We are very proud to share the recent release of Musical Director David Hall and Programme Director Jennifer Maslin‘s first jazz and blues-inspired EP (March 2025).
Skylark is Jennifer and David’s first recording together and the outcome of a happy friendship and many performances here at Finchcocks. Jennifer and David met over six years ago delivering our residential music courses and have since then delighted our course guests with many an evening recital or jazz jam!
Alongside her work here as Programme Director, Jenny is also a professional singer, violinist and an accomplished singing teacher with a PGCert in Voice Pedagogy. David Hall is Head of Music at Twyford Prep School in Winchester and an FRCO organist with multiple music education books under his belt. The two have similar musical backgrounds and decided to combine their love of jazz to start this passion project!
Their three-track EP was released in March and will appeal to all lovers of easy listening jazz, blues and swing.
Jennifer said: “My dad gave us such a rich musical education from his own collection and piano playing. I grew up with Miles Davis, Billie Holiday and the Best of Blue Note on loop as a teenager and it definitely filtered through by osmosis – as well as a love for choral music, Chopin and The Police!”
Songs included in the EP are Skylark by Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer, All Blues by Miles Davis and Oscar Brown Jr., and I’m Beginning To See The Light by Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges, Harry James and Don George.
“I love singing Skylark,” Jennifer said. “The Kentish landscape really brings the song to life for me, especially when singing it at outdoor events like our Finchcocks Festival. I love sending my voice out across the view in front of me and connecting with the imagery and beautiful story behind it.”
“I love the freedom I have in jazz singing, pushing back against my perfectionistic tendencies exacerbated by (past) classical training, and forcing me to embrace mistakes and playful creativity.”
David’s versatility as both a classical and jazz pianist are jaw-dropping:
“I love playing jazz in small groups,” he said. “Jazz is all about spontaneity and communication – listening to each other and coming up with ideas on the spur of the moment. Listening to this EP will be the closest thing you can get to live music from the comfort of your own sofa.”
The EP is now live on all streaming platforms and available to purchase on Bandcamp.
Follow them on social media here:
- @JenniferMaslinMusic
- @davidhallpiano
We hope you enjoy it as much as us!