Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside

Portland, Oregon by way of North Carolina songwriter Sallie Ford possesses an old-time charm that is unique in its purity and lack of winking irony. She croons with the power and high-pitched flexibility of a vintage jazz diva, maintaining a quirky sense of upbeat fun and playfulness throughout most of her material. Her backing band, the Sound Outside, is equally up to task in creating the light and breezy rustic jazz pop it's quickly building its name upon. Clean electric guitar strumming, walking upright bass lines and shuffling drums flesh out Ford's songs perfectly and help add a sense of confident cohesiveness to the proceedings. Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside's debut album was released in 2011.