« Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, and Chopin may not be known for jazz standards, but, then again, they didn’t live long enough to meet Tessa Souter. A captivating singer whether performing standards or originals, Souter made a bold move with her latest album. She took some of the greatest melodies in the history of classical music, wrote lyrics to them, and performed them in jazz arrangements. Amazingly, it worked; these tunes feel like standards. Souter has enchanted sold-out crowds at three Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festivals. When she takes the stage at Lovin’ Cup, she will be accompanied by the excellent John Nyerges Trio.» (Ron Netsky / Rochester City Paper)
« The original melodies are all there to be heard, but the mood and interpretation are totally Souter, and all in the jazz idiom, expressing nuances of romance, love and intimacy.» (Victor L. Schermer / AllAboutJazz.com)
« A lovely voice, subtle creativity and a real skill at writing lyrics on this intriguing set.» (Scott Yannow / JazzIz Magazine)
« Tessa Souter is one of the most innovative vocal talents on the scene today and with Beyond The Blue both her prodigious vocal talents as well as her gift as a lyricist shine through … a vocal master class of classical melodies transferred with the very best in jazz sensibilities …. the very heights of honest artistic passion … as prime and as on point as vocal music, not necessarily jazz gets for the devotee that is looking for quality and something that touches the heart and the mind » (Brent Black / Critical Jazz)