Carmela Rappazzo New CD “Howlin’ At The Moon” + Upcoming Live Appearances

Appearing Live

With

Oscar Rossignoli-piano, Jasen Weaver-bass, Gerald T. Watkins Jr.-drums, Steve Lands-trumpet plus guests

Friday, September 7th

The New Orleans Jazz Museum

400 Esplanade Ave

New Orleans, LA 70116

www.nolajazzmuseum.org

Friday, September 28th

Buffa’s Lounge

1001 Esplanade Ave

New Orleans, LA 70116

www.buffasrestaurant.com

CARMELA RAPPAZZO “HOWLIN’ AT THE MOON”

The quietly expressive singer teams up with New Orleans jazz musicians to introduce eight new songs plus an inventive revival of “Lullaby Of The Leaves.”

Carmela Rappazzo, a veteran jazz singer/songwriter, has experienced and observed a great deal about life during her periods living in New York, Los Angeles, New Mexico and New Orleans. She has the rare ability of being able to transform personal stories into memorable music. Howlin’ At The Moon, her sixth recording, pays tribute to her new adopted hometown of New Orleans, her friendship with the late Margaret Whitton (who inspired some of the songs), and her own episodic life which usually has had jazz as its soundtrack. On Howlin’ At The Moon, Ms. Rappazzo is joined by a swinging and supportive rhythm section (pianist Oscar Rossignoli, bassist Jasen Weaver, drummer Gerald T. Watkins Jr.), trumpeter Steve Lands, saxophonist Jeronne Amari Ansari and several guests, most notably Mahmoud Chouki on lutar during “State Of Grace.”

“Genie In A Bottle” introduces Carmela’s distinctive and playful voice in a story that asks if having a genie grant her wishes would result in having all of her problems solved and happiness taking over. Pete Snell guests and takes a quirky guitar solo that adds to the mood. “Keyhole” is a sensuous tale about seeing what happens behind closed doors while the dreamy atmosphere of “Haunted” relates the singer’s painful memories of a past love. “Howlin’ At The Moon,” a New Orleans parade tune with exuberant trombone from Mark McGrain, features the narrator cutting loose from the past, losing her inhibitions, and simply having a great time. “Rush Of Heat” is a swinger that states that having a strong physical attraction is not necessarily love. “State Of Grace,” a spiritual piece in memory of Margaret Whitton, very effectively features Chouki’s lutar and Ansari’s soprano.

“Lullaby Of The Leaves”, “Revenge”, a delicious tale of getting even with someone who did the singer wrong, and “Making My Way Back To You” (which has Carmela’s mellow vocal contrasting with the lyrics about a tumultuous journey) conclude the well-rounded and continually intriguing program. Born and raised in New York, Carmela Rappazzo heard classic music from an early age with her father and five uncles being swing musicians. She performed in off-off Broadway Theater and a few independent films before moving to Los Angeles. While in L.A. she worked with several notable film directors and also sang in local clubs with top jazz musicians. She made her recording debut with Black And White (a standards album with the Jon Mayer Trio) and Regarding Frank (a tribute to 1950s Frank Sinatra) with the legendary pianist Paul Smith. Carmela started writing songs, formed her own trio, and recorded mostly new songs on The Girl Who Dreams Out Loud. Her fourth album, Joseph City, mixed together fresh versions of standards with her own originals. During her period in New Mexico, Carmela acted in local theater productions and worked on the feature film A Bird Of The Air. Her 2013 CD Myths and Legends is comprised mostly of her songs about strong and difficult women, and love gone wrong.

A storyteller of picturesque tales and an appealing singer, Carmela Rappazzo is heard at her most creative and appealing on Howlin’ At The Moon, introducing memorable and personal songs that discuss topics that can be related to by a wide audience.

Carmela Rappazzo- vocals

Oscar Rossignoli – piano

Jasen Weaver – bass

Gerald T. Watkins Jr.- drums

Steve Lands- trumpet

Jeronne Amari Ansari – sax

Mark McGrain – Trombone on ‘Keyhole’, ‘Howlin’ At The Moon’

Steve Glenn – Tuba ‘ Howlin’ At the Moon’

Mark Carroll and Paul Sanchez – backing vocals on ‘Howlin’ At The Moon’

Mahmoud Chouki – Lutar on ‘State of Grace’

Pete Snell – Guitar on ‘Genie In A Bottle’

1. Genie In A Bottle Carmela Rappazzo 4:00

2. Keyhole Carmela Rappazzo 4:13

3. Haunted Carmela Rappazzo 5:55

4. Howlin’ At The Moon Carmela Rappazzo 2:46

5. Rush Of Heat Carmela Rappazzo 4:14

6. State Of Grace Carmela Rappazzo 6:28

7. Lullaby Of The Leaves Joe Young/Bernice Petkere 4:22

8. Revenge Carmela Rappazzo 3:17

9. Making My Way Back To You Carmela Rappazzo 4:27

Available From: Amazon • CDBaby • iTunes

www.carmelarappazzo.com

MEDIA CONTACT

JIM EIGO

272 State Route 94 South #1

Warwick, NY 10990-3363

Ph: 845-986-1677 

jim@jazzpromoservices.com • www.jazzpromoservices.com

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