After more than three decades as a celebrated jazz vocalist and touring artist, Tierney Sutton steps boldly into new creative territory with Talking to the Sun—a luminous, cross-cultural album of original compositions, fresh lyrics, and reimagined Brazilian classics. Set for digital release on August 8 2025 in the U.S. with a physical and European release on November 21 2025, the project was recorded in France alongside masterful collaborators: the revered French jazz duo Charlier/Sourisse, and longtime musical partner and guitarist Serge Merlaud.

While lyric writing wasn’t always central to her artistic identity, that changed after penning two original songs for Clint Eastwood’s 2016 film Sully. In addition, Sutton’s single and much-talked-about video from last year’s project, Good People offered a history lesson on systemic racism in the United States. A satirical song focusing on white denial, the continuing wealth gap, housing discrimination and, residential segregation facing black America, the song and video have garnered much attention and praise. Inspired by these experiences and driven by a new wave of creative energy, Sutton committed fully to the written word—delivering five original lyrics for Talking to the Sun, and adapting three additional works from icons like Antonio Carlos Jobim and Guinga.

Sutton has nine Grammy nominations under her belt, but Talking to the Sun is the first of her albums as a leader to feature her own lyrics. If “Laptop Choro” is an indication, this is a fruitful new avenue for her. And a chorinho by the enduringly inventive duo of keyboardist Benoit Sourisse and drummer Andre Charlier is the perfect place to begin. – All About Jazz