Blues for Breakfast, the hot new jazz CD from sultry pianist/vocalist Kathy Sanborn, releases March 8, 2011 through popular vendors such as Barnes&Noble and Amazon.com. Blues for Breakfast treats you to a sumptuous feast of lively, memorable tunes and sensual, heartfelt ballads. The album also features GRAMMY® nominee Scott Petito's distinctive bass, Chris Carey's sizzling drums, and Wayne Ricci's soulful trumpet.
Tony Adamo, a former radio announcer, turned Hollywood agent, turned singer/songwriter was born in San Francisco, California. His family has strong ties to the Bronx and Brooklyn, New York. Adamo's writing career actually started during his tour of duty during the Gulf War. The 15-hour workdays that involved loading missiles and bombs on ships were exhausting but, he found that the exotic scenery enticed him to write. Having been a songwriter for many years, he began creating music about his experiences in the Middle East. Although these songs were never recorded, Adamo found writing set him on his path for what was to come.
Over a career spanning more than twenty years, the hugely talented Maysa has remained ahead of the curve with a sound that is both sophisticated and soulful When recently I talked to her from her home in Baltimore, MD I was interested to learn more about the exciting ventures she already has lined up for 2011. However, before doing so I wanted to take Maysa back to her early days in music and how she first got started.
27 Mar
Under a Painted Sky by Judy Wexler
Sunday, 27 March 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Judy Wexler looms large in the relatively small world of jazz vocalists, and this recording, Under a Painted Sky, will certainly attest to that. Wexler is accompanied by some of the most talented musicians in the jazz idiom, a perfect assemblage of formidable artists to complete this musical tableau.On "And I Hoped For Your Love" Judy Wexler lays it all on the line as she interprets the lyrics to this song of sorrow with her soul bared. Alan Pasqua adds his magical touch to an already elegant tu
24 Mar
Into The Moment by Cinzia Spata
Thursday, 24 March 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
I must confess, I have never heard of Cinzia Spata. While I have been broadening my horizons with respect to international talent lately, and Italy has been a source of some fine musicians, vocalists, jazz vocalists have not been a major find. Until now that is! Cinzia Spata's voice is beyond my writing capability to describe here. On her KOINÃ records release, Into the Moment, I discovered that she is a jazz vocalist extraordinaire. The opening track is a piece by Keith Jarrett entitled "Questa
Jane Stuart, a New Jersey vocalist, has released her second CD Don't Look Back on JSM records. This multi-talented performer has been singing for a long time, since the age of five. The maturity of her instrument is evidenced by her skilled phrasing and overall command of the genre of jazz. Stuart worked with her long-time collaborator Rave Tesar (arranging, keyboards, engineering, mixing, and mastering) to produce this collection of notable tunes from composers such as Cole Porter, the Gershwin
This CD, Dream On, by New Hampshire-based Kathleen Kolman, was one of those incredible surprises that one stumbles on every now and then. Until you listen, one cannot appreciate the rich, deep tonality of Kolman's voice. Not only am I surprised at the beauty of this unique voice, I am intrigued at the application of this voice to the popular Latin and original tunes."Dream On," the title track, is in fact, that Aerosmith classic by Steven Tyler. In Kolman's hands, this is a soulful and passionat
“Tight rhythm section, exquisite solo work that enhances my singing, not overpowering it… There is a strong unity of the musicians, the vocals and the arrangements. Dynamic!” quotes Ms. Stuart, thinking back to her studio memories on Don’t Look Back. Since her debut with Beginning to See the Light, Ms. Stuart has reached another level in her career with this project, as her diversity and innovative studio work mold into a newer and revitalizing sound. The dynamics of the music, the thought proce
A young Italian vocalist from Naples with a persuasive sway describes music this way, “Music could perhaps be called the most truly human form of dialogue among people.” The assured artist is Eugenia Munari and her passion… jazz. Ms. Munari’s tone of voice can be diversely described numerous ways, but correctly stated; it would diabolically seductive with an energized feel. The rhythms would ignite the most stoic pulse into frenzy. Her debut project Challenge has by far a unique “slip into the s
Jo Thompson shows she’s only getting better with age on Forever Fabulous. The octogenarian is in fine form leading the J.C. Heard Orchestra, under musical director Walt Szymanski, through 15 jazz and blues jewels. The singer-pianist sets the tone for the album by leading off with a strong, high-energy version of “Bye Bye Blackbird” that will transport listeners back to the big band days. Thompson is the smart, sassy girl singer and more. She offers thoroughly engaging performances of “Gee Baby A
19 Mar
Live At Rasselas by Margie Baker & Friends
Saturday, 19 March 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
San Francisco vocalist Margie Baker’s assembled five musician friends with the idea of playing African-American music from the 1930s and ‘40s, which was then known as “race music.” Their three-hour sets would be tribute to the music that Baker heard as a young girl growing up in the city’s Fillmore District, the scene of several nightclubs that housed black entertainers on the “chitlin circuit” when they came through the city. She was too young to be allowed inside these clubs, but the music was
Jane Stuart has all the attributes of a real jazz singer and she utilizes them all in this fine album. The musicians are all first class, and that's as it should be on a recording of this calibre."I Just Found Out About Love" A happy tempo and some hip scatting from La Belle Stuart gets this album off the ground in a hurry. In the immortal words of Jerry Lewis, "I Like It, I Like It""Let It Come To You" Is an original by Stuart. This track is an introspective look into the soul of Jane Stuart. T
Sean Sullivan wants to do it all and wants to give listeners everything in his musical arsenal on Square One. The New York-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist delivers no fewer than 21 songs (17 on the disc and four bonus downloads) that showcase his considerable talents. A two-time winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, Sullivan brings five original numbers to the album, ranging from the catchy jazz-funk title song to the soft island-flavored “Summer Rain.” Sullivan then swings loos
Vocalist/pianist Peter Eldridge, perhaps best known for his work with the Grammy winning New York Voices, delivers a Latin-inspired collection of sleek songwriting with Mad Heaven, his first venture for Palmetto Records. Following in the footsteps of his critically acclaimed, self-produced 2005 release Decorum, Eldridge offers up sophisticated arrangements and clever, personalized lyrics, accompanied by a top notch crew of jazz sidemen. Eldridge's music finds comfort in a variety of Brazilian gr
12 Mar
Life Of The Music by Lauren Hooker
Saturday, 12 March 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Lauren Hooker delivers a bold album full of interesting twists and turns. The surprises start early. She opens the album with a cool original that she kicks off but then turns over to poet Jeanette Curtis Rideau, who delivers a spoken-word performance. The track conjures up the feel and sounds of a 1950s nightclub inhabited by hip beatniks. “I ride your music—feel your story and smile,” says Rideau as a horn wails behind her. “Because your music brings out the poetry in me.” Life Of The Music co
09 Mar
Silver Pony by Cassandra Wilson
Wednesday, 09 March 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
These are tough times for jazz vocalists. Most have recorded all the life out of the American Songbook repertoire, beating standards into an early death. Yet, recordings of standards by jazz singers keep coming out and coming out, and coming out. Thank goodness there are a few vocalists, like Norma Winstone, who have uncompromising taste and are willing to step out on a ledge, usually with great results. Cassandra Wilson has always been one of these kinds of jazz singers. Sure, she’s covere
09 Mar
And To All A Good Night by Greta Matassa
Wednesday, 09 March 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Probably the last thing anyone would ever expect to come from cutting edge jazz label Origin Records, would be a traditionally-oriented jazz Christmas album, but that is exactly what we get in this release from vocalist Greta Matassa, and bassist and vocalist Clipper Anderson. If there is anything cutting edge about this release, it’s in the fact so many of these Christmas songs are rarities. For example, “The Bell That Couldn’t Jingle” comes from the Tijuana Brass Christmas recording, and “Th
09 Mar
From Me To You by Paula Prophet
Wednesday, 09 March 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Chicago native, composer and vocalist Paula Prophet studied classical guitar as a child, but credits her musical training to listening to the Motown and classic jazz singers as a child. She credits her work of 20 years as a licensed therapist in providing the inspiration for compositional/lyricist abilities. Her previous work includes time spent performing with Dr. Feelgood and the Interns of Love, on tour throughout the United States and internationally. This short 23-minute demo/introductory
09 Mar
Here's To Joe by Paul Broadnax
Wednesday, 09 March 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Boston native, New England perennial jazz award winner and vocalist, Paul Broadnax spent time in the service before working as an arranger for the Sabby Lewis Band. Later, he worked with bands led by Tom Kennedy and Buster Daniels. In the 1970s, he worked in the Paul Champ Three before forming a trio with bassist Dave Trefethen and drummer Les Harris, Jr. Broadnax currently works in trio with Dave, now on guitar, and Peter Kontrimas on bass. Among the artists Broadnax has worked with include
Rob Keiter recorded The Glory Of Love during a rough patch in his life. In the midst of the breakup of his 23-year marriage, he found himself putting together a collection of a dozen love songs. The emotion was overwhelming. As he was singing “This Nearly Was Mine,” Keiter couldn’t hold back the tears. Still, he managed to keep singing about lost love until the song’s conclusion. Everyone there realized it was a moment that couldn’t be recreated, so that became the one and only take of the song.
Vocalist Alison Ruble has gathered a strong set of jazz and folk-rock songs for her second Origin Records release. After displaying her diverse musical taste on her 2008 debut, This is a Bird, Ruble drives home the point that she is as comfortable reinterpreting the American songbook as she is covering recent songs by Emmylou Harris and Bonnie Raitt. Ruble also continues to work with some of Chicago’s top musicians, including guitarist John McLean, who did all the arrangements on Ashland. The 10
Easy Street is a delightful collection of jazz ballads presented with simple but effective arrangements that allows the listener to appreciate Callie Cardamon beautiful voice and cool delivery.As any good jazz singer Callie imprint every song with a bluesy feeling, singing behind the beat, a vocal technique most female jazz singers learned from the great Billie Holiday. "When sunny gets blue" and "Dream a little dream are perfect examples of the application of this technique. On "Dream a little
26 Feb
Tribute to Greatness by Lutalo Olutosin
Saturday, 26 February 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Indiana native Lutalo Sweet Lu Olutosin debut album Tribute to Greatness is a nice collection of songs that reflects and pay homage to his influences that includes gospel, soul and jazz music. Lutalo song selection is interesting with some music not often recorded like "Four", "On the red clay" and "All Blues".Lutalo has a deep, soulful voice with a recognizable influence of singer Al Jarreau. You may hear Jarreau influence in the first song, "I bet you thought I'd never find you", even the way
24 Feb
Hungry Girl by Margie Nelson
Thursday, 24 February 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Even though she is a singer with lot of experience Hungry Girl is Margie Nelson debut album. A singer with a sultry voice, Margie can be funny, classy and romantic. Impossible to listen to the lyrics of the song "Hungry Girl" witout smiling. One line of the song says "Rachel Ray has nothing on me". In obvious reference to Food Network star Rachel Ray.Margie sweetness in "I love the way you're breaking my heart" is an example of her romantic side. And her latin side shows in the song "An ocassion
21 Feb
Stories Yet To Tell by Norma Winstone
Monday, 21 February 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Stories Yet To Tell is something very special indeed from British jazz singer Norma Winstone. Somehow, all the material on this album summarizes what the ECM label is all about: spacious, haunting music that leaves you with a sense of lingering reflection at what you have just listened to. It's the kind of music where the space between the notes and tracks is as important as the notes being played.Hard to classify or label in terms of content, one thing the album isn't is in your face. This i
There is a little bit of Broadway in the way MJ Territo sings. And even in the jazzier moments on the album, Territo does not sound like any other female jazz singer. Her pharsing and style reminds me more of male singers, like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett than Holiday or Ella. Territo has kind of the same coolness on her phrasing.You can hear on Territo voice, she is having a lot of fun singing songs like Down with love, Mambo italiano, Lady is a tramp, Gotta serve somebody, Jobim Waters of M
Jazz standards in an intimate format of just guitar, bass and clear, rich vocals, that is the new album of Jenny Davis, Inside you. Jenny Davis vocals are equally soulful and honest in ballads like My romance or swingin pieces like On green dolphin strett. Like any good jazz musician Jenny use her voice as an instrument, improvising and playing with the melodies. She is the kind of singer that gets deep into the songs and makes you feel the lyrics.Jenny has a unique style yet deeply rooted in th
20 Feb
Songs of Love and Destruction by Elisabeth Lohninger
Sunday, 20 February 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Elisabeth Lohninger’s album, Songs of Love and Destruction, is full of extremely emotional songs. This album could take the listener on some kind of an emotional rollercoaster ride, but some tend to need something similar to realize that life is what it is. For example; her song, “Save Me” –“Save me from you/But pave me a way to you…/Spoil me with you/and soil me with the world of you.” A singer-songwriter expressed the album best. This album gives the experience “from both sides.” This album is
18 Feb
When Love Happens by Sandra Booker
Friday, 18 February 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
UCLA ethnomusicology graduate and New Orleans native, Sandra Booker was the first vocal student to receive the Julian Cannonball Adderley Memorial Scholarship. Since then, she has taught vocal workshops at universities like Cal State Northridge and Santa Monica Community College, as well as at various high schools. Professionally, you’ve probably heard her voice on Coca-Cola and Ralph Lauren television commercials. All of this is to lay the groundwork that Booker is the real deal. An artist
What a better way to start Canadian singer/composer Laura Harrison's debut album Now Here, than with the extraordinaire interpretation and fabulous scats in the Sarah Vaughan song "Shulie a Bop." The hard swing, superb scats and amazing phrasing on this first track should tell you what's this lady is all about. Laura is a singer with complete command over her voice, a master of scats and improvisations. This is how a jazz singer should sound.Laura sings in perfect Portuguese in Vinicius de Morae
16 Feb
A Glance At Destiny by Rita Edmond
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Vocalist and Ohio native Rita Edmond began singing in the church. Later studies with the highly regarded vocal teacher Evangeline Stewart only helped refine the four-octave vocal instrument that Rita has so sweetly polished over her career. A longtime experienced singer of R&B and pop demos for companies like Motown, BET, MCA, EMI Publishing and Warner-Chappell, left the artist wanting. Two years ago Edmond began to move out and explore more heavily the jazz inflected singing that was in h
15 Feb
Here's that rainy day by Nicole Lvoff
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Here's that rainy day is the debut album from California native singer, Nicole Lvoff. An album with delicate arrangements plus the crystal clear tone and sweet voice of Nicole Lvoff on songs like Darn that dream, Here's that rainy day, the slow and sexy Angel eyes and Billie Holiday Don't Explain. This is music for romance, to listen with that special someone.But Nicole and her band can swing too. Listen to the slow swinging version Sometimes I'm Happy, the upbeat swing arrangement of Too marvel
14 Feb
Bossanovafied by Kristine Mills
Monday, 14 February 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Besides having a beautiful, sexy voice, and a nice phrasing influenced by jazz, pop and Bossa Nova, Kristine Mills is a wonderful composer. Her new album Bossanovafied is wonderful collection of original, romantic songs, heavily influenced by brazilian music. She even recorded most of the CD in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil with a group of talented musicians. The brazilian feel may be heard all over the album, like the Bossa harmonies on I Wish or the flute intro on That was yesterday. Jose Carlos Bigo
13 Feb
Tell Her for Me by Henry Darragh
Sunday, 13 February 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
There are some great male singers in the history of jazz like Louis Armsrong Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and more recently, Harry Connick Jr., but male jazz singers have always been a minority. Well, there’s a new name to add to the list, talented singer/composer, piano and trombone player, Henry Darragh. Usually, jazz singers prefer to record recognized jazz standards instead of original compositions. Henry Darragh chose the hard way, recording mostly originals on his album, Tell Her for Me.Tel
13 Feb
View from Telegraph Hil by Black Olive Jazz
Sunday, 13 February 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Caravan is the first track on Black Olive Jazz project View from telegraph hill. The arrangement of this classic, one of the most recognized and recorded in jazz history, has some interesting tempo changes with scats with Arabian influences by Kay Andreas. "Caravan" is a composition of Juan Tizol, Puerto Rican trombonist with the Duke Ellington Orchestra and even though "Caravan" is regarded as one of the first latin jazz compositions, the original music already has an Arabian feeling. The secon
12 Feb
Here with you by Anne Kozuch
Saturday, 12 February 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Annie Kozuch surrounded herself with a group of great musicians for this album, but there is no doubt who is the star here. Annie is not just another beautiful voice, she is a versatile singer capable of singing in different styles and languages. Annie sings Jobim "Chega de saudade" and "Corcovado" in perfect portuguese, and with the perfect feel for Bossa Nova. In "I love being here with you" Annie vocals are powerful and playful with the addition of some exquisite scats. In "I'm through with l
12 Feb
In your eyes by Robin Aleman
Saturday, 12 February 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Robin Aleman new album In your eyes starts with a bang with the cool version of Irving Berlin Steppin out with my baby. Most of the song is just drums and Robin voice with impressive piano and drums solos by David Epstein and Brian Adler. In almost all the tracks Robin is accompanied by a trio of just piano, bass and drums. This format allows the listener to appreciate Robin beautiful tone and unique phrasing. Listen to the wonderful version of All or nothing at all or the bass and voice arrange
11 Feb
Life Of The Music by Lauren Hooker
Friday, 11 February 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
“Life of the Music” is Lauren Hooker’s second CD coming three years after her debut effort. The CD gives an expansive sampling of Ms. Hooker’s styles and skills as vocalist, composer and pianist. The CD features many of her own compositions executed by a talented list of musicians including John Hart on guitars, and a guest appearance of Mike Richmond on cello and acoustic bass, as well as many other players. Hooker’s vocal styling is unique and her lyrics lend themselves to that style. Whi
10 Feb
Joyce Cobb with the Michael Jefry Stevens Trio by Joyce Cobb
Thursday, 10 February 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Described as the “Queen of Beale Street” by some, and “Memphis’ Queen of jazz, soul and pop” by others, Joyce Cobb earns any accolade that she has garnered over the years on her latest self-titled CD recorded with the Michael Jefry Stevens Trio. Ms. Cobb is a vocal talent that conjures up all sorts of images of the great jazz singers. Stevens, in an interview in the studio (Youtube) describes Cobb as “a cross between Billy Holliday and Ella Fitzgerald.” I couldn’t agree with him more. While th
10 Feb
Return to Jazz Standards by Lisa Maxwell
Thursday, 10 February 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Like the tittle suggests this album is full of Jazz standards wonderfully interpreted by singer Lisa Maxell. Standards like the swinging versions of Cole Porter You'd be so nice to come home to, Rodgers and Hart My Romance and Ray Noble I hedn't anyone till you with extraordinaire piano solos by Lisa husband George Newall, who also did all the arrangements and produced the album.This is an album full of romance also and like t
09 Feb
Here with You by Annie Kozuch
Wednesday, 09 February 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Sunday afternoons could not be more alluring than with an assured vocal intimacy that captures the inner soul of an ageless lover's romantic sway. Enter vocalist Ms. Annie Kozuch. Actress and singer, her gift to sensually embrace one's “purr” with the feel of her tones is an intriguing gift for a debut spin. This enchanting artist, in her multi-gifted journey, has stylistically evoked the jazz audience with Here with You – a self released 2010 virgin project that takes her to another level, once
04 Feb
Eyes on the Horizon by Barbara Martin
Friday, 04 February 2011
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Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Barbara Martin’s CD, Eyes on the Horizon, is a jazz vocals that is marvelously and brilliantly mixed with a combination of swing, ballads, Latin, and a jazz waltz. It has been produced by Barbara Martin herself, as well as co-produced by Mac Walker. Barbara Martin’s songs are originals. She has written each and every song on this CD except for two: “Eyes on the Horizon,” written by Joel Evans, and “Painting a Picture,” written by Mac Walker. Within this CD, Barbara Martin holds on to what some m
Fede4real (born Federico Manuel Nomo Fernandez December 3 1981) is a singer, keyboardist songwriter, producer, performer, filmmaker, actor and fash...
When she recorded her previous CD Sketches Of A Dream, it was as if Rita Edmond burst upon the jazz scene almost out of nowhere. Her talent was ful...
04 Mar
Stories Yet To Tell by Norma Winstone
Thursday, 04 March 2010
Published in
Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Stories Yet To Tell is something very special indeed from British jazz singer Norma Winstone. Somehow, all the material on this album summarize…
There is a little bit of Broadway in the way MJ Territo sings. And even in the jazzier moments on the album, Territo does not sound like any other female jazz singer. He…
03 Mar
Songs of Love and Destruction by Elisabeth Lohninger
Wednesday, 03 March 2010
Published in
Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Elisabeth Lohninger’s album, Songs of Love and Destruction, is full of extremely emotional songs. This album could take the listener on some ki…
01 Mar
When Love Happens by Sandra Booker
Monday, 01 March 2010
Published in
Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
UCLA ethnomusicology graduate and New Orleans native, Sandra Booker was the first vocal student to receive the Julian Cannonball Adderley Memorial Scholarship. Since the…
What a better way to start Canadian singer/composer Laura Harrison's debut album Now Here, than with the extraordinaire interpretation and fabulous scats in the…
28 Feb
A Glance At Destiny by Rita Edmond
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Published in
Jazz Vocals - CD Reviews
Vocalist and Ohio native Rita Edmond began singing in the church. Later studies with the highly regarded vocal teacher Evangeline Stewart only helped refine the four-octave…