Polly Gibbons is a British jazz vocalist known for her rich, soulful tone, emotional honesty, and commanding stage presence. With a career that spans international tours, collaborations with top jazz musicians, and critically acclaimed albums, she has established herself as a standout voice in the UK and beyond. Her latest album, As It Is, marks a bold step into original songwriting and co-production, reflecting a more personal and expansive sound. In this interview, Polly shares insights into her creative process, the challenges of the industry, and her passion for making music that connects.
Interview with Polly Gibbons
1. What gave you the confidence to make your own album?
I’d spent years in jazz, surrounded by virtuoso musicians, and felt like no one would be interested in my ideas. But my friend Sarah Gillespie was mentoring women in creative fields and encouraged me to go for it. She’d ask things like, “What’s the worst that can happen?” and that really helped me shift my mindset.
2. Is the music industry still quite male-dominated?
Very much so. One of the reasons Sarah got into mentoring was realising that 82.7% of PRS for Music members are men. It’s not because women aren’t writing brilliant songs—it’s about confidence and taking up space.
3. What was the experience of making As It Is like for you?
It was really exciting. I co-produced it with James Pearson and found it such a positive experience. It made me realise I’ve got loads of ideas. Since then, I’ve co-produced for two other artists, which I’ve absolutely loved.
4. Do you always write at the piano?
Usually, yes. I only play a little, but it’s how I tend to write. Sometimes I use Logic and start with a beat—especially when I’m inspired by early ’90s hip hop—and build from there.
5. Do the lyrics or the music come first?
It varies. Sometimes I write down lyrics and revisit them later. Other times, I’ll be playing around with harmonies on the piano and start singing something that fits. It’s a mixture, really.
6. Do you worry about being influenced by other people’s music?
Not especially. My writing’s quite personal. Jazz has made me more experimental with melody and less bound by structure, so I think that naturally leads to originality.
7. Why do some songs get stuck in your head and others don’t?
The brain likes patterns and repetition. That’s a big part of how pop works—often with three chords in 4/4 time. You tweak a melody slightly and suddenly it feels like a new song.
8. How do you approach improvisation in jazz?
My favourite kind of singing is the sort that bypasses the brain and comes straight from the soul. You’ve got to know the chord changes, but it’s about listening, feeling, and responding to the band in the moment.
9. Do you change how you perform a song each time?
I try to, yes. Certain motifs crop up again, but when I feel I’m repeating myself, that pushes me to explore something new—especially on the piano.
10. Can you teach improvisation?
Some of it, yes. You can train your ear and understand theory, but for me, it only ever stuck when I was genuinely curious. I need to know why something sounds the way it does emotionally before I can care about the technical side.
11. Do young people still listen to jazz?
It’s hard to say. Jazz has a closer link to pop than classical does, which can make it more accessible. But attention spans are shorter now—getting people to sit and practise an instrument is getting harder.
12. Has AI affected the jazz world yet?
Yes, mainly on the composition side. People worry AI can generate something that sounds like Keith Jarrett or Erroll Garner. But I believe human beings are completely unique, and maybe AI will push us to dig deeper into that uniqueness.
13. What are you working on at the moment?
Yeah, I’m still promoting As It Is. It’s new as long as people haven’t heard it, right? It’s also not meant to be fad-related at all—I hope it’s the kind of album that will stick around for a while. I’m always writing, and right now I’m working on some new songs and string arrangements with James Pearson. We’re planning to film some of that with a string quartet to create new video content and share the direction my music is taking.
14. Are you moving away from jazz?
A little, yes. Jazz is always in me, but I’m pivoting more towards my own music—more soulful, bluesy and naturally gospel. It feels exciting to explore that side of things.
15. Do you keep a notebook for ideas?
I do, but it comes in waves. Life gets busy and admin takes over. But then there’s always this energy simmering underneath, ready to bubble up when I can sit down and write again.
16. What’s the most important part of making music for you?
It’s about being present and curious. Sitting at the piano, getting lost, letting the ideas come—like they do when you’re walking or in the shower. It’s essential for the brain, the soul, and the heart.
To experience Polly Gibbons’ music, you can stream her latest album, As It Is, on major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. The album is also available for digital download and on 12″ vinyl through her official website: www.pollygibbons.com.