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| Reviews by: Greg Tutweiler, Singer Magazine Scott Yanow, LA Jazz Scene Buzz Weekly Bobby Jackson, WCPN Liner Notes Robert Sutton, JazzCorner News Shelley M. Shockley, Jazz Flyte Mary Strassmeyer, Scene & Heard |
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| L.A. Jazz Scene by Scott Yanow CHASING DREAMS - Review Maria Jacobs has a powerful voice, is a subtle improviser and puts plenty of feeling into her singing. Born and raised in Cleveland, she had 15 years of classical flute study and also studied piano but her main musical goal was always to be a jazz singer. She won a music scholarship to Ohio State University, sang locally, and worked as a disc jockey and at WCPN as a research assistant. She lived and sang for 11 years in Los Angeles, appearing in local jazz clubs, and currently lives in the Midwest. Chasing Dreams is her strongest jazz recording to date. Ms. Jacobs is joined by several different rhythm sections including such notables as keyboardists Geoffrey Aymer and Richard Sherman, bassists Alphonso Johnson, Tony Dumas and Sherry Luchette, and drummers Ndugu Chancler and Ralph Penland, fine accompanists who also take occasional solos. The repertoire is wide-ranging. the singer's long tones on “At Last” are quite effective, she swings easily on “Lullaby Of Birdland,” makes “Where Are You” sound quite wistful, and scats up a storm on her own cooker “Chasing Dreams.” The other eight songs include a soulful “Yeh Yeh” (which features her overdubbed voices), a very haunting version of John Coltrane's “Equinox” (which has the singer's original words), an adventurous reshaping of “Just Squeeze Me” and a scat-filled medium-tempo “It Might As Well Be Spring.” Chasing Dreams is Maria Jacobs' strongest jazz recording to date and is easily recommended. She is a singer worth discovering. Scott Yanow, author of ten books including The Jazz Singers, Jazz On Film and Jazz On Records 1917-76 More about: Scott Yanow All About Jazz.com Published: September 09, 2011 CHASING DREAMS - Review Former radio DJ Maria Jacobs soars with mesmerizing vocals on new CD It's common to hear that many DJs actually are, deep down, frustrated musicians; it's a theory which has survived generations. Its origin is simple: A number of people feel that the fiery passion that DJs have for music could have only emanated from an unrequited desire to create it themselves. Whether or not jazz vocalist Maria Jacobs strengthens that stereotype will be a matter of perspective. Her career did begin in broadcasting, starting as a research assistant at WCPN 90.3 FM in Cleveland, Ohio before taking to the microphone herself. However, with her new album Chasing Dreams, Jacobs has now established herself as a top-drawer singer, one who is as talented and emotionally stirring as the artists whose records she used to spin over the airwaves. There's no doubt that Jacobs was born to be a vocalist. The radio jobs may have paid the bills, and the nighttime caress of her voice probably made her traffic reports irresistibly listenable, but her singing has the crystalline beauty and bluesy power of the old jazz greats. Jacobs' smoky delivery on “Yeh Yeh" is utterly hypnotic; even the gentle melodies of the piano seem to be smitten by the sultriness of her vocals. “Just Squeeze Me" reveals Jacobs' range, opting for a flirtatious, upbeat tone that is downright addictive. She saves the best for last with “Pour Me a Cup of Yesterday," in which her lovely croon makes this acoustic lullaby soar. The title of the album is certainly appropriate. Most DJs do not chase their dreams of becoming musicians—yes, the theory is indeed true—yet Jacobs did. And all of us are better for it. Full story and photos click: All About Jazz JazzCorner News Published: May 18, 2011 by Robert Sutton CHASING DREAMS - Review Former DJ Maria Jacobs releases new CD brimming with soulful depth Every DJ probably has a singer inside them, and most of the time those dreams remain unfulfilled. But for Maria Jacobs, Chasing Dreams is a lifelong goal that will always be pursued. Hers is a voice that is brimming with soulful depth and emotional power, once limited to introducing songs or announcing traffic on the radio. Now Jacobs finds herself on the other side of the booth; it is her record on the air, her lovely, velvety smooth vocals crooning over the airwaves. Chasing Dreams is a knockout punch of an album. The impressive range and heartfelt feelings that her voice displays on Chasing Dreams is no amateur hour, no ego trip of a DJ simply wanting to be on stage with the stars. This lady can truly sing, plumb the deep recesses of the heart. Listen to her plaintive yearning on "Where Are You?" Jacobs evokes chills from the desperation in her vocal performance. Her singing, crestfallen and bursting with unrequited longing, captures the bittersweet aftertaste of broken romance. The title track, on the other hand, reveals her versatility. She is upbeat and playful here, quite the opposite of the song preceding it. The bouncy piano and crisp drumming of "Lullaby of Birdland" seemed to inspire Jacobs to new heights; her voice absolutely soars. Born in Cleveland, OH, Jacobs received her music education at Ohio State University. After college, Jacobs started working at regional radio stations. When she became a research assistant at WCPN 90.3 FM in Cleveland, Jacobs discovered that music would be her life, and she wanted to absorb all of it that she could. Those influences add eclectic flavors to the sound of Chasing Dreams as well as to Jacobs' multi-dimensional vocal style. Jacobs is still Chasing Dreams but the dynamite talent on display here guarantees that she will win this race. JazzCorner News L.A. Jazz Scene by Scott Yanow NO FRILLS - Review Jacobs is a fine singer with an appealing voice, a subtle style and the ability to swing. lt is always fun to discover new up-and-coming talents in the jazz world. On her debut recording "No Frills" she is joined by Mike Petrone or Robert "Skeets" Ross on piano, Martin Block or Jesse Dandy on bass, on four of the nine songs drummer Roy King and on three tunes the saxes of Gerald Linthicome. Among the highlights are a pair of vocal-piano duets; "Black Coffee" and "You Don't Know What Love Is". Based in Cleveland at the time of the recording (she has since relocated to L.A.), Maria Jacobs sings mostly melodic versions of standards (plus her own "No Frills"), stretching out a bit on "Corcovado," "In A Mellow Tone" and "You Don't Know What Love Is." This is an impressive start to what should be a productive career. More about: Scott Yanow Singer Magazine by Greg Tutweiler MARIA JACOBS LIVE - Review I heard Maria sing at the IAJE conference in Long Beach this past January. I was so impressed with her vocal talent I approached her afterward and asked if she ever thought of doing anything along the lines of Nora Jones. She promptly reached into her bag and handed me a CD, "Chasing Dreams," with a sheepish grin on her face, "I'm working on one right now." she said. "This is the demo." 'I'll take it,' I said happily. And of course I was not disappointed. Maria studied classical flute for fifteen years, but her days spent as a research assistant for a Cleveland jazz radio station DJ whet her desire to sing the smooth jazz she had been listening to. She found herself in LA in 1997 studying privately for three years with JVC recording artist Kevyn Lettau, and then on to the LA Music Academy. "Chasing Dreams" is not Maria's first CD, but quite possibly could be her best work to date. Her sultry voice, and eloquent lyrical content are captivating. Buzz Weekly NO FRILLS - Review Jacobs can be forgiven for her love of the Cleveland Indians and their offensive "smiling Indian" logo, thanks to her gorgeous, decidedly inoffensive vocals, which have graced commercials and the national anthem in major League ballparks across America, and which shine on her debut CD, "No Frills." WCPN, Cleveland, Ohio by Bobby Jackson, Music Director, Liner Notes NO FRILLS - Review From the shores of Lake Erie comes a vocalist, gifted with talent and signs of a future filled with great promise. Maria Jacobs is a native Clevelander who discovered her voice in jazz while attending Ohio State University in nearby Columbus. It's been a decade of traveling back and forth from Cleveland to Columbus and neighboring communities expanding her vocabulary and gigging with some of the hippest musicians in this Midwestern hub. Jacobs is determined, focused, and ready to live out this next chapter in her development as an artist. This CD you hold in your hands represents her first opportunity to share with a larger audience some of the experiences she has gleaned over the years, absorbing what she could from her environment both musically and personally. coating here, just favorite classic tunes she has rendered over the years. Rendered to the point where, in 1997, one could say she "owns" them. Accompanying this aspiring recording artist is Mike Petrone or Robert "Skeets" Ross on bass, Roy King on drums, a Gerald Linthicome on sax. These musicians share a common musical heritage - the "Cleveland" sound - and this bond comes out in the interaction among all the players on each tune. It is not overstated or understated. It is not pretentious. It is warm. It is real. Charlie Parker was quoted, "If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Jacobs has a story to tell out of her own life experience, through the vehicle of music. I have no doubt it will be the first of many. |
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