SUE GILES - JAZZ VOCAL ARTIST: BUY CDs / DVDs

A VOICE OF HER OWN

Sue Giles, Vocalist
Black & White DVD review
Release Date: February 14, 2011

Sue Giles has been making a strong impression in the New York/New Jersey area as a jazz singer. She discovered jazz when she was nine through the music of Ella Fitzgerald and has been dedicated to the music ever since. Her recordings are excellent but the recent DVD Black & White allows fans to experience her in performance as well as hear this up-and-coming talent.

Accompanied by pianist Art Hirahara, bassist Jason Fraticelli and drummer Justin Leigh, Ms. Giles is in top form throughout the seven selections.  Stylishly shot (as one might guess from its title) in black & white, the live performance was produced in studio and has a classic feel.  Ms. Giles looks quite relaxed and comfortable and sings with an ease in a way most people casually chat with friends. 

The DVD begins with a mysterious riff and some finger snapping from the singer that forms the basis of a fresh version of  "My Funny Valentine.” She displays a strong voice that is always in-tune and full of honest emotions, and an inventive bass solo by Fraticelli is heard between two powerful verses.  Other highlights include the rarely performed standard “I Walk A Little Faster,” a highly expressive version of “Willow Weep For Me” and the optimistic “Give Your Heart” which the singer co-wrote with trumpeter Joe Magnarelli.  Ms. Giles' heated scatting and blues approach on “Save Your Love For Me" is also memorable.  Here, her rhythm section offers sympathetic yet stimulating support, giving her a perfect platform on which to create melodic variations and get her message across.

What's most impressive here is the fact that Sue Giles does not sound like any of her historic predecessors or inspirations, very much displaying a voice of her own.  I think she clearly has a great future in jazz and is already a powerful and highly appealing singer who deserves to be discovered.  Black & White is an excellent representation of how she sounds today, and of the strong talent that she possesses which will certainly continue to grow in future years.

- Scott Yanow, author of ten books including The Jazz Singers, Trumpet Kings, Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1917-76

Recorded LIVE at SALT CREEK GRILLE, Princeton, NJ.  
Mastering Engineer: SCOTT MILLER, MicroJazz / Exit 7A Studios, Trenton, NJ

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EXCERPTS FROM LINER NOTES:

"We hit the road travling with "Trav'Lin" this year in performance at the Cape May Jazz Festival in April 2008; continuing onto Eastern Europe/Montenegro the same month, and onto Osaka, Japan in May.  2008 marks a turning point in my ongoing personal and musical journey in live jazz vocal performance.  There are many elements of this performance that make me smile, not the least of which is that it was recorded, produced and completed within six weeks. This CD could not have happened without the amazing and extraordinary musical talents of pianist Art Hirahara and bassist Jason Fraticelli - two consummate artists with incredible skills, amazing ears and vision, both uniquely sensitive to their instruments and to each other.  Thanks to Art, Jason and Scott Miller for helping me creating the soul that is this recording."

SUE GILES Debut CD, WITH LOVE FROM SUE

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