Biog and Reviews:
‘Magnetic’- The Observer
Japjit Kaur is a prolific singer-songwriter and actor. Her work includes the multi award-winning play ‘NIRBHAYA’ directed by internationally acclaimed playwrite/director Yael Farber, ‘The Jungle Book‘ directed by award winning Liam Steel (Les Miserables) ‘The Empress‘ at the RSC, critically acclaimed ‘Rakshasa‘ Svara Kanti’s debut album (released May 2013), ‘Wah! Wah! Girls‘ for Sadlers’ Wells and World stages, ‘All in good time‘ Studio Canal (feature film), ‘Much Ado Ado About Nothing‘ at the RSC and ‘Rafta Rafta‘ at the RNT. Japjit has also toured nationally and performed internationally. She has recorded and written on several critically acclaimed albums with award winning musicians and composers.
Rafta Rafta, Royal National Theatre’s Olivier Award Winner Play
“On the National Theatre’s production of Rafta Rafta, Japjit Kaur was an inspirational musical director and performer, and an enormous part of the show’s success.” Nick Hytner
“I worked with Japjit twice – on the musical Wah! Wah! Girls (Sadlers Wells/Theatre Royal Stratford East 2012) and my play ‘The Empress’ (Swan Theatre Royal Shakespeare Co. 2013). She has the voice of melted honey and the sunniest disposition. Always pitch perfect, always professional and hard working, audiences were absolutely wowed by her performance. As well as singing, Japjit acted and danced in my plays and had a great presence on stage. I wouldn’t hesitate to work with Japjit again. She is a hidden gem.” Tanika Gupta MBE
” Japjit Kaur has a voice like honey. Pure and fluid, it drips from her like a sweet taste of India and creates magic wherever it lands. I have been lucky enough to work with Japs on two projects, ‘Wah! Wah! Girls’ for World Stages and ‘The Empress’ for the RSC. A wonderful team member and positive energy, Japs wove physically and musically throughout the productions. Her glamour, charisma and artistry created a spellbinding layer of meaning and wonder which took my breath away”
Emma Rice, Kneehigh Theatre
Reviews
Nirbhaya*****, Assembly Hall Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2013. Winner of Amnesty International Freedom of Speech Award, Fringe First Award and Herald Angels Award.
“Japjit Kaur, as the palely outfitted Pandey who tiptoed through the action, singing softly, was magnetic.” The Guardian
“An ethereal Pandey haunts this piece, as Japjit Kaur begins by crossing the stage in a white salwar kameez shimmering with light, and sings throughout as each woman tells her story.” Exeunt magazine, Billy Barrett
India Today by Gayatri Jayaraman
The Jungle Book*****, West Yorkshire Playhouse
“beautiful singing by Japjit Kaur” Jonathan Brown, The Independent
“..wonderful musical performances by the beautiful vocalist Japjit Kaur..” Public Reviews, Laura Stimpson
‘And whilst vocalist Japjit Kaur remains in the background, she is truly one of the stars of the show, helping to vary the pace and add to the atmosphere.‘ Sophie Mei Lan, Morley Observer
Rakshasa***** by Svara Kanti 2013
‘I dare you to not be haunted and even enthralled by the vocals of Japjit Kaur‘ Brian Wigman, Classical Net
“The most exciting aspect for me is that the album, which is out now, features the vocals of Japjit Kaur, who I believe is one of the finest singers in the world.” Eastern Eye, Asjad Nazir
“Japjit Kaur’s vocals are outstanding and exquisite…. Kaur’s vocals are most impressive and exquisite on both the Osborne and the Korde, including some very virtuosic Sargam (the Indian equivalent of Sol-Fa).
….The virtuosity of the players and the singer is exquisite and a delight in itself. There is nothing to fault on this brilliant, monumental album. Rakshasa is above all a work of exquisite beauty. Its charm is irresistible and should cast its spell on not only the contemporary classical music connoisseur but also the more serious ‘world music’ aficionado. This is an album to just fall in love with, and a must have.” Rainlore’s World
“Nigel Osborne’s bold The Five Elements never feels compromised, made more alluring by Japjit Kaur’s impeccable, idiomatic vocal line…Punjabi folksongs are beautifully done, Kaur’s vocals adding extra authenticity.” The Arts Desk, Graham Rickson
‘Beautiful voice’ – BBC
Svara Kanti
‘Japjit Kaur’s voice cut across, its quality pure and almost childlike in its narrowness and lack of vibrato, as if the tone was all made in the mouth, bypassing the lungs, chest and throat altogether. The combination was both haunting and lulling and was unlike anything I had ever heard before. “Wow”, whispered Sabri as he bowed one final icy beam of sound before gently placing the waterphone back on the ground….A number of arranged Punjabi songs also featured, which provided an opportunity for Japjit Kaur to show off the many different qualities to her voice. In ‘Main tenu yaad aavanga’, she sang beautifully, the notes being pure but each phrase starting and ending ever so softly and hushed on a breath, giving the whole song an honest, human feel. Her masterful slurs made me feel the same sense of warm nostalgia that I get while listening to song recordings from India’s early, sunny days of decolonisation. The final piece of the concert proper (a standing ovation and an encore followed) was another song arranged by Thacker, ‘Kahnu Marda Chandariya Chanka’. The lyrics warn men to be kind to women, and this could be felt in Kaur’s stronger voice, less like a child’s this time and more like a young lady’s.-‘ United World Radio by Hedd Thomas
“…Kaur’s vocals were quite something to behold. Her voice took on added self confidence, the strutting and insistent tone melding beautifully with the song’s quicker tempo. Following the second interval, it was clear that we were in presence of four exemplary performers.” –The Shetland Times 2011
“But the jewel in the crown was the beautiful voice of Japjit Kaur, transporting us through the Love Songs of the Punjab into the modernist Anusvara 6th prism by Shirish Korde.” Ross-Shire Journal by JL
“Japjit Kaur’s silvery singing was an attractive feature of the music here and even more so in Punjabi love song which followed….The two yound Indians were particularly looking forward to hearing the song Tu Hi Re by A.R Rahman and sure enough Japjit Kaur’s singing once more hit home.” King’s College Chapel by Alan Cooper
“….I felt everything blossomed on the pieces where vocalist Japjit Kaur was involved….Perhaps the highlight was Nigel Osbourne’s composition, The Five Elenents. Vocalist Japjit Kaur gave the piece a vibrancy. Her controlled singing was what I imagine most of the audience will have been talking about on the way home.” The Journal by David Whetstone
“we were then joined by Japjit Kaur whose sweet harmonies, hand movements and sheer joy she displayed in her music making added another wonderful layer to the music on offer….the highlight of Svara Kanti for me was the work Anusvara 6th Prism for voice, guitar, tabla and violin…Japjit Kaur’s quickfire singing and Sarvar Sabri’s rapid delicate tabla playing producing a time of great excitement. The conclsion of the evening also included a thoughtful encore-a Panjabi love song beautifully sung by Japjit Kaur……Joined by classical violinst Jacqueline Shave, tabla player Sarvar Sabri and vocalist Japjit Kaur, this is unmistakeably the product of people at the very top of their profession…” Herald Scotland by Keith Bruce