SPOTLIGHT ON JORDAN E.SPIVACK

Writing, recording, performing - which is your favourite aspect of being an artist and why? 
   I love to write music, which I have been doing since I was 5 years old. The whole process, from the formulation of the first ideas, to the development of themes, to the adding of voices, to adding the colors of chords and chord changes, fascinates me. And when the composition is "done", I enjoy revisiting the work to edit, add, delete, and refine, until I am entirely satisfied that I have created the best, most pleasing music. First I must be happy, then others will be happy.
What do you want people to feel while listening to your music?
   Listeners should feel that they are hearing works of art, musical mood paintings, professionally rendered. Hopefully the music will touch emotions, perhaps reflection, sadness, euphoria, pleasure, sweetness, hopefulness - whenever a person is moved in a positive way by my music (as opposed to wanting to turn the music off) I have achieved my goals. And if the listener gains an appreciation for the skills of the composer/arranger/performer, then I am especially gratified.
What tours or performances are coming up for you? 
Are  you expecting few dates in Europe and in France in particular?
   I have no current plans for touring or live performances currently. Perhaps if my music gains some success in Europe, then I would consider future performing dates.
What are you listening to at the moment?
   Mariah Carey's latest CD "Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel", composer Steve Reich's "The Four Sections", Whitney Houston's "I Look To You".
-  bio :
   I'm a composer, living in Nanuet, NY, where I am a private piano teacher. Born in Brooklyn, NY, I began piano lessons at 5 years old after my parents discovered I had the gift of music composition. Degrees: a BM/Ithaca College, MM in composition, theory and piano/Indiana University. I have written many pop songs, classical, new age & jazz tunes, 2 musicals for children, and the opera: "A Better Way". My CDs include "Think Lovely Thoughts" (2007), “My Provincetown" (2006), "Shimmer" (2004), & "World Trade Center Suite"

AMAZON link for sale:
   My Provincetown CD: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000G19PO0/qid=1150344229/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/002-9623348-2492051?n=5174
   Think Lovely Thoughts CD: http://www.amazon.com/Think-Lovely-Thoughts-Jordan-Spivack/dp/B0011V9U8U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1203098224&sr=1-1
   Shimmer CD (available soon)

I-TUNES link for sale:
   My Provincetown CD: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=165133784
   Think Lovely Thoughts CD: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=282400966
   Shimmer CD (available soon)

CD BABY link for sale:
   My Provincetown CD: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jordanespivack
   Think Lovely Thoughts CD: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jordanespivack2
   Shimmer CD: (available soon)

- Other links for sale:
   OurStage link, for over 30 Jordan E. Spivack compositions (downloads), including "Groove 2 U" and "Shimmer" from the Shimmer CD: http://www.ourstage.com/tracks/ALZPRPYLKLUV-groove-u

- MYSPACE address: www.myspace.com/jordanespivack
- FACEBOOK address: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jordan-E-Spivack/155377371536?created

ARTIST TO DISCOVER - Melora Hardin - FREE DOWNLOAD

Melora Hardin
"Makin' Love" (mp3)
from "All the Way to Mars"
(LML Music)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
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ARTIST TO DISCOVER - Bill Easley - FREE DOWNLOAD

Bill Easley
"Hearing Voices" (mp3)
from "Hearing Voices"
(18th & Vine)

Buy at Napster
Buy at Amazon MP3
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ARTIST TO DISCOVER - Antonio Ciacca Quintet - FREE DOWNLOAD

Antonio Ciacca
"Lagos Blues" (mp3)
from "Lagos Blues"
(Motema Music)

Buy at Napster
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ARTIST TO DISCOVER - Rodney JONES - Free Download

Rodney Jones
"Barney's Blues" (mp3)
from "A Thousand Small Things"
(18th & Vine)

Buy at Amazon MP3
Buy at Napster
More On This Album

SPOTLIGHT ON LAINIE COOKE!

” This lady can sing the blues. And ballads, and…well just about anything.”

   Jazz Improv, June 2008

"Lainie can cook on the kind of quality standards she prefers-the Porter-Gershwin-Rodgers &

Hart classics that challenge her dramatic bent for story-telling. She has an unerring ear for
melodic invention and an instinctive feel for time that allows her to take unusual rhythmic
liberties. And her intonation is 'right on.'"
Jazz journalist, Harvey Siders, The Los Angeles Daily News, circa 1985

Lainie’s career began at age three when she saw her first microphone. Love at first sight.
Then came her first radio show at 6, first TV show at 11, and band singer at age 14. Recording
artist took a little longer.

When a real jazz singer comes along one can’t help but take notice. And when at the age of 60
Lainie released her first CD “Here’s to Life” (Harlemwood 0101) everyone took notice. Now,
with the release of her second CD, “It’s Always You,” (Harlemwood 0108), Lainie lays claim to
what she’s been working on her whole life.
At thirteen Lainie won a city-wide talent contest in her hometown of Minneapolis: First prize - a
trip to New York. On the corner of 47th & Broadway with traffic streaming by and bright lights
dazzling her young eyes, she heard a voice - "Well, you're home now." It was prophetic.

After two years at the University of Minnesota, as a Theatre Arts major, she left for Broadway
and nightclubs, but her greatest successes came from commercials. Lots of them. For over 30
years she has been a successful voiceover artist. Credits include Jean Nate, Cremora, Asti
Spumante, Ford, McDonald's, The Daily News, Mortons, Gillette, Massengil, Saveur, Ideal Toys,
Boars Head, etc. to name but a very few, as well as dozens of Infommercials, Industrials, radio
and TV promos to numerous to mention.

In 1974, married, (now divorced), Lainie, her husband and a friend jumped into an enterprise that
would be the biggest adventure of her life. Leaving New York and an extensive career as a
voiceover actor and budding singer, she landed on the island of Jamaica running a poultry farm
and singing in island wide monthly concerts. Four years later she found herself in Los Angeles
still singing to rave reviews and core fans who continue to support her to this day.

In the early 80’s returning to her heart – New York City – she picked up where she left off -
singing in clubs, cabarets, concerts in New York and LA, and continuing to do voiceovers.

In the spirit of “giving back” Lainie began coaching younger performers and serving on the
National and NY Local Board of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
(AFTRA). She is currently the National Recording Secretary of AFTRA. She is also
acknowledged as one of the best Voiceover coaches in the country.

Her unique style and voice contains no hype or attitude. She continues to thrill audiences old and
new with the pure emoting and gravitas only true life experience can endow in an artist.

“I’m a trained actor who’s a jazz singer. I’m a jazz singer who’s a trained actor. What I
do is about the song. It’s a very direct kind of communication. More than anything I
want to touch you. So I aim for your heart. The most important thing I can do is sing the
truth.”

SPOTLIGHT on CALABRIA FOTI – A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening

.....Calabria Foti is one of the best jazz vocalists around..." ~ Lalo Schifrin
Calabria Foti on MYSPACE

Born into a family of musicians in upstate New York, Calabria Foti grew up wholly absorbed in music. With both of her parents being highly trained and enormously talented individuals, they passed many a nugget of musical prominence down to young Calabria and she soaked up the talent like a sponge.

By 12, Calabria was kicking butt in jazz clubs and singing with her parents and their associates. She already knew how to groove on several instruments, including a serious knack for the violin. Drenched and baptized in jazz and classical, young Ms. Foti had her destiny carved out for her at a very early age. With influences from Ella Fitzgerald and Judy Garland, Calabria knew she wanted to connect with an audience and touch hearts in the same way those great singers had done.

Fast-forward to present day and Ms. Foti is using her incredible understanding of music to do just that.

2005 saw her debut record, When a Woman Loves a Man, pick up plenty of accolades. Ms. Foti was getting noticed. By the time her second record (2007’s A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening) dropped, she was receiving praise from the masters of the industry.

“One of my great pleasures in life is listening to a beautiful voice. This recording of Calabria Foti’s voice is some of the most beautiful and artistic music I have ever heard,” said Johnny Mathis. That’s right, that Johnny Mathis.

With similar words of praise from the likes of Johnny Mandel, Chris Botti, Jorge Calandrelli, and Dave Koz, it’s safe to say that Ms. Foti’s dreams of touching hearts have become realized.

A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening is, if you’ll absolve the truly obvious cliché, just that. With ten elegant songs, Calabria’s second album is a sultry and silky album certain to steam up the windows.

Ms. Foti’s enchanting voice coos over the tender bossa nova gait of “Love Me as Though There is No Tomorrow,” a song once recorded by Mathis. Her intonations of longing for love are stunning, as is the arresting nylon string guitar solo from Larry Koonse.

Calabria continues in that fashion throughout the record, charming listeners with her take on Cole Porter’s “All of You” and unleashing an impressive rendition of a Peggy Lee medley (“When Lights are Low/Linger in My Arms”).

Calabria Foti’s second album is a scorcher. Destined for greatness, her voice is capable of enchantment and the graceful way in which she achieves her exquisite sounds deserves more than a few listens. A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening is also A Lovely Way to Spend an Afternoon or A Lovely Way to Spend a Morning. For great vocal jazz at any time of the day or night, look no further than Calabria Foti.



Calabria Foti for Sale on Amazon 
Calabria Foti for Sale on CD BABY 
Calabria Foti for Sale on ITUNES
Calabria Foti for Sale on eMUSIC