Acclaimed vocalist and songwriter Jill Desiree has release her striking new interpretation of Sting’s timeless classic, “Fragile.” The Australian-born, Indonesian-raised artist, known for her evocative blend of classic R&B, jazz, and soul, brings an urgent and deeply passionate perspective to this hauntingly relevant song.
“With Fragile, I feel like the message of Sting’s lyrics is deeply profound and, unfortunately, timeless,” says Jill. “Despite the song’s eloquent, understated, and extremely convincing lyrical condemnation of the unending cycles of
violence in humanity’s history, we all know that the ears most deaf to this message will be those most involved in perpetuating violence. In my version, the band and I are screaming this message at the top of our lungs. It’s more musically aggressive than most might interpret such a delicate, heartfelt lyric. But at this point, if no one is going to heed Sting’s warning, we don’t know what else to do. Maybe someday, someone will listen.”
Few artists embody the spirit of classic soul, jazz, and R&B like Jill Desiree. Raised in Indonesia and educated at Berklee College of Music, she follows in the tradition of icons like Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston, blending stirring vocals with the expert musicianship of some of Los Angeles’ most creative players.
Jill first captured attention with her debut EP, “Cover Story,” recorded live with industry veterans, followed by her acclaimed singles “Sounds Like Music” and “Broken”, which won the Best Jazz Award in the 29th Annual USA
Songwriting Competition. Her recent release, “The Rain Can Fall,” continues her evolution as a groundbreaking artist, songwriter, and performer.
Jill’s interpretation of “Fragile” started as an experiment. While preparing for an upcoming gig, she played around with a syncopated backbeat, creating a chill yet funky groove that reshaped the song’s rhythmic phrasing. After
sharing the idea with David Olivas, the pair built out a unique arrangement, incorporating new harmonizations, rhythmic hits, and call-and-response sections.
One of the song’s standout elements is the addition of Katisse Buckingham’s mesmerizing flute solo. “Dave and I saw Katisse perform at the Baked Potato in Los Angeles, and we became huge fans,” Jill recalls. “We studied his albums and crafted a solo section inspired by his style. To our amazement, within three hours of emailing him the session, he sent us a flawless first take. It’s the hippest, funkiest jazz flute playing you’ll ever hear.” The track also features bassist Kent Moore, guitarist Troy Dexter, and drummer Jordan Perlson (Becca Stevens, Jeff Coffin), whose dynamic
contributions helped elevate the song’s rhythmic energy and emotional intensity.
Jill Desiree’s “Fragile” is not just a cover—it’s a rallying cry. By reimagining Sting’s delicate composition with bold instrumentation and powerful vocals, she transforms the song into an urgent call for change. With its fusion of
soul, jazz, and groove-infused rhythms, this rendition stands as a testament to Jill’s artistic vision and the timeless relevance of music as a force for social awareness. “Fragile” by Jill Desiree is now available on all major streaming platforms.
