Vocalist

Ann Hampton Callaway: Singing the standards, Streisand and making it up as she goes

Justin Steyer and Abe Beeson — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:06:16 +0000

Vocalist, pianist and composer, Ann Hampton Callaway has had success in the worlds of jazz, Broadway and cabaret. She’s also one of our favorite KPLU Studio Session guests.

We invite her to perform every time she passes through Seattle because, from one visit to the next, we never know what kind of surprises she’ll treat us to.

Molly Ringwald: Rediscovering her jazz roots

Justin Steyer and Abe Beeson — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:51:14 +0000

In 2010, actress/singer, Molly Ringwald wrote her first book, Getting The Pretty Back. The "pretty" in the title is a reference to what is perhaps Molly’s most famous movie, "Pretty In Pink" (1986), directed by John Hughes.

She also worked with Hughes in "Sixteen Candles" and "The Breakfast Club." But before Molly Ringwald became one of the world’s most famous teenagers, she was a jazz singer.

Holly Cole: Reinventing the familiar

Abe Beeson — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 21:01:00 +0000

Canadian vocalist, Holly Cole, is one of greatest song interpreters alive.

She can take a song you think you know and bring something out of it that you’ve never heard before.

For example, her latest CD, Night, contains Holly’s inventive re-imagining of a James Bond theme (You Only Live Twice), as well as songs by Danny O’Keefe, Tom Waits, Captain Beefheart, Rod McKuen and Gordon Lightfoot.

Listen to the 50 Greatest Jazz Vocals of All Time

KPLU — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 08:51:41 +0000

Last month more than 4,600 votes were cast by our listeners for the songs they felt were the greatest jazz vocal of all time.

The votes have been counted and the top 50 songs are now available below in our 24/7 stream!

50 Great Jazz Vocals: What songs should make the list?

KPLU — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 23:19:50 +0000

We are putting together a list of the 50 Quintessential Jazz Vocals of All Time.

According to who? Well, according to you!

This is your chance to cast your vote for the songs you think should be on a 'best-of'' jazz vocals list. Vote for up to three songs, and please include the song title and artist's name.

After we compile the results, the quintessential 50 will be available for streaming on Jazz24.org and KPLU.org.

VOTE NOW!

Catherine Russell: Keeping the family tradition alive

Justin Steyer and Abe Beeson — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 19:56:50 +0000

Vocalist, Catherine Russell was raised in a musical family. Her father, Luis, was Louis Armstrong’s band-leader and her mother, Carline Ray, was a member of the International Sweethearts Of Rhythm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO3JccAHRjo&hd=1

Curtis Stigers: Creating new jazz standards from contemporary

Abe Beeson and Justin Steyer — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Curtis Stigers is a singer, songwriter, saxophonist who loves the great Tin Pan Alley songs of George Gershwin and Cole Porter, but finds a greater creative challenge in doing jazz versions of songs by more contemporary songwriters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWE_wx93KR0

Halie Loren: Putting Eugene, Ore. on the jazz map

Justin Steyer and Kevin Kniestedt — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 18:20:57 +0000

In this studio session, hosted by Kevin Kniestedt, we’re pleased to introduce you to a woman who we believe is one of the finest up-and-coming international jazz talents to come along in years, Halie Loren.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zd6A99oSvw

Bellingham vocalist Cheryl Jewell: Coming home to jazz

Nick Francis and Justin Steyer — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 17:45:57 +0000

Bellingham jazz singer, Cheryl Jewell, was raised in Oak Harbor, Washington. When she went to college in Bellingham, she fell in love with that city. She left only to pursue her singing career in Chicago, Detroit and Los Angeles.

After working for several years as a rock and country singer, Cheryl decided to move back to Bellingham and pursue her first musical love—jazz. With the release of her first jazz CD, My Blue Heaven, Cheryl has placed herself on the top shelf of West Coast jazz singers.

Karrin Allyson: Relaxin' in the KPLU studios

Justin Steyer — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 22:26:14 +0000

Over the past 20 years, vocalist, Karrin Allyson, has recorded 13 albums that cover a vast musical territory. She’s explored The Great American Songbook, the musical styles of Brazil and France, the blues and the work of more contemporary songwriters. She’s recorded a tribute to John Coltrane, a CD of late-night ballads and earned 4 Grammy nominations.

Despite being so busy, every time her tour schedule brings her to Seattle, she visits her friend, jazz host Dick Stein, in the KPLU/Jazz24 performance studio to give us a sample of the music she currently exploring ... and there’s no telling what that might be.

Blues singer Janiva Magness takes the next step

John Kessler and Justin Steyer — Sat, 26 May 2012 20:15:51 +0000

Blues singer Janiva Magness just released a new CD, Stronger For It, and was recently in town performing at Jazz Alley. She and her 4-piece band visited KPLU’s Seattle Studio and performed 4 songs from the new CD. It’s her 9th release, but the first to feature songs written by her.

Sophie Milman: A young jazz singer on the move

Justin Steyer and Kevin Kniestedt — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:23:20 +0000

It would seem that jazz vocalist, Sophie Milman is in motion constantly. She was born in Russia, raised in Israel and moved to Canada when she was in her late teens. Now, at age 27, she’s just released her 6^th CD and seems to be perpetually on tour.

With someone moving as fast as Sophie, we were lucky to get her and her band into the KPLU studios for a live performance/interview, hosted by Kevin Kniestedt.

Pianst Taylor Eigsti and vocalist Becca Stevens live today on KPLU

Justin Steyer — Fri, 13 May 2011 22:15:26 +0000

Two, young and talented musicians: pianist Taylor Eigsti and vocalist Becca Stevens, will be in the KPLU studios for a live interview and performance today at 12:15 p.m.

Stevens will join the Taylor Eigsti Quartet later tonight at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley for a 7:30 p.m. performance.