Soliloquy
Sixth Studio Album by Sylvia Brooks
Music finding its way
to what lives underneath.
About the Album: Soliloquy
Sylvia Brooks is a virtuoso in the jazz world, known for her exceptional vocal prowess and remarkable emotional delivery. Her ability to act the lyrics brings a unique and compelling storytelling aspect to her music, captivating audiences worldwide. With a strong stage presence, Sylvia transforms any performance into an unforgettable experience, blending her musical taste and discerning ear to create classic, sexy vocal jazz that resonates with listeners.
Throughout her distinguished career, Sylvia has recorded five acclaimed albums, each showcasing her growth as an artist and the depth of her musical insight. She will be releasing her sixth album Soliloquy on June 5th 2026. Her influence in the music industry is further acknowledged through her role as a voting member of The Recording Academy.
Sylvia’s music is a homage to the rich history of jazz, while simultaneously defining her unique voice within the genre. Her ability to evoke deep emotions and transport audiences through sound is a testament to her mastery of the craft. Listeners are drawn to her performances, where each note and lyric is delivered with precision and passion, solidifying her as a staple in the world of jazz music.
Soliloquy – Track List
In summary, this album to me is about our struggle with the humanity that lies within us. The two sides of the coin – the darkness and the light. And the courage it takes to just be human.
Soul Eyes - 4:56
In Soul Eyes, the struggle of trusting enough to allow someone inside, and building a deep bond with another human being can be very hard and is very real. There are many people that are alone in this world. It is almost like a hymn to oneself, where you understand within yourself that letting go of that control and allowing someone to come in- deep inside- is necessary to have a fulfilling life. And finding the right person to trust is of paramount importance and is not easy.
Talks A Good Game - 3:17
Talks A Good Game is about a broken man. A man that is the complete opposite of our man in Soul Eyes. I’ve known these men. Most women have. He is empty, manipulative and callous. But he is the one that loses the most. (original)
Fragile - 3:49
Fragile – by Sting- is exactly what is says. It is about the fragility of the human condition. And the depths of both darkness and light that comes with that. We chose an eight-piece vocal chorus to echo this. It is a human problem.
A Letter to Sophie - 3:55
A Letter to Sophie – Several years ago, I went to the Getty Museum and saw an exhibit by the great French Observation Artist Sophie Calle. I was so drawn to it that I literally stood there for 45 minutes trying to figure it out. Calle’s work frequently depicts human vulnerability and examines identity and intimacy. There was an exhibit that depicted a break-up letter, from a man. In this exhibit, she explores the unrelenting intensity of one particular moment. That of the receiving and reading of the break-up message- with the focus on the message itself. The communication is shoddy, upsetting and inadequate. He will not come and see her this time at the hotel room, because while claiming his undying love for her, he needs other women (a true communication). (original)
Lizzie’s Dance - 5:37
Lizzie’s Dance – this is based on an experience that I had. While watching a group of eight-year-olds at a dance recital, I noticed that one girl was doing everything wrong. At first, as a spectator (having been a trained dancer myself) I could not understand what on earth she was doing up there. And then, I noticed. She had downs-syndrome. And in an instant, my reaction turned from displeasure and judgement to tears. It became clear to me how much courage she had. And I needed to tell her story. (original)
Instinct of Love - 5:51
Instinct of Love – Inspired by the mini-series 1923, this song is about the unrelenting courage of our heroine to follow her heart- against all odds and to be true to herself. This story was, to me, one of the most beautiful and tragic stories I’ve ever watched. It touched me deep in my soul. She crossed continents during a time when women didn’t do that. She left everything she knew, to be true to herself. And had the courage to do it.
Temptation - 3:25
Temptation – by Tom Waits- I had to choose this piece because of its message. This is the dark side within us that we all have. It is about making a deal with the devil. Something we fight within ourselves, something that is a large part of our humanity. The loss of dreams, to the darkness.
I Was Telling Him About You - 3:51
I Was Telling Him About You – (Charlap & Bruce) again, it’s about the battle within ourselves between right and wrong- between what we want to do but know that we shouldn’t do.
More About Sylvia & Soliloquy
Why do I do what I do. I grew up in an entertainment household. My dad was a jazz piano player, and my mother was an opera singer. So being an artist was never a choice, but an absolute calling. I found my place on the stage and started acting at a very young age. But my life changed when I was accepted into the American Conservatory Theatre and began studying classical theatre. My eyes were opened to the great writings of Shakespeare, Shaw, Williams, Chekov- and my world became elevated. It was during this time in my life that I began to realize the power of language and its ability to reach deeply into the hearts and imaginations of mankind. It had the power to illuminate the best and worst parts of humanity. When I started thinking about this album, I had notes from a series of incidents that had come across my path and had touched me deeply.
I have always believed that art exists to illuminate the human condition. As was the case during the days of Roman Theatre – plays were enacted as almost a religious experience to act as a catharsis to the observer. In my choice of songs, I wanted to bring to light the difficulties we face every day in dealing with our humanity. The courage it takes to be true to ourselves, the mistakes that we make, and the understanding that we are all alike. We all go through this in our own ways.
People Involved in Soliloquy
- Sylvia Brooks – Vocals
- Christian Jacob – Piano
- Kevin Axt – Bass – Electric & acoustic
- Kevin Winard – Drums & percussion
- Grant Geissman – Guitar- Electric & Acoustic
- Farzin Farhadi – Sax
- Michelle Jensen – Choral Director for Choir- “Fragile”
- Choir – Brian Sidders, Rebecca Tomasko, Eliya Franz, Makenna Malkin, Sophia Kaloustian, Benjamin Hall, Joshua McGowen, Coen Sosa
- Recorded at Dragonfly Creek Recording Studio
- Engineered and mixed by Charley Pollard
- Mastered by Tom McCawley
- All arrangements written by Christian Jacob
- Produced by Sylvia Brooks, Christian Jacob and Jerry Bergh
- Photography – Album photos by Antoine Reekmans
- Album Cover Design by Doug Haverty
News & Press Release
Sylvia Brooks has earned consistent praise from respected jazz publications and critics for her emotional depth, cinematic storytelling, and masterful vocal interpretation. Her work is widely recognized for blending classic jazz elegance with a modern, narrative-driven sensibility.
“In the case of chanteuse Sylvia Brooks, the songs serve as a barometer, marking the increasing depth she plumbs”….. she’s an artist is full command”
“What else is there to say…. move over, Diana Krall… it’s Sylvia Brooks”
“A master stylist”
“Chops like this are one of a kind and are not to be missed”