Hip chick alert puts the spotlight on Christine Tobin – this gem has recently relocated from London, UK to New York. The Irish born vocalist and songwriter is renowned for her unique rich voice and original compositional style. With ten highly acclaimed CDs under her own name and four major awards under her belt, Christine is treasured in the UK and beyond as one of the leading lights on the contemporary scene. Just sayin fantastic artist and a lovely person.

Her authentic and deeply expressive sound was described by the Guardian as “Tobin’s 24 carat voice” while praising her both for the poetry of her compositions and the warmth of her golden voice. She has led various projects and in 2012 ‘Sailing to Byzantium’, her settings of WB Yeats poems, won a British Composer Award. The following year she won a ‘Herald Angel Award’ at the Edinburgh Festival for her concert ‘A Thousand Kisses Deep” and in 2014 she won ‘Jazz Vocalist of the Year’ at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards. Christine is a regular guest presenter on BBC Radio 3’s Jazz Library program. The special documentary program ‘Out with Paganism’ she presented for RTE Lyric FM was a Silver Radio Winner at the New York Festivals – 2013 World’s Best Radio Programs. She has played and recorded with US musicians Billy Hart, Mark Turner, Leo Genovese, John Hebert, Joe Locke, Billy Childs, Gary Versace, Harvie S, Jeff Williams, James Genus and been a guest artist/tutor on the Jazz for Kids program at the Jazz Standard.

Check out this YouTube of Christine singing Leonard Cohen’s ‘Everybody Knows’ from her album Secret Life Of A Girl.
Christine Tobin vocals; Phil Robson guitar; Liam Noble piano; Kate Shortt cello; Dave Whitford bass; Thebe Lipere percussion; perfection-

This summer Christine appeared at the Xerox Rochester Jazz Festival, Edmonton and Vancouver Jazz Festivals and recent NYC shows include Club Bonafide, Kitano, Bar Next Door and National Sawdust. I am thrilled that she will be my guest at the Metropolitan Room on September 20^th at 7 pm – for the third installment of my “Perez My Way”, “Sinatra the Rat Pack” show  – she will sing a surprise Sinatra song and she plays at the Irish Arts Center onDecember 9.  Please support live music – come out get your tickets now-

“London’s loss is New York’s gain. The Irish-born Christine Tobin has long been part of an elite group of U.K singers who are always up to something hip and courageous. Check out Christine and her beautiful throaty voice.” James Gavin

“Balancing improv adventures against deep, purring expositions of memorable themes and haunting lyrics, confirmed how far this gifted, imaginative and honest artist has come in a career she has successfully steered by her own star.” – The Guardian

Please check out her website!

Hip chick she is the real deal- and I am happy to call her a friend -Peace Perez

Last night at Mezzrow in NYC I witnessed a fantastic performance by these two artists – Hilary Gardner and Ehud Asherie; a sheer delight. Here was the first set:

• You Took Advantage of Me – Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart
• I Didn’t Know What Time It Was – Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart
• Sweet and Slow – Harry Warren, Al Dubin
• Shadow Waltz – Harry Warren, Al Dubin
• After You’ve Gone – Turner Layton, Henry Creamer
• Meditacao – Antonio Carlos Jobim
• Lush Life (piano instrumental solo) – Billy Strayhorn
• I Never Has Seen Snow – Harold Arlen, Truman Capote
• Make Someone Happy – Jule Styne, Betty Comden, Adolph Green

image by Jeff Evans

Hilary & Ehud have been exploring the music of Rodgers & Hart for the past several months; their songs are among the favorites in the Great American Songbook. Hip Cats take note, the new Woody Allen film (Café Society) features a lot of Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart tunes, so they thought it would be fun to feature them.  Harry Warren is one of their favorite composers, as well, and Shadow Waltz & Sweet & Slow are two songs Ehud introduced to Hilary.  They both love Brazilian music and wanted to acknowledge Brazil — the Olympics are happening in Rio, so they had to do a Jobim tune.  Ehud’s high school music teachers were in the audience, so he was featured on a solo instrumental performance of Lush Life. Harold Arlen wrote songs for a musical with Truman Capote; it was called “House of Flowers” and the most famous song from that show is “A Sleepin’ Bee,” but they chose a more obscure song for their set.  Jule Styne was one of Sinatra’s favorite songwriters and they love doing “Make Someone Happy.”  All I can say is the performance was  outstanding, superb, super, excellent, first-rate, first-class, dazzling, out of this world, breathtaking!  It was a pleasure to see this dynamic duo – check them out on YouTube:

I Didn’t Know What Time It Was

After You’ve Gone

And their webpages:

Hilary Gardner

Ehud Asherie

PEREZ and Ehud Asherie at Mezzrow NYC

Really hip cats – catch these two when you can- Peace Perez

Hip chick alert puts the spot light on Barb Jungr.  She has one of the most powerful voices of our time.  Just this week Glam Adelaide said in a review of the Australian gig -it’s as if Edith Piaf and Nick Cave had a love-child, who was adopted by Carmen McRae.”  Just saying- Barb is incredible.

I met Barb last year at APAP at Gail Boyds event and we hit it off- She was presenting songs from her cd Hard Rain accompanied by my friend Laurence Hobgood  and I just fell in love- her voice her energy- her spirit.

Here is a clip of the Making of that amazing CD- Hard Rain: The songs of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tssuy8Y5YrE

Jungr, who is of both Czech and German descent, has been labeled a chansonnière in Europe, but her musical interpretations often defy classification stateside. While she was hailed as the “high priestess of cabaret“ by Time Out New York. Jungr makes it clear that her aspirations extend into other genres, too. I classify her as a master storyteller – a world interrupter and guide to our social consciousness.

Next week Barb is back in London Tues 28th Jun to 2nd Jul, 8pm – so a note to all my British friends RUN GO GO SEE HER!

Reserve your tickets now–  Tues 28th Jun to 2nd Jul, 8pm

THAT’S LIFE:

Award winning “great British cabaret singer” (The New York Times) and “One of the best night club singers in the world” (Time Out New York), Barb Jungr, joins forces with the formidably talented Grammy and two time Emmy Award winning US composer, arranger and music director John McDaniel to celebrate life in all its colours. John, one of the most sought after Music Directors and arrangers on Broadway, and Barb, whose recorded and live work is now known worldwide, have together toured both sides of the Atlantic with their rave reviewed, 5 star collection of Beatles songs, “Come Together”. THAT’S LIFE will showcase new arrangements of Sondheim, Sinatra, The Beatles and more.Nominated for “Best Duo Show of 2015” by BroadwayWorld.com

And here’s an image of us gals at the Metropolitan Room –

Barb Junger, Perez

I just love her energy and voice!

With 6 critically acclaimed CDs and a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal CD Kate McGarry has become recognized as a jazz artist who brings authenticity and vitality to every song regardless of genre. The Wall St. Journal calls her, “Austere and elegant,” New York Times pronounced her music, “astute and sensitive”. She currently performs in jazz clubs, performing arts centers and festivals throughout the US and abroad.  As an educator she has taught at New England Conservatory and currently serves on the faculty of Manhattan School of Music.

I just saw her this weekend again – and I always love her musical moments – this past weekend she was at NYC jazz Standard as a part of Fred Hersch duo series – Downbeat Magazine has cited McGarry as ‘Rising Star’ vocalist for the past 9 years. She has been interviewed on All Things Considered, and has performed on Jazz Set w/DeeDee Bridgwater, Piano Jazz w/Marion McPartland, and a host of nationally syndicated radio shows.
Kate is a member of the vocal collective MOSS which features Theo Bleckmann, Peter Eldridge, Lauren Kinhan and Luciana Souza. The group’s debut CD, MOSS on Sunnyside Records, garnered a rare 4.5 Stars from Down Beat Magazine.

Here is a fab concert! Soundwaves 3-songs concert with Kate McGarry & Keith Ganz

https://vimeo.com/133841189

McGarry has performed on some of the world’s most beloved stages, from Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Birdland to the Newport Jazz Festival, Berlin Jazz Fest and Jazz Baltica and has performed, recorded or toured with such jazz luminaries as Hank Jones, Clark Terry, Archie Shepp, Fred Hersch, Kurt Elling, Maria Schneider, John Hollenbeck and Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown. Kate represented the U.S. State Department and Jazz at Lincoln Center for 3 years in the American Music Abroad program, touring thru Romania, Albania, Brazil, Chile, China and Mongolia.
Kate currently lives in Durham North Carolina with husband/guitarist Keith Ganz.

Kate’s vision for the future includes recording, touring, composing and collaborating as well as teaching and continuing to pass on the many gifts that the jazz music tradition has given to her. As The Nashville Scene noted, “McGarry embraces jazz’s freedom and points the genre toward a future that’s as fresh and thrilling as it’s past.”

Here is her site- go go go see her when she’s in your neck of the woods!

http://www.katemcgarry.com/

Peace Perez

Hip Chick Alert Puts the spotlight on The Seventh Annual Summit will be the most exciting yet. I was there last night for the opening night of the Summit- it was inspiring!  Really opened my eyes- the challenges that women around the world have in their day to day lives- I feel truly blessed but today more aware of what’s going on around the world-

Last night amazing – I am at work today and I am unable to join all three days?  I will be am watching it live stream at womenintheworld.com

My eyes are opened -my heart heavy- and I have hope for a better future for women everywhere.

And you should too- You will meet women waging peace against AFRICAN JIHAD.  Women speaking TRUTH TO POWER in authoritarian TURKEY.Women standing up to MISOGYNY in India, Iran and the United States of America.

Here is a clip from last year-

You will hear and learn from Meryl Streep, Megyn Kelly, Kerry Washington, Christine Lagarde, Mindy Kaling, Laura Bush, Cecile Richards, Indra Nooyi, Lynsey Addario and the First Lady of Afghanistan Rula Ghani.

This is fantastic as well from last year-

Plus one of America’s amazing female executives, Dr. Martine Rothblatt, University of Cambridge historian and feminist Mary Beard OBE, Afghan rapper Sonita Alizadeh, fearless Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme Ertharin Cousin, top Hollywood entertainment lawyer Nina Shaw, fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg, singer-songwriter Dayme Arocena and so many more of these remarkable Sheroes and the men who champion them!

Wooo hooo – Hip ladies – it’s worth viewing it!

Peace Perez

Hip Chick Alert puts the spotlight on the amazing Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy:

Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy is a Pakistani journalist, activist and filmmaker who has won two Academy Awards, for her 2012 documentary Saving Face and again for her 2015 documentary, A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness.

Pakistan’s renowned journalist and Oscar winning inspirational filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy on Monday has once again won Academy Award of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the category of “Best Documentary-Short Subject” from across the globe for ‘A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness’. The 37-year-old director claimed her second career Oscar.

This is what happens when determined women get together,” she said as she accepted the golden statuette.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YShEFruubD8

Chinoy in her speech praised “all the brave men out there, like my father and my husband, who push women to go to school and work and who want a more just society for women.”

After meeting Chinoy recently in Islamabad, Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif in a statement vowed to “rid Pakistan of this evil by bringing in appropriate legislation.”

“That is the power of film,” Chinoy said at the Oscars. Other accolades include a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, a Crystal Award from the World Economic Forum and a state honor from the Pakistani government. The film is based on the story of an eighteen year old girl, a survivor of the horrific honor killing attempt, who recounts the atrocious event and her tale of romance. Known locally as “Karo-Kari” the barbaric act claims thousands of victims each year.

The killing is seen as a means of restoring honor in the family household which they believe a girl has destroyed and brought dishonor to the family name. Over 4000 cases were reported in Pakistan between 1998 and 2004, with the highest rates being in Punjab followed by Sindh. In the year 2012, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, 37, had also made Pakistan proud after her documentary ‘Saving Face’ was awarded the Best Documentary Short Subject at the Oscars, making her the first Pakistani national to win an Academy Award. Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy is the only Pakistani filmmaker ever to win both an ‘Academy Award’ and an ‘Emmy Award’ and the first non-American to win a ‘Livingston Award for Young Journalists’. Chinoy has directed numerous films, each one a creative masterpiece, with fans all over the world appreciating her highly critical work. She has won numerous rewards for her work in more than 10 different countries. Her documentaries have aired on major television networks including CNN, Channel 4, PBS, HBO, CBC, the Discovery Channel, Arte and SBS. Hip Chick she is!please go see this film SUPPORT LEARN.

AND HEADS UP!  The Women in the World’s 7th Annual Summit meet the women in the headlines and the women on the front lines. Activists, artists, entrepreneurs and feminist firebrands —they’re all on the stage at this annual summit of influential, iconic women of our time and the men who admire them.

• April 6 – Opening Night (6:00PM – 8:30PM)
• April 7 – Full Day Programming (9:00AM – 5:00PM)
• April 8 – Morning/Afternoon Programming (9:00AM – 2:00PM)

.  This year’s participants include Meryl Streep, Former First Lady Laura Bush, Barbara Pierce Bush, First Lady of Afghanistan Rula Ghani, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde, Diane von Furstenberg, University of Cambridge Professor Mary Beard OBE, actor, writer and producer Mindy Kaling, United Nations World Food Programme Executive Director Ertharin Cousin, Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards, photojournalist and author Lynsey Addario, journalist Tom Friedman, activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Savannah Guthrie, New America Foundation President Anne-Marie Slaughter, Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security Executive Director Melanne Verveer, and Fox News anchor and journalist Megyn Kelly.

The full schedule and many more participants will be announced in the coming weeks! For the latest in schedule and new participants, follow Women in the World on Facebook and on Twitter. Tickets for the Summit are available here.

http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/live-events/new-york-2016/

LADIES STAY STRONG – ALWAYS SUPPORT – SUPPORT – EACH OTHER – PEACE PEREZ

Hip Chick Alert puts the spot light on Melissa Walker CEO and Founder of Jazz House Kids -Hip Chick She is – check out this clip and guess who’s voice is narrating the clip!

In 2002, Melissa’s passion for performing and working with young people led her to found Jazz House Kids, and she has proved to be a visionary leader whose work has been recognized nationally. Melissa was recently chosen as a 2014 Best 50 Women in Business Honoree in New Jersey and in 2013, the Jazz Journalists Association presented her with a Jazz Hero Award, given each year to “activists, advocates, altruists, aiders and abettors of jazz who have had significant impact in their local communities.”

Jazz House Kids has gained a reputation as one of the nation’s preeminent arts education and performance organizations. Their mission is to transform young lives and open doors to the future by offering pre-professional, year-round musical training along with community engagement and education programs for K-12 students from diverse backgrounds. Internationally renowned jazz performers teach alongside their professional staff, offering students a wide range of creative programming that develops musical potential, enhances leadership and life skills, and strengthens academic performance. Through music, mentoring, education and apprenticeship, Jazz House Kids cultivates tomorrow’s global citizens so they may build vibrant communities. This is fantastic- Jazz House Kids HAVE EVENTS ALL THE TIME- SO GO TO THEIR SITE – SUPPORT THIS FOUNDATION.

Walker is a graduate of Brown University and in 2013 completed The Prudential Foundation Nonprofit Executive Fellows Program at the Institute For Ethical Leadership at Rutgers Business School.  Originally from Alberta, Canada, Melissa lives in Montclair with her husband Christian McBride and their two dogs, Ella and Jesse.

Hip Chick she is – and please go here and donate support – go to their events ! Bam ! just saying!

http://jazzhousekids.org/support-us/

Stop by Jazz House Kids here learn more –

http://jazzhousekids.org/about-us/people-our-staff/

Please support this program- Peace Perez

What is a true artist – a person who dedicates his or her life to an art form- a person who is deeply focused on what they are creating in a moment- a person who has masterfully achieved the goal of finding a voice and yet is a part of their surroundings.  Anita Wardelll is that – all of that – and more.  Last night at the the Kitano Jazz she effortlessly presented 2 sets of flawless music along with Art Hiraharaara – Matt Aronoff and Josh Morrison –

Anita can move you with a ballad – like the Road with her lyrics to a Pat Metheny composition – another she sang was FOR ALL WE KNOW she also stimulates you with her witty lyrics to hip cats of the past solos.  Viscosity by Jay Jay Johnson ended her first set and it was flawless- and I saw several folks in the audience filming this as for it was another masterpiece on Anita’s part – witty lyrics – written by Wardell- and her spot on vocal techniques

As you watch her performance you see her focus as her eyes are closed at times and swaying to the music created by the trio that’s backing her- she is integrated into the music along with the trio created so many magical moments – all 4 musicians connecting and a pure musical message was translated to the audience- Gino Moratti – the Booker of this club said that he has never heard anyone scat like Anita – ‘’she is in a class all her own’’- and let me tell you all Gino has seen may performers over the years and he has the know how to know that he’s talking about and I respect his opinion- We will see Anita back in the states later on this year- She is available for Skype master vocal lessons through her site below, and if she’s preforming any where near you – go go go see her in action  – a Treasure to the musical community – Anita WARDELL-

www.anitawardell.com

PEACE PEREZ

This week Hip Chick Alert puts the spotlight on Natalie Douglas – I was able to see her and hear her at the APAP event this past weekend at the Hilton Hotel Natalie presented a tribute to Nina Simone – If anyone knows me – you know that I have adored Nina Simone for years and was really excited to see and hear Natalie – Well Natalie did a phenomenal job – her song choice, the set flowed perfectly, and that voice – yes, Natalie is a hip chick indeed

PHOTO Credit: Bill Westmoreland

Called, “a true force of nature,” by Clive Davis of The Times (UK) in his five-star review, Natalie Douglas is a Nightlife, Backstage Bistro & seven-time MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) Award Winner and recipient of the Margaret Whiting Award from the Mabel Mercer Foundation. Natalie’s portrait also hangs on the legendary Birdland Jazz Club Wall of Fame. Her performances have brought crowds to their feet across the U.S. (Carnegie Hall, Birdland, Café Carlyle, and Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room) and the world (The UK, Germany, Montenegro, Greece, Corsica, Argentina and Mexico) with many different concerts featuring tributes to Nina Simone, Lena Horne, Nat King Cole and Dolly Parton as well as shows about Cafe Society, the music of the 70’s and 80’s, songs of various civil rights movements and gospel influenced jazz and blues.

HERE IS A GREAT TUNE THAT NATALIE PRESENTED AT APAP – DIG HER – I DO

As an actor, she has appeared in 18 editions of “The Atrainplays,” (a 24-hour birth to performance event) at the Neighborhood Playhouse, The Peter Sharp Theatre and New World Stages and off-Broadway in “The People vs. Mona,” by the writers of Pumpboys & Dinettes. She appeared in the horror film, “The Camera’s Eye,” ABC’s “Cupid” and can be seen with her gorgeous husband showing off the good education her parents paid for on The Discovery Channel’s “Cash Cab.”

Natalie is a Visiting Artist specializing in numerous diversity workshops that she conducts all over the U.S. for public and private schools, as well as devoting attention to individual study & workshops with actors & singers of every age.

Natalie is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of USC with a Magna Cum Laude Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with certificates in Theatre and Women’s Studies and holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology from UCLA.

AND THIS IS AMAZING AND A TUNE I ADORE – I DONT WANT HIM – YOU CAN HAVE HIM

AWARDS:
The Mabel Mercer Foundation Margaret Whiting Award
Seven MAC Awards for Outstanding Vocalist, Major Artist and Jazz Vocalist, with eleven nominations
Just saying – www.nataliedouglas.com bam! when she is in your part of the woods – go see her – support live music and this tribute to Nina Simone is a must see-

Hip Chick indeed and a lovely person! Peace Perez

Vocalist Jane Irving has spent most of her life surrounded by music. Initially a childhood classical piano student, she discovered jazz in her late teens. The combination of studied learning and a natural feel for jazz, helped Irving begin to understand the potential of the voice as an instrument for pure self-expression. I met her a few years back and we hit it off. Hitting the clubs and having bubbly times at my jazz pad . She was the first singer to preform at my Sunday Duo House Concert series.

Irving was born in Sydney, Australia. She began classical piano studies at the age of 6 which continued to the end of school. “When I was 14 my parents started sending me to jazz camps in the school holidays. That’s when I first heard jazz – it felt really good.”

I caught this footage of Jane at the Zinc bar in NYC. Singing and playing piano.

‘Singing jazz is incredibly fun and discovering this art form is so much a part of that fun. I love passing on what has been my own process to this point and helping to open up new possibilities ​for people. Whether it’s working with a rhythm section; selecting a repertoire; song interpretation; stage craft; discovering your individual sound; improvising and much more.’ Jane also teaches piano to beginners. Ages 5 and up.

Irving’s voice is effortlessly projected. Sometimes a phrase is pursued with increasing pressure until the notes gliste​n, and when suddenly released in a whipping ribbon can give you the shivers.”  – S.I.M.A. Australia. “Lavish talent and striking originality.” The Weekend Australian. 

Here is Jane and Ron – together at the opening of my house concert series a few years back.

So hip cats – here is her site www.janeirving.com

Happy 2016 – Peace Perez