The Olivia Cuttill Quintet’s new album, …And Writing And Singing And Tunes To Be Swingin’, is an engaging lens into a unique modern take on jazz, where groove meets improvisation, washed over with lyrical storytelling and style. If you have never been sure about jazz, the album is a perfect point of entry into the possibilities of a musical genre that always surprises and never stands still. You can read Louder Than War’s review of the album here.

Olivia Cuttill was the recent recipient of the Martin Hummel Award at the 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards, a special award this year to commemorate the life and work of Martin Hummel the CEO of Ubuntu Music.

Having just completed a 10 date UK/European tour to celebrate the release of the album, Louder Than War asked Olivia Cuttill to share some thoughts and commentary on the album, music making and writing within a jazz idiom, and style.

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LTW: Can you describe what a listener new to your music can look forward to hearing on your new album?

Olivia: …And Writing And Singing And Tunes To Be Swingin’ dreams to be a traditional jazz and blues songbook. When people hear it for the first time, I hope it feels nostalgic. At least for me it does, as it’s inspired by the greats: Nina Simone, Randy Newman, Ray Charles. The album is full of blues and swing, thoughts, feelings and stories, family and friends. It even features three generations of Cuttills!

The new album’s title, …And Writing And Singing And Tunes To Be Swingin’, seems to convey a really joyous vibe. How did the title come about?

When naming my albums I like to choose a lyric from one of its songs, a line which sums it up nicely or has a good ring to it. This title does both! The line was extracted from Busy and perfectly sums up everything I love about music. My previous album, entitled The Whole Damn Plan, was taken from Insurance Man. Having just graduated, the title was a summary of what music was to me: making music is the whole dam plan of it all.

You have a well-established and gifted musical quintet. What do those musicians. bring to your music?

I am profoundly grateful for my wonderful band. Issey Chivers, Tom Harris, Josh Vadiveloo and Miles Pillinger are not only talented, hard working, passionate musicians, but wonderful people and my good friends. They are so supportive and invested in my music, I come with the dots, and they bring it to life. Simultaneously executing my vision and putting so much of their own personality into it. They have endless ideas and so much character, I’m so lucky to be able to play my music with them.

Improvisation seems very much a key element in the performance of your compositions, both on record and in live performance. How does improvisation work in your compositions?

Inspired by the legends of improv, Louis Armstrong, Lee Morgan, Oscar Peterson and so on, my songs are made to be improvised on. The tune and lyrics tell the story, and the improvisation lets us express the story. The songs are based on traditional jazz forms, ‘head solo head.’ I love the simplicity of these forms because it gives the musicians so much room and time to take their solo wherever they feel.

How do you approach writing the lyrics for your compositions?

When writing songs, the lyrics and melody often come together. I decide on the story I want to tell and take it line by line. The rhythm of the words will determine the melody and so the song is born. I found that when the song has a story, it connects with people, and audiences who have never heard jazz before can relate to the music.

The illustrated book of lyrics that accompanies each of your records is a partnership with Isabella Cuttill, who provides the brilliantly evocative illustrations. How do you work together on creating the books?

Working with my sister is a dream! We have the same visions, and she can bring them to life. We are very inspired by the illustrations of Gerald Scarfe, Sylvain Chomet, Old Disney, etc. We watched so many old cartoons growing up, so these books feel incredibly nostalgic and special to make together.

How do your compositions develop in live performance? Do you have live shows planned for the rest of 2025 and into 2026?

There is a lot of improvisation in these songs, which means no two versions will ever be the same. When we play live, the songs are extended. We’re able to stretch out and explore, it’s always fresh. We’ve just come to the end of a 10 date UK/European tour celebrating the release of the album. We’ve got one more date in the calendar this year, playing at Morocco Bound Bookshop as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival.

What have been the key influences on you as a musician and lyricist? What drew you to playing and writing music?

I am the third generation of musician in my family. Starting with my grandad (Geoff Cuttill) who was a jazz pianist, followed by my father (Graham Cuttill) who is a drummer, and then me. I have always been surrounded by amazing music. It was never a decision to pursue music, it was something I always wanted to do. Other musical idols of mine are Aretha Franklin, Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway. I’ve always loved songs and stories. I listened to lots of Joni Mitchell and Steely Dan growing up, their incredible gift for story telling has always had a grasp on me and this is what led me on to writing my own lyrics.

 

The artwork for your records and lyric books seems to exude a panache and stylistic creativeness, that simultaneously communicates both retro and contemporary resonances. How did that come about?

I’m inspired by the vibrant and stylish albums covers of the ’50s and ’60s. Elza Soares, Nina Simone, Louise Prima all have such dynamic, eye catching yet classic album art. My talented sister, Isabella Cuttill (the artist), has a brilliant eye for these things. She takes my ideas and examples and creates the amazing lyric books and artworks.

This feels to be an exciting and vibrant moment in time for jazz music and the jazz community. What is your take on it?

There are so many brilliant and exciting musicians on the scene today – Fergus Quill, Honey Boulton, Immy Churchill, to name a few. It’s so inspiring to be surrounded by so much music and personality. I spent a lot of time in Leeds, and the scene was amazing. I’ve been in London for a year now and am always discovering new people, the talent is endless!

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Watch a video of the Olivia Cuttill Quintet performing a swing driven and playful live version of Moanin from the new album, courtesy of Wakefield Jazz.

 

Approaching and embracing jazz – a final reflection on Olivia Cuttill’s music

Jazz music is about flow and freedom and letting expression and inspiration lead the music. It is wonderfully unpredictable, with feeling and authenticity often the driving force of what emerges musically. Olivia Cuttill’s music embodies all these qualities, and in addition adds a unique stamp through the lyrical telling of stories that flow with the groove of the music, together with stylistic flourishes that seem to evoke past eras and bring them into a contemporary context. If you are contemplating beginning your journey with jazz, you couldn’t start in a better place than listening to Olivia Cuttill.

You can find out more about Olivia Cuttill here: Website | Bandcamp | Instagram

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