PRESS
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Contents include:
• Reviews and Testimonials • Musicians List • Performance Venues • More about Joel • Sheridan Talks Music |
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REVIEWS & TESTIMONIALS
DIRECT QUOTES FROM CRITICS, MUSIC JOURNALISTS, RADIO HOSTS, AND OTHER INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS:
CD REVIEWS OF Spellbound:
“Classic tunes, putting his warm, heartfelt lyrics on top of them... Joel immerses himself into the songs...” – D. Oscar Groomes, O's Place Jazz Magazine (Charlotte, North Carolina)
“Appropriately titled 'Spellbound'... distinctive vocal qualities... unique sound... honest... controlled emotional performances... performed with class and style... clear vocal storytelling... atmospheric... dynamic... touching... (a) great release!” – Tiina Kiik, Wholenote Magazine (Excerpts from Wholenote Magazine's review of Joel Sheridan's CD Spellbound. (October, 2018 issue; Toronto, Canada)
"This mini-musical autobiography... is an excellent, thoughtfully-planned effort... fifteen well-chosen selections, which include three Sheridan originals. Joel has surrounded himself with a quartet of terrific Toronto musicians... showcasing his own very personal interpretations of all of these tunes. This compact disc is well worth adding to your collection." Excerpts from the CD review by Rob Fogle, Radio Host of 'Some Experiences in Jazz' for 27 years. (November, 2018)
“The distinctive vocal qualities of jazz vocalist Joel Sheridan keep the listener attentive to his unique sound in his appropriately titled debut release, Spellbound. His decade-long, varied artistic career (with stints in Stratford and other musical theatres billed as Joel Hartt), a 12-year, career-counsellor gig, and his 2006 return to music have undoubtedly influenced his honest take on jazz singing. His goal was a storytelling concept album about the many sides of love, yet his controlled emotional performances of 12 covers and three of his own compositions are never over the top. All are performed with class and style by Sheridan, and his band – Mark Kieswetter (piano), Maxwell Roach (drums), and Jordan O’Connor (bass) with Reg Schwager (guitar) on five tracks.
Fanny Brice’s vaudevillian Cooking Breakfast for the One I Love is given a novelty upbeat rendition. The Kay Ballard tune, Lazy Afternoon, features a slow atmospheric moment with mood-setting bass opening, piano chords, cymbal splashes and high vocal pitches. More clear vocal storytelling and piano backdrop are evident in Nat King Cole’s breakup tune, I Keep Going Back to Joe’s. Highlight is Sheridan’s You Were My First Love, a personal song of his two great loves, with a stellar piano, melodic lines, climactic dynamic buildup and quietly touching close. The danceable Antônio Carlos Jobim song No More Blues ends the disc with hope and happiness, like all great love stories. And all great releases like Spellbound!” – Tiina Kiik, Wholenote Magazine. (The complete CD review from Wholenote Magazine; October, 2018)
"The concept album has been around for many years. Mel Torme's "California Suite", Gordon Jenkins' "Manhattan Tower" in the '40's and the "King of Concept", Frank Sinatra in the 1950's with, among others,"Only the Lonely" and "Come Fly With Me", onward through to "Trilogy" and "She Shot Me Down" in the 70's and '80's. Vocalist Joel Sheridan has carried on this tradition with the release of his first album,'Spellbound'. This mini-musical autobiography recorded in the winter of 2013, but newly released, is an excellent, thoughtfully-planned effort and worth the five year wait. The liner notes of over a dozen pages, are extremely informative, presenting the background of each of the fifteen well-chosen selections, which include three Sheridan originals. Joel has surrounded himself with a quartet of terrific Toronto musicians who blend in well with the crooner. A well-tuned vocal approach has a most pleasant way of Joel showcasing his own very personal interpretations of all of these tunes. This compact disc is well worth adding to your collection." The complete CD review by Rob Fogle, Radio Host of 'Some Experiences in Jazz' for 27 years. (November, 2018)
PRESS & RADIO REVIEWS:
“One of Canada's finest jazz vocalists” – Grace Black ('The Jazz Lounge') K107 FM Radio, United Kingdom (January, 2019)
“A wonderful vocalist” – Grace Black ('The Jazz Lounge') K107 FM Radio, United Kingdom (January, 2019)
“Joel Sheridan and his band lit up the (stage) with a medley of awesome jazz tunes. The extraordinary vocalist... blew away the crowd by putting new twists on both classic and rarely-heard songs.” – Snapd Publications (February, 2017)
“There is no doubt about it; Joel Sheridan has his own unique way with a song… Joel instantly struck up a warm rapport with his audience. He knows what they like… Look for this charming entertainer around town…” – Dave Milbourne, Toronto Jazz Magazine
“Dynamic” – Snapd Publications (November, 2018)
“Outstanding!” – Pauline Durichen, The Beacon Herald (Newspaper review of Joel’s performance [billed as Joel Hartt] in the musical theatre production of Twelfth Night Blues, at Stratford Summer Music, the concert series of the Stratford Festival)
TESTIMONIALS:
“Joel has a beautiful, rich, deep tone, and a true appreciation of what made the classic singers of the jazz age so compelling and timeless… His carefully selected repertoire reflects sincere emotion, intellect and humour.” – Beverly Taft (jazz singer)
“His presentation of standards – some not so standard - is always warm, sometimes humorous, and thoroughly professional.” – Tony Quarrington (jazz guitarist)
“Joel’s rich baritone is steeped with drama and nuance, grounded in his theatrical background while embracing the vocal subtleties of the great jazz singers.” – Alan Kingstone (jazz guitarist)
“A natural communicator, enchanting his audience with an infectious down-to-earth charm and an elegant, intimate vocal style.” – Denise Leslie (singer)
“Joel shares his dramatic skills, love of rare and treasured jazz compositions, and a passion for storytelling through music, in his performances. His generous spirit, humour, and sensitivity enhance the experience for the audience. We enjoyed his performance, and hope he'll come back soon.” – Susan Brown (founder/director - AGC/Plein Air Concerts)
“Exquisite choice of tunes, wonderful phrasing, and a deep sense of what these songs are about.” – Danny McErlain (jazz pianist)
“Joel Sheridan sings from the heart.” – Peggy Mahon (singer/actress/director)
“A wonderful performer!” – Luba Goy (comic actress - Royal Canadian Air Farce)
“You sing pretty. Keep on singing.” – Barry Harris (legendary jazz pianist & teacher)
DIRECT QUOTES FROM AUDIENCE MEMBERS:
“A golden voice.” – S.N.
“Joel's voice is powerful and silky smooth. His charm is seductive. He holds the audience in the palm of his hand.”
– Sylvia F.
“Most singers sing the song. Joel Sheridan IS the song!” – Susan B.
“A voice of sweetness and longing, always pure and sincere… A wonderful performer at the peak of his powers.”
– Della G.
“Captivating… a most accomplished jazz performer.” – Kristina K.
“Joel Sheridan keeps the Great American Songbook alive, and elevates other songs - too seldom heard - to a status as timeless.” – Gregory R.
“When I listen to him, I really get caught up in his uncanny ability to bring meaning to a song…. A consummate professional, and an engaging and innovative performer.” – Anthony S.
“Joel Sheridan is a wonderful singer, and a fabulous entertainer! When I see him perform, his rich, warm voice makes me feel happy to be alive!” – Janice K.
CD REVIEWS OF Spellbound:
“Classic tunes, putting his warm, heartfelt lyrics on top of them... Joel immerses himself into the songs...” – D. Oscar Groomes, O's Place Jazz Magazine (Charlotte, North Carolina)
“Appropriately titled 'Spellbound'... distinctive vocal qualities... unique sound... honest... controlled emotional performances... performed with class and style... clear vocal storytelling... atmospheric... dynamic... touching... (a) great release!” – Tiina Kiik, Wholenote Magazine (Excerpts from Wholenote Magazine's review of Joel Sheridan's CD Spellbound. (October, 2018 issue; Toronto, Canada)
"This mini-musical autobiography... is an excellent, thoughtfully-planned effort... fifteen well-chosen selections, which include three Sheridan originals. Joel has surrounded himself with a quartet of terrific Toronto musicians... showcasing his own very personal interpretations of all of these tunes. This compact disc is well worth adding to your collection." Excerpts from the CD review by Rob Fogle, Radio Host of 'Some Experiences in Jazz' for 27 years. (November, 2018)
“The distinctive vocal qualities of jazz vocalist Joel Sheridan keep the listener attentive to his unique sound in his appropriately titled debut release, Spellbound. His decade-long, varied artistic career (with stints in Stratford and other musical theatres billed as Joel Hartt), a 12-year, career-counsellor gig, and his 2006 return to music have undoubtedly influenced his honest take on jazz singing. His goal was a storytelling concept album about the many sides of love, yet his controlled emotional performances of 12 covers and three of his own compositions are never over the top. All are performed with class and style by Sheridan, and his band – Mark Kieswetter (piano), Maxwell Roach (drums), and Jordan O’Connor (bass) with Reg Schwager (guitar) on five tracks.
Fanny Brice’s vaudevillian Cooking Breakfast for the One I Love is given a novelty upbeat rendition. The Kay Ballard tune, Lazy Afternoon, features a slow atmospheric moment with mood-setting bass opening, piano chords, cymbal splashes and high vocal pitches. More clear vocal storytelling and piano backdrop are evident in Nat King Cole’s breakup tune, I Keep Going Back to Joe’s. Highlight is Sheridan’s You Were My First Love, a personal song of his two great loves, with a stellar piano, melodic lines, climactic dynamic buildup and quietly touching close. The danceable Antônio Carlos Jobim song No More Blues ends the disc with hope and happiness, like all great love stories. And all great releases like Spellbound!” – Tiina Kiik, Wholenote Magazine. (The complete CD review from Wholenote Magazine; October, 2018)
"The concept album has been around for many years. Mel Torme's "California Suite", Gordon Jenkins' "Manhattan Tower" in the '40's and the "King of Concept", Frank Sinatra in the 1950's with, among others,"Only the Lonely" and "Come Fly With Me", onward through to "Trilogy" and "She Shot Me Down" in the 70's and '80's. Vocalist Joel Sheridan has carried on this tradition with the release of his first album,'Spellbound'. This mini-musical autobiography recorded in the winter of 2013, but newly released, is an excellent, thoughtfully-planned effort and worth the five year wait. The liner notes of over a dozen pages, are extremely informative, presenting the background of each of the fifteen well-chosen selections, which include three Sheridan originals. Joel has surrounded himself with a quartet of terrific Toronto musicians who blend in well with the crooner. A well-tuned vocal approach has a most pleasant way of Joel showcasing his own very personal interpretations of all of these tunes. This compact disc is well worth adding to your collection." The complete CD review by Rob Fogle, Radio Host of 'Some Experiences in Jazz' for 27 years. (November, 2018)
PRESS & RADIO REVIEWS:
“One of Canada's finest jazz vocalists” – Grace Black ('The Jazz Lounge') K107 FM Radio, United Kingdom (January, 2019)
“A wonderful vocalist” – Grace Black ('The Jazz Lounge') K107 FM Radio, United Kingdom (January, 2019)
“Joel Sheridan and his band lit up the (stage) with a medley of awesome jazz tunes. The extraordinary vocalist... blew away the crowd by putting new twists on both classic and rarely-heard songs.” – Snapd Publications (February, 2017)
“There is no doubt about it; Joel Sheridan has his own unique way with a song… Joel instantly struck up a warm rapport with his audience. He knows what they like… Look for this charming entertainer around town…” – Dave Milbourne, Toronto Jazz Magazine
“Dynamic” – Snapd Publications (November, 2018)
“Outstanding!” – Pauline Durichen, The Beacon Herald (Newspaper review of Joel’s performance [billed as Joel Hartt] in the musical theatre production of Twelfth Night Blues, at Stratford Summer Music, the concert series of the Stratford Festival)
TESTIMONIALS:
“Joel has a beautiful, rich, deep tone, and a true appreciation of what made the classic singers of the jazz age so compelling and timeless… His carefully selected repertoire reflects sincere emotion, intellect and humour.” – Beverly Taft (jazz singer)
“His presentation of standards – some not so standard - is always warm, sometimes humorous, and thoroughly professional.” – Tony Quarrington (jazz guitarist)
“Joel’s rich baritone is steeped with drama and nuance, grounded in his theatrical background while embracing the vocal subtleties of the great jazz singers.” – Alan Kingstone (jazz guitarist)
“A natural communicator, enchanting his audience with an infectious down-to-earth charm and an elegant, intimate vocal style.” – Denise Leslie (singer)
“Joel shares his dramatic skills, love of rare and treasured jazz compositions, and a passion for storytelling through music, in his performances. His generous spirit, humour, and sensitivity enhance the experience for the audience. We enjoyed his performance, and hope he'll come back soon.” – Susan Brown (founder/director - AGC/Plein Air Concerts)
“Exquisite choice of tunes, wonderful phrasing, and a deep sense of what these songs are about.” – Danny McErlain (jazz pianist)
“Joel Sheridan sings from the heart.” – Peggy Mahon (singer/actress/director)
“A wonderful performer!” – Luba Goy (comic actress - Royal Canadian Air Farce)
“You sing pretty. Keep on singing.” – Barry Harris (legendary jazz pianist & teacher)
DIRECT QUOTES FROM AUDIENCE MEMBERS:
“A golden voice.” – S.N.
“Joel's voice is powerful and silky smooth. His charm is seductive. He holds the audience in the palm of his hand.”
– Sylvia F.
“Most singers sing the song. Joel Sheridan IS the song!” – Susan B.
“A voice of sweetness and longing, always pure and sincere… A wonderful performer at the peak of his powers.”
– Della G.
“Captivating… a most accomplished jazz performer.” – Kristina K.
“Joel Sheridan keeps the Great American Songbook alive, and elevates other songs - too seldom heard - to a status as timeless.” – Gregory R.
“When I listen to him, I really get caught up in his uncanny ability to bring meaning to a song…. A consummate professional, and an engaging and innovative performer.” – Anthony S.
“Joel Sheridan is a wonderful singer, and a fabulous entertainer! When I see him perform, his rich, warm voice makes me feel happy to be alive!” – Janice K.
MUSICIANS
Sheridan has performed and recorded with some of Canada's top jazz musicians, including (in alphabetical order):
Norman Amadio (piano), Kevin Barrett (guitar), Gary Benson (guitar), Robi Botos (piano), Don Buchanan (piano), Jane Bunnett (sax, flute), Dave Caldwell (saxophone, flute), Ernesto Cervini (drums), Rob Christian (saxophone/flute), Pat Collins (bass), Mike Daley (guitar), Kevin Dempsey (drums), Mike Downes (bass), Mark Eisenman (piano), Ewen Farncombe (piano), Adrean Farrugia (piano), Attila Fias (piano), Dave Field (bass), Rosemary Galloway (bass), June Garber (vocals), The George Lake Big Band, Mark Godfrey (bass), Peter Hill (piano), Nathan Hiltz (guitar), Duncan Hopkins (bass), Graham Howes (piano), Jason Hunter (saxophone), Steve James (drums), Mark Kieswetter (piano), Kevin Laliberté (guitar; Sultans of String), Ross MacIntyre (bass), Amanda Martinez (vocals), Carol McCartney (vocals), Danny McErlain (piano), Scott Metcalfe (piano), Mark Micklethwaite (drums), The Mississauga Big Band and Jazz Ensemble, Jordan O’Connor (bass), Kieran Overs (bass), Mary-Catherine Pazzano (vocals), Brigham Phillips (piano), Tony Quarrington (guitar), Rainbow Gardens Orchestra, Dave Restivo (piano), Maxwell Roach (drums), Artie Roth (bass), Reg Schwager (guitar), Bernie Senensky (piano), Ian Sinclair (piano), Eric St-Laurent (guitar), Neil Swainson (bass), Don Thompson (piano, bass, vibes), Don Vickery (drums), Chris Wallace (drums), Lee Wallace (guitar), Steve Wallace (bass), Richard Whiteman (piano), and Dave Young (bass).
Norman Amadio (piano), Kevin Barrett (guitar), Gary Benson (guitar), Robi Botos (piano), Don Buchanan (piano), Jane Bunnett (sax, flute), Dave Caldwell (saxophone, flute), Ernesto Cervini (drums), Rob Christian (saxophone/flute), Pat Collins (bass), Mike Daley (guitar), Kevin Dempsey (drums), Mike Downes (bass), Mark Eisenman (piano), Ewen Farncombe (piano), Adrean Farrugia (piano), Attila Fias (piano), Dave Field (bass), Rosemary Galloway (bass), June Garber (vocals), The George Lake Big Band, Mark Godfrey (bass), Peter Hill (piano), Nathan Hiltz (guitar), Duncan Hopkins (bass), Graham Howes (piano), Jason Hunter (saxophone), Steve James (drums), Mark Kieswetter (piano), Kevin Laliberté (guitar; Sultans of String), Ross MacIntyre (bass), Amanda Martinez (vocals), Carol McCartney (vocals), Danny McErlain (piano), Scott Metcalfe (piano), Mark Micklethwaite (drums), The Mississauga Big Band and Jazz Ensemble, Jordan O’Connor (bass), Kieran Overs (bass), Mary-Catherine Pazzano (vocals), Brigham Phillips (piano), Tony Quarrington (guitar), Rainbow Gardens Orchestra, Dave Restivo (piano), Maxwell Roach (drums), Artie Roth (bass), Reg Schwager (guitar), Bernie Senensky (piano), Ian Sinclair (piano), Eric St-Laurent (guitar), Neil Swainson (bass), Don Thompson (piano, bass, vibes), Don Vickery (drums), Chris Wallace (drums), Lee Wallace (guitar), Steve Wallace (bass), Richard Whiteman (piano), and Dave Young (bass).
PERFORMANCE VENUES
Joel has headlined at some of the most prestigious clubs and Jazz Music Festivals in Canada. Venues include:
Jazz Bistro (Toronto); The Old Mill Inn; standing-room-only performances at The Home Smith Bar for 'Fridays To Sing About!' (Jazz Vocalists’ Concert Series); The TD Toronto Jazz Festival (six consecutive seasons); a standing-room-only performance at The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar (with the Mississauga Big Band); The Mississauga Living Arts Centre (host and vocalist with the Mississauga Big Band); The Jazz Room (guest vocalist for the Mary-Catherine Pazzano Quintet) Kitchener-Waterloo; Hugh’s Room (guest vocalist for June Garber, featuring the George Lake Big Band); The 120 Diner; The Reservoir Lounge; 'Music In The Atrium' (Princess Margaret Cancer Centre); Musideum; Plein Air Summer Concert Series; The Tilted Dog; The Local Gest; The Hyatt Regency Hotel; Chalkers Pub; The Gladstone Hotel - The Melody Bar; Dominion On Queen (guest vocalist); The Paintbox Bistro; The Green Door Cabaret (Lower Ossington Theatre); Jazz at Oscar’s (University of Toronto’s Jazz Concert Series at Hart House); The Trane Studio; Mezzetta’s Jazz Concert Series; The Flying Beaver Pubaret; du Maurier Toronto Jazz Festival (guest vocalist); Toronto General Hospital's Sunday Concert Series; Jazz at EDO; Habits Gastropub; The Cherry Street Restaurant; The Tranzac Club; The Local; Stratford Summer Music (Concert Series for the Stratford Festival); and Gate 403 (over half a decade of monthly headlining engagements).
Sheridan has also performed at numerous private and corporate functions, industrials, and charitable events.
Jazz Bistro (Toronto); The Old Mill Inn; standing-room-only performances at The Home Smith Bar for 'Fridays To Sing About!' (Jazz Vocalists’ Concert Series); The TD Toronto Jazz Festival (six consecutive seasons); a standing-room-only performance at The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar (with the Mississauga Big Band); The Mississauga Living Arts Centre (host and vocalist with the Mississauga Big Band); The Jazz Room (guest vocalist for the Mary-Catherine Pazzano Quintet) Kitchener-Waterloo; Hugh’s Room (guest vocalist for June Garber, featuring the George Lake Big Band); The 120 Diner; The Reservoir Lounge; 'Music In The Atrium' (Princess Margaret Cancer Centre); Musideum; Plein Air Summer Concert Series; The Tilted Dog; The Local Gest; The Hyatt Regency Hotel; Chalkers Pub; The Gladstone Hotel - The Melody Bar; Dominion On Queen (guest vocalist); The Paintbox Bistro; The Green Door Cabaret (Lower Ossington Theatre); Jazz at Oscar’s (University of Toronto’s Jazz Concert Series at Hart House); The Trane Studio; Mezzetta’s Jazz Concert Series; The Flying Beaver Pubaret; du Maurier Toronto Jazz Festival (guest vocalist); Toronto General Hospital's Sunday Concert Series; Jazz at EDO; Habits Gastropub; The Cherry Street Restaurant; The Tranzac Club; The Local; Stratford Summer Music (Concert Series for the Stratford Festival); and Gate 403 (over half a decade of monthly headlining engagements).
Sheridan has also performed at numerous private and corporate functions, industrials, and charitable events.
MORE ABOUT JOEL
Joel Sheridan is a charismatic performer with a powerful, lush, and romantic voice. He evokes the best of the traditional jazz and jazz-influenced pop singers of the 20th Century, but with his own contemporary, authentic and inimitable voice. Through years of studying and playing with jazz legends, Sheridan has acquired solid time, good intonation, and deeply personal, lyric-driven phrasing.
Joel’s expansive repertoire includes timeless jazz and pop standards, swing, bossas, urban blues, adult pop, cabaret, R&B, and rarely-heard jazz and Broadway gems, as well as his own original compositions.
Sheridan had the opportunity to take on the role of Big Band singer, in two concerts with the eighteen-piece Mississauga Big Band, at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre, and at Toronto's renowned Rex Hotel & Jazz Bar, to a standing-room-only audience.
Joel Sheridan is emerging as one of the most accomplished and entertaining vocal artists in the Toronto Jazz scene. Besides being a superlative singer, Sheridan is also a talented composer, lyricist, and writer. He has programmed all of his shows, as well as written and performed a total of eleven musical tribute concerts to songwriters Harry Warren, Ira Gershwin, and Antonio Carlos Jobim, and singing legends Nat 'King' Cole, Joe Williams, Chet Baker, Johnny Hartman, Mel Tormé, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Frank Sinatra .
Joel’s expansive repertoire includes timeless jazz and pop standards, swing, bossas, urban blues, adult pop, cabaret, R&B, and rarely-heard jazz and Broadway gems, as well as his own original compositions.
Sheridan had the opportunity to take on the role of Big Band singer, in two concerts with the eighteen-piece Mississauga Big Band, at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre, and at Toronto's renowned Rex Hotel & Jazz Bar, to a standing-room-only audience.
Joel Sheridan is emerging as one of the most accomplished and entertaining vocal artists in the Toronto Jazz scene. Besides being a superlative singer, Sheridan is also a talented composer, lyricist, and writer. He has programmed all of his shows, as well as written and performed a total of eleven musical tribute concerts to songwriters Harry Warren, Ira Gershwin, and Antonio Carlos Jobim, and singing legends Nat 'King' Cole, Joe Williams, Chet Baker, Johnny Hartman, Mel Tormé, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Frank Sinatra .
SHERIDAN TALKS MUSIC
"When I'm singing, I feel the most alive!"
"Professionally, 2018 was my biggest year yet. Releasing 'Spellbound' my very first CD, including my original compositions, performing for the first time at Jazz Bistro to a capacity crowd, my CD Release Party, and getting international airplay and critical acclaim for my album. It was a very exciting time for me. I want to acknowledge the radio stations; particularly Jazz FM, the radio hosts, the music journalists, and all of my devoted friends and followers for supporting me and my music in 2018. Thank you all so much!"
"Musical genre labels can be very limiting, and even misleading. Jazz has become such a broad and subjective musical category these days. Many singers market themselves as jazz singers who aren't remotely singing jazz. I don't like to limit myself to one musical category. I like to feel free to sing anything that resonates for me, and for my audiences. But if I had to label myself, I guess I'd describe myself as a jazz-influenced singer who works almost exclusively with jazz musicians."
"My favourite singers don't necessarily have the greatest voices in technical terms, but they all have great phrasing, and an original, honest sound. They don't sound like anybody else, and they don't try to. And they all "act" the song, as much as sing it. Those are values I share."
"I don't take a lot of liberties with the melody. I rarely scat, and never attempt to sound like a musical instrument. I let my musicians play that role. However, that being said, there is always a lot of improvisation involved in my singing, as I never sing a song exactly the same way twice. And I always attempt to be "in the moment", which always subtly affects the phrasing. Unlike a musician, a singer works with words, as well as music. I don't re-conceptualize a song to the extent that the original tune is completely unrecognizable. I like to serve the song, and hopefully, the songwriters' intentions. That being said, I always try to develop my own individual musical and lyrical interpretation for every song I perform. After all, what's the point of just imitating or rehashing some other singer's version of a song? Why be a second-rate someone else when you can be a first-rate you?"
"Singing jazz is so empowering. I'm able to choose what I sing and how I sing it, and it's different every time! Plus, I get to collaborate with such phenomenal musicians. Some of the best jazz artists in North America. Their playing inspires and informs my singing. We respect and listen to each other, and we affect each other's performances. I love the freedom, the spontaneity, and the creative choices we get to make together."
"There are certain tunes that my audiences want to hear, and I sing them, of course, but I also enjoy introducing them to a rarely-performed musical treasure, or a wonderful verse - that nobody's heard - to a famous song. Or even surprise them sometimes with a contemporary pop tune given a jazz treatment. I enjoy mixing it up!"
"I like to sing songs that tell a story… The lyrics of a song are as important to me as the music, and I try to communicate what they mean. I'm not interested in just singing a bunch of pretty or clever notes. I guess that distinguishes me from a lot of jazz singers who focus mostly on a particular musical style or approach. Ultimately, I feel that my goal is to help people forget their problems for a while, to take them on an emotional journey, and to entertain them."
"It's a privilege for me to interpret some of the greatest songs ever written, and to help keep these songs alive and relevant. And to be doing this for such attentive and appreciative audiences is real honour, and a joy. I never take it for granted, and always try to give my very best."
"Professionally, 2018 was my biggest year yet. Releasing 'Spellbound' my very first CD, including my original compositions, performing for the first time at Jazz Bistro to a capacity crowd, my CD Release Party, and getting international airplay and critical acclaim for my album. It was a very exciting time for me. I want to acknowledge the radio stations; particularly Jazz FM, the radio hosts, the music journalists, and all of my devoted friends and followers for supporting me and my music in 2018. Thank you all so much!"
"Musical genre labels can be very limiting, and even misleading. Jazz has become such a broad and subjective musical category these days. Many singers market themselves as jazz singers who aren't remotely singing jazz. I don't like to limit myself to one musical category. I like to feel free to sing anything that resonates for me, and for my audiences. But if I had to label myself, I guess I'd describe myself as a jazz-influenced singer who works almost exclusively with jazz musicians."
"My favourite singers don't necessarily have the greatest voices in technical terms, but they all have great phrasing, and an original, honest sound. They don't sound like anybody else, and they don't try to. And they all "act" the song, as much as sing it. Those are values I share."
"I don't take a lot of liberties with the melody. I rarely scat, and never attempt to sound like a musical instrument. I let my musicians play that role. However, that being said, there is always a lot of improvisation involved in my singing, as I never sing a song exactly the same way twice. And I always attempt to be "in the moment", which always subtly affects the phrasing. Unlike a musician, a singer works with words, as well as music. I don't re-conceptualize a song to the extent that the original tune is completely unrecognizable. I like to serve the song, and hopefully, the songwriters' intentions. That being said, I always try to develop my own individual musical and lyrical interpretation for every song I perform. After all, what's the point of just imitating or rehashing some other singer's version of a song? Why be a second-rate someone else when you can be a first-rate you?"
"Singing jazz is so empowering. I'm able to choose what I sing and how I sing it, and it's different every time! Plus, I get to collaborate with such phenomenal musicians. Some of the best jazz artists in North America. Their playing inspires and informs my singing. We respect and listen to each other, and we affect each other's performances. I love the freedom, the spontaneity, and the creative choices we get to make together."
"There are certain tunes that my audiences want to hear, and I sing them, of course, but I also enjoy introducing them to a rarely-performed musical treasure, or a wonderful verse - that nobody's heard - to a famous song. Or even surprise them sometimes with a contemporary pop tune given a jazz treatment. I enjoy mixing it up!"
"I like to sing songs that tell a story… The lyrics of a song are as important to me as the music, and I try to communicate what they mean. I'm not interested in just singing a bunch of pretty or clever notes. I guess that distinguishes me from a lot of jazz singers who focus mostly on a particular musical style or approach. Ultimately, I feel that my goal is to help people forget their problems for a while, to take them on an emotional journey, and to entertain them."
"It's a privilege for me to interpret some of the greatest songs ever written, and to help keep these songs alive and relevant. And to be doing this for such attentive and appreciative audiences is real honour, and a joy. I never take it for granted, and always try to give my very best."