Musician and broadcaster honoured by University

A celebrated jazz singer and broadcaster has been honoured by the University of Wolverhampton.    ‌

Clare Teal was awarded an at a ceremony on September 21 2015.

Clare is a graduate of the University of Wolverhampton having studied music and graduating in 1994.

To date she has recorded and released 14 albums to public and critical acclaim. After signing to independent label Candid in 2001 and releasing three acclaimed titles, it was Clare’s first album for Sony Jazz which became her breakthrough record. Released in 2004, Don’t Talk topped the Jazz charts and entered the UK Top 20, garnering extraordinary plaudits and several awards.

A celebrated live artist, Clare has performed around the world. A career pinnacle for her was producing, presenting and performing her own Prom during the 2014 Proms Season at the Royal Albert Hall.

Clare, originally from Kildwick in North Yorkshire, has built a successful career as a broadcaster, presenting her own show on BBC Radio 2 featuring big band and swing music.

She said: “I am so grateful for the award and I’ve just been grinning from ear to ear since I heard the news. I keep having to pinch myself. As a graduate of the University it’s just great to be remembered.

“I had a fabulous time at the University of Wolverhampton and I do use a lot of what I learnt at University every day. It was a wonderful course - tailor made for someone like me. It has proved so helpful to me in my career.

“My message to graduates is never be afraid to try to follow your dreams or your ideas.”

Clare won British Jazz Singer of the Year in 2005 and 2007 and BBC Jazz Singer of the Year in 2006, Arts and Entertainment Personality of the Year in 2004 and 2011 Yorkshire Awards and a Gold Badge from BASCA (British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors) in 2011.

ENDS

For more information please contact James Allen in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322003.