz in Europe” Jan Granlie – Salt Peanuts august 2023 Read review 

“I hennes arrangement, på de flesta av spåren, finns en hjärtligt intim och tidlös atmosfär, som jazzvokalist är hun varm och mjuk och en av de bästa, som går att finna” LIRA 2024

“Juul framfør melodierne med djup kaånslighet med sin behagelige varme stemme. Hun sjunger med en beherstad men samtidig naken och rörlig röst og har fuld kontroll över sin ton og och frasering, även musikken skifter karaktär” Orkesterjournalen – Patrik Sandberg.

“Beautiful Love’ whets the appetite for Mette Juul’s reverentially Norma Winstone-esque Celeste” Marlbank UK Read review
“a journey through her completely personal song Wonderland” Jazzpodium – Germany (Change)
“Frau Juul ist eine der ganz großen Vocaljazz-Entdeckungen der letzten Jahre”
“Phänominal” 6 star review Germany
“ihre stimmlichen Qualitäten sind über jeglichen Zweifel erhaben. Und ihre Songs haben eine musikalische und poetische Tiefe, die im schnelllebigen Musikgeschäft der Gegenwart allzu selten zu finden sind.” https://rudelbloggtjetztauch.wordpress.com/category/jazz/

“Ein absolut hörenswertes Album” (er-em-online)

“Traumwandlerisch bezaubernde Musik” (Hörerlebnis)

“Juuls Stimme […] ist eine wahre Ohrenweide” (Melodiva)

“Schöne, atmosphärische, lyrische Musik” (jazz-fun.de)

“Mette Juul überzeugt mit “Celeste” voll”. (Concerto)

“Mette Juul has a natural and sensitive way of singing that creates a warm and intimate atmosphere. Juul is singing with a deep connection to the listener” “a brilliant and wide-ranging use of her voice” Jazzrytmit – Finland

Download Presstext “Celeste” ENGLISH

Download Presstext “Celeste” DANISH

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Photos by: Robin Skjoldborg