Rita Bolton: Soul Full of Jazz Is Here!
“SOUL FULL OF JAZZ IS A DELIGHTFUL COLLECTION OF JAZZ STANDARDS, BLUES POP, GOSPEL AND SHOW TUNES!"
Bolton's latest album, Soul Full of Jazz, a thoughtfully curated collection of jazz and other music, is here! With this album co-produced with Hiram Hazley of Hazley Productions, Bolton and other Tampa Bay jazz musicians, including veteran bassist John Lamb of Duke Ellington fame, offer a fresh take on some of the great jazz standards. Bolton also makes her piano debut on the album.
Bolton takes the listener on a smooth journey from jazz standards to blues, pop, gospel and show tunes. Bolton is a recent survivor of head and neck cancer, and cancer treatment gave her the unexpected gift of a throaty, silky, contralto voice that makes her rare among jazz vocalists. Says Bolton, “My intent for this album is to rediscover and celebrate the message – the soul – of this beautiful music. The blues, pop, gospel and show tunes that I’ve collected for this album show jazz’s profound influence on these diverse genres."
The album includes such jazz standards as “Black Coffee,” “Summertime,” “Comes Love,” “Autumn Leaves” and “How High the Moon.” Sprinkled into the mix are pop tunes with a decidedly jazz flavor like “Midnight at the Oasis” and “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight,” and jazz blues versions of “Hound Dog” and “St. Louis Blues." Rounding out the album is the Broadway hit “Send in the Clowns” and the traditional spiritual “Walk in Jerusalem.”
Listeners can preview and purchase digital copies of Soul Full of Jazz and Bolton's other album, Trio now via Bolton's HearNow site (click on the "Go to Rita's HearNow Site" button below) and stream tracks at soundcloud.com/user-216951480 (or search "Rita Bolton"). Both digital albums are also available for purchase on such popular music download and streaming sites as Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon. The physical digipak CD (includes free digital download and free shipping) is available at ritabolton.bandcamp.com.
Check out Rita Bolton: Trio!
"Album of anything-but-standard jazz favorites is "flawless – smooth, soulful, sexy!”
With this album, Rita Bolton, a St. Petersburg, Florida-based vocalist and pianist and her trio -- veteran jazz musicians Johnny Strickler (guitar), Kyth Trantham (bass), and Karnell Robinson (drums) -- offer a fresh take on some of the great jazz standards with a spare, not overproduced, sound that evokes the live music one can hear wafting out of some tucked-away club. Rounding out the jazz standards are an R&B ballad “Rainy Night in Georgia” and “Danny Boy,” a voice-guitar duet.
For Bolton, a St. Louis native, the inspiration for this album developed over a 30-year career performing in many groups and genres. “Although I’ve sung and played just about everything, I keep returning to my roots and my great love, the jazz standards that I cut my teeth on,” Bolton said. “It’s the music that I always dreamed of recording myself one day.”
The album has received glowing reviews since its official release in 2010. Said one veteran musician, “I don’t usually gush about music, or even suggest artists to others … but there’s an exception to every rule, and this is it. Guitar, bass and drums … and her VOICE. Every time I listen to this CD, I hear something I missed before.” And, from another: “Trio is flawless – smooth, soulful, sexy -- and Bolton is crazy talented.”
Listeners can preview and purchase digital copies of Trio and Bolton's other album, Soul Full of Jazz now via Bolton's HearNow site (click on the "Go to Rita's HearNow Site" button below) and stream tracks at soundcloud.com/user-216951480 (or search "Rita Bolton"). Both digital albums are also available for purchase on such popular music download and streaming sites as Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon. The physical digipak CD (includes free digital download and free shipping) is available at ritabolton.bandcamp.com.
pics
With the late Lou Davidson at the release party for Rita Bolton: Trio, October, 2010. Lou was a veteran guitarist and singer/songwriter, and dear friend.
With Scott Iglehart (guitar), STretch Bruyn (piano), and lots of other friends at the Hangar, November, 2019.
Setting up for the release party for Rita Bolton: Trio, October, 2010.
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