We decided to take beautiful songs that we have always loved and that are rare finds.. They will transport you for an hour through a time of "Fine romance and love".
Kate Baker:
“One of the most impressive performers to come along in years,” (Los Angeles Times), much in-demand vocalist, Kate Baker is a heartfelt interpreter of lyrics with “an unmistakably original voice that is smooth and hypnotic” (Boston Globe), resonating with her love of diverse musical inspirations.
A musician’s singer with a high level of musicianship, she regularly performs in a variety of settings from duo (most notably in a 20-year partnership with her late husband, legendary guitarist Vic Juris – the duo was described by the Los Angeles Times as “exciting, organic and … completely captivating.”), to small ensemble to big band. Over the years, other giants of jazz she has collaborated with include Claudio Roditi, Norman Simmons, Harvie S., Helio Alves, Steve Wilson, Houston Person, the late Richie Cole and the Alto Madness Orchestra, Dick Oatts, Dave Stryker, Dave Liebman, Todd Coolman, Rachel Z. Hakim and Duduka Da Fonseca.
For the past two decades she has been exciting audiences worldwide with a voice that bassist Harvie S. calls “beautiful and authentic,” and pianist Rachel Z. Hakim calls “irresistibly engaging and intimate … reflecting a lifetime of experiences of love, loss, and hope, and deftly showing her courageous spirit.” Z. Hakim counts herself among Ms. Baker’s many fans. “Kate’s beautiful tone and stunning vocal technique, informed by her philosophy of living as a high integrity human being, enhances her ability to connect musically with the audience and other musicians. Her pure musical heart connection inspires each of us to aim higher, love harder and pursue art fearlessly,” says Z. Hakim.
Kate has performed at venues and festivals all over the world, including the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Euro Meet, Carini and Pergine Spettacolo Jazz Festivals in Europe, as well as all over the Tri-State area, including the Berkshire, Tarrytown, JVC, and OSPAC Jazz Festivals, the Blue Note, Birdland, Jazz Forum, Jazz Standard, and Greenwich Village mainstay, the 55 Bar.
Her recording credits include appearances on Blue Horizon, (Steeplechase) Vic Plays Victor Young (Steeplechase) and A Second Look (Mel Bay Records), all with Vic Juris. She is also on American Classics with Richie Cole and the Alto Madness Orchestra. upcoming Cd Return to Shore – a duo album with Vic Juris, soon to be released.
Rachel Z:
Rachel Z graduated from the New England Conservatory with a ‘Distinction in Performance’ award while working professionally in the Boston area with performers like Bob Moses, Miroslav Vitous and George Garzone. Returning to New York in 1988, she toured with New England Conservatory schoolmate turned rhythm & jazz superstar saxman Najee and later co-wrote album Tokyo Blue. While performing and recording steadily with the classic fusion band Steps Ahead from 1988 through 1996, she also worked with Al Di Meola, Larry Coryell, Special EFX, and Angela Bofill, and began a fruitful association with producer/vibraphonist Mike Mainieri. Mainieri produced her Columbia Records debut Trust the Universe in 1993. Reflecting the influence of Corea, Hancock, and even Pat Metheny, the CD featured the jazz radio hit ‘Nardis.’
Her connection to saxophone great Wayne Shorter grew from major influence to full-blown collaborator over the two years she worked on his hit comeback album High Life, for which she built a synthesized orchestral framework to crystallize his musical vision. Rachel Z also played acoustic piano on the album and was musical director for the tour that followed. The CD won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. 1996 also saw the release of her NYC Records debut A Room of One’s Own, which she dedicated to the many women artists who have played an influential role in her life. Two years later Rachel released an album on GRP, Love is the Power, an album that featured hip-hop grooves with melodic piano flourishes and poems about the search for eternal love and wisdom through music.
Rachel returned to acoustic music, in an all-female trio eback album High Life, for which she built a synthesized orchestral framework to crystallize his musical vision. Rachel Z also played acoustic piano on the album and was musical director for the tour that followed. The CD won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. 1996 also saw the release of her NYC Records debut A Room of One’s Own, which she dedicated to the many women artists who have played an influential role in her life. Two years later Rachel released an album on GRP, Love is the Power, an album that featured hip-hop grooves with melodic piano flourishes and poems about the search for eternal love and wisdom through music.
Rachel returned to acoustic music, in an all-female trio setting, with On the Milky Way Express, her well-received tribute to Wayne Shorter, in 2000.