Jelly Cleaver

Photo by Kasia Kawalek

Name, where are you from?
Jelly Cleaver, South-London.

Describe your style in three words?
Shiny, glitter, sparkles.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
That’s tough! I saw James Blake at the Apollo a few years ago and he was incandescent. He really is a one-of-a-kind artist and I appreciate how emotional and vulnerable he allows himself to be in his music and performance.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
I’d have to choose Jimi Hendrix and Joni Mitchell because I’m really a '60s child at heart. Those two artists have influenced me so much, both in my guitar playing and my lyrics. I’m sure it would end in some big jam going from midnight to sunrise and by the end, we’d have achieved universal peace, love and harmony for all mankind.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Jazz will always be the genre that has my heart. I got really into the history and origins of jazz as a way to connect with my African-American heritage and have read the majority of books on the subject. There’s so much I could say about it and its cultural and spiritual significance, but to sum it up - it’s freedom music. I also think the underground UK jazz scene is incredible and really pushing the boundaries at the moment. I can’t tell you how many amazing gigs I’ve seen in tiny basements or converted railway arches that have just blown my mind.
I’m also really into, I’m not 100% sure what to call it, but the DIY/punk/post-punk scene in London. I feel it’s really creative, maybe in a different way to the jazz scene, but a way that’s equally about expression. A lot of the bands I love are quite political as well and write about important issues that are really affecting people at the moment, and I often run into people on the scene at protests. Both those scenes are like home, they’re incredibly open and supportive and are a bit like family really.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Angela Davis is a huge inspiration on me and my political and philosophical views. I’ve seen her speak in person a few times as well as watching a lot of her speeches and panels online and she has such an incredible way of explaining things. And she’s also a massive fan of jazz! I would love to get into a deep convo with her.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
My absolute favourite venue in the world is Windmill Brixton. The first time I went there to see a band a few years ago I picked up an immediate vibe and a while after that I started hosting regular nights there called 'Jelly’s Jams' where I got to put on some of my favourite artists and we’d all just have a jam after their set. Everyone should come down to the next one!

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I think it’s a crime how unrecognised Terry Callier has been - he’s one of my all-time favourite musicians. In classic tragic Jelly timing, I actually found out about him through hearing his obituary on the radio. They played one of his songs called 'What Colour Is Love' and it was one of the most beautiful things I had ever heard. He had a pretty wild career, releasing with the legendary Chess Records, putting out a folk album, touring with Gil Scott-Heron (another personal favourite) and working with Massive Attack, but he had to leave the music industry and get a job in IT to support his family. The world missed out man!

Jelly Cleaver is a guitarist, activist, producer and singer-songwriter. She released her new EP 'Forever Presence' in November 2021. Listen, purchase or stream it via orcd.co/foreverpresence.