Jazzin’Around Blue Rondo

Sophie Milman : Sophie Milman is a charismatic young Russian-born, Israeli-raised, Toronto-based jazz vocalist who’s well on her way to becoming an international sensation. Still in her twenties, she’s been a household name in Canada since 2004, when her debut album established her as a major artist in her adopted home country. Since then, she’s continued to take the jazz world by storm, topping the Billboard jazz and iTunes charts Canada, the U.S., France and Japan, winning a Juno Award, and captivating audiences worldwide.In the Moonlight, Milman’s fourth album, finds the artist creating her most sophisticated and accomplished work to date, drawing upon her sublime interpretive skills and unique personal history to deliver a deeply compelling set of jazz and pop standards that showcases the subtle emotional shadings of her singing.

Sonny Stitt @The Hard Bop Homepage : He probably turned initially to the tenor and baritone saxophones in an effort to escape his image as Parker’s follower; the baritone instrument proved to be but a temporary diversion, but the tenor opened up new lines of musical thought for him. He made his most distinctive statements on this instrument, which he played frequently from 1950.

Hampton Hawes @jazzscript : Pianist HAMPTON HAWES lost his way in the 1950s, overwhelmed by drug addiction and eventual imprisonment. With a body of work released to great applause and having won the Down Beat New Star Award in 1956, Hawes’ musical trajectory should have shot higher. This period marked the summit of his career, the point at which his artistic development was able to reflect, and in turn affect, the developments in the wider jazz world around him. The essence of his life is sketched in his fast-paced and demotic autobiography, Raise Up Off Me, published in 1974. One of the finest first-hand accounts of the jazz life ever written, it contains stark observation and honesty..

Marlena Shaw @Wikipedia : Shaw began to make singing appearances in jazz clubs whenever she could spare the time. The most notable of these appearances was in 1963 when she worked with jazz trumpeter Howard McGhee. She was supposed to play at the Newport Jazz Festival with McGhee and his band, but left the group after getting into an argument with one of the band members. Later that year, she got an audition with Columbia label talent scout John Hammond. Shaw did not perform well during the audition because she was too nervous.

Ragan Whiteside : “…let elegance, also dexterity be recognized; the integrity of this fascinating musical composition should be heard on all smooth jazz and classic soul airwaves world wide; Ragan Whiteside is elegance and one to watch out for in the music industry” let the flutress be heard.” – Gary Tann (Harlem after Midnite, WHCR 90.3fm, New York)

Trudy Pitts : Trudy Pitts with husband Mr. C at the Meiji-En Restaurant A dream gig might be this: three nights each week in a restaurant noted for its warmth, intimacy, musical freedom, and complete support for the artist. Sounds almost too good to be true, right? Well, in the City of Brotherly Love, the Meiji-En (thought to be the nation’s biggest Japanese restaurant) offered such a piano trio gig to two of my favorite musicians, Trudy Pitts and Mr. C, and for the last five years it has seemed like a dream. I’ve been calling Trudy and Mr. C Philadelphia’s best- kept secret, but the truth is that most people in the know have been hip to Trudy’s piano and organ work and Mr. C’s drumming and promoting for years

Al Jarreau : Al’s 30th year in the music business saw another landmark with the pairing up with his peer the legendary R&B guitarist & singer, George Benson, for the album Givin’ It Up. Recorded in Spring of 2006, this record featured many guest artists including Herbie Hancock, Sir Paul McCartney, Jill Scott, Chris Botti and Patti Austin, amongst others musical veterans. Givin’ It Up was released to critical acclaim on October 24, 2006 by Concord Music Group/Monster Music and garnered 3 Grammy® nominations for; Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group, for “Breezin’” (nomination only), and two Grammy® wins in 2007 Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for “God Bless The Child” feat. Jill Scott, and Best Pop Instrumental for “Mornin”

Dinah Shore Fan Club : With her recording and radio career taking off Dinah soon became a popular favorite. In 1943 she was signed to host her own radio show, “Call to Music.” That same year her first movie, “Thank Your Lucky Stars” starring Eddie Cantor with guest appearances by many Warner Brothers stars, was released.

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