Judge for Gudula Urban

Gudula Urban is a Vienna-based singer/songwriter/cellist who is at home in jazz, soul and gospel as well as in classical music. She has studied cello in Vienna and Salzburg, Austria and the USA, worked as a university cello instructor in Bangkok, Thailand and has performed as a soloist, a chamber and orchestra musician and band member all over the world.

Meanwhile her interest in singing grew more and more: she performed in the US and Canada as one of the only two whites in an all black Gospel group, founded her own gospel band after she returned back to Austria and began to write her own songs - a colorful mix of jazz, gospel, soul, pop, funk and latin - telling about her life with God, which is always an adventure!

Supported by some wonderful musicians in she recorded her debut CD "smile on my face" and took it on the road.

Crossrhythms, Christian Radio Online says about her record: „Gudula Urban has been described as "the Austrian answer to Norah Jones." Well, I don't know about that, but this is certainly a superb album that will put a smile on anybody's face. Gudula's vocals are sublime, the music emotive and the rhythms contagious. With a mixture of wistful ballads and invigorating jazz numbers, and with lyrics which are encouraging and filled with hope and joy,this album is a delight. The live recording of "Smile On My Face" emphasises the joy and it has an irresistible beat and includes a mesmerising performance from Heribert Kohlich on piano. Gudula's rendition of the classic "Amazing Grace" is equally captivating. On several of the tracks Gudula not only sings but also plays cello. This is particularly effective on the album's closing song "Coming Home" which was inspired by the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15.“ (Sarah Lawrence, www.crossrhythms.co.uk/artists/Gudula_Urban/13430/ )

In her concerts Gudula usually mixes her songs with instrumental cello jazz tunes. These days she's busy working on new music...