Back ] Home ] Next ]

CLICK HERE TO READ  MONTHLY HERALD                          CLICK HERE  TO READ Herald Monthly Magazine                                                        CLICK HERE TO READ  THE WEEKEND PAPER                     CLICK HERE  TO READ WORLD ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE                                   CLICK HERE TO READ HERALD TIMES PARADE                 CLICK HERE  TO READ THE ATLANTIC HERALD TRIBUNE

 

121

121

FAVORITE STARS OF THE YEAR

CLAIRE MARTIN                                                                                                                                                      The British Jazz Awards named her "Best Jazz Singer of 1995", and "Best Vocalist 1997

By Maximillien de Lafayette

CLAIRE MARTIN: What an artist and what a singer!! A treasure, a gem!! One of the finest performers of all time and currently, one of the best of the best in the business. The 2000 Best Vocalist British Jazz Award Winner and  Multiple award-winning Claire Martin is the finest British female Jazz vocalist of her generation. Claire's repertoire stretches far beyond the accepted confines of Jazz as witnessed by her last two albums Take my Heart and the brand new CD  "Perfect Alibi"    and her recent collaboration with Ian Shaw - 'If it's Magic' - a tribute to Stevie Wonder. The best British jazz singer for a generation" - Mojo Magazine. "Talented and hip beyond her years...the most exciting jazz star to soar to my attention in a decade..." - Rex Reed - The New York Observer. Acclaimed as the outstanding new British voice of the decade, Claire Martin achieved instant recognition with her 1992 debut album, "The Waiting Game", which was chosen as one of the Times records of the year. The pianist and composer Richard Rodney Bennett, long renowned as a connoisseur of singers, concluded his liner notes for the album with the unabashed exclamation: "This record knocks me out." Tony Bennett was equally enthusiastic when he appeared on the same bill as Claire at the Glasgow International Jazz Festival. The British Jazz Awards named her "RISING STAR of 1994", "Best Jazz Singer of 1995", and "Best Vocalist 1997". No music treasures chest is really a treasures chest without “The Waiting Game”. You got to buy it.

On July 11th 1997 Claire appeared at the prestigious 'North Sea Jazz Festival' in The Hague along with some of the greatest names in contemporary Jazz including Ray Charles, Robert Cray, Michel Legrand and Laura Fygi.  Claire's most recent album, "Take My Heart", featuring guest artist Noel Gallagher, has received the highest praise for its eclecticism, originality and bringing together of jazz and pop music. “Perfect Alibi” was released on April 17th 2000.  This album continues where “Take my Heart” left off in terms of presenting an increasingly wide variety of sources to demonstrate Claire's stunning vocal talent. The album includes songs by Phoebe Snow, Todd Rundgren, Jimi Hendrix, Laura Nyro, Julia Fordham and John Martyn who also features on this rendition of 'Man in the station'. There is a superb version of 'How can I be sure' which was a big hit for David Cassidy in the early 70's. “Take My Heart”  (New Release) is a must buy CD, one of the finest recordings of the decade.

LOUISE PITRE

LOUISE PITRE: Finally after all those years, she has been publicly recognized as a super leading star. Pitre, the essence of perfection and infinite virtuosity at many levels. Creative, genius, humble with a talent bigger than the ocean and versatility richer than our dreams. Every time we heard and saw Louise on stage, we wished if she could and would  keep on singing for ever. Louise Pitre has originated and created numerous outstanding roles onstage, and has performed in some of the best-known and acclaimed musicals of our time.  She first gained popular recognition for her portrayal of Fantine in Les Miserables in Toronto, Montreal, and Paris, and on the French cast recording. The French just adored her. One critic once told us upon attending one of her performances in France “This woman shines. She is one of the finest American  singers to perform in France”. Creative, innovative with a brilliant mind and unsurpassed artistic quality, Louise Pitre also created the role of Edith Piaf, earning her a Dora for her magnificent performance. Between portraying the heart-rending characters of Fantine & Piaf,  the mesmerizing Pitre showed her multi-dimensional creativity by performing in the light-hearted “And the World Goes Round”. Brothers”. Other Pitre’s highly acclaimed performances include the original Moliere's “Tartuffe”, “Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris”, Audrey in “Little Shop of Horrors”, and in the long-running play “ Love You, You're Perfect”. And now, finally, Louise Pitre has been internationally recognized as a super star and a world class artist for her stunning performance in “Mamma Mia!” which took Broadway by storm.  Louise in “Mamma Mia”, One of Broadway’s biggest hits in years. Her “All My Life” CD should occupy a place of honor in your music collection. Write to this great lady at: lpmail1157@aol.com

 

End of the article.

 

Back ] Home ] Next ]

CLICK HERE TO READ  MONTHLY HERALD                          CLICK HERE  TO READ Herald Monthly Magazine                                                        CLICK HERE TO READ  THE WEEKEND PAPER                     CLICK HERE  TO READ WORLD ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE                                   CLICK HERE TO READ HERALD TIMES PARADE                 CLICK HERE  TO READ THE ATLANTIC HERALD TRIBUNE