Ella Fitzgerald Reimagined Like Never Before
2017 is Ella Fitzgerald’s Centennial year. This new album features Ella’s vocals paired with new symphonic arrangements and accompaniment by the peerless London Symphony Orchestra. Classic tracks include "I Get A Kick Out Of You," "Makin' Whoopee!," and "People Will Say We're In Love," featuring the inimitable jazz singer Gregory Porter.
Seth MacFarlane’s Talent Continues to Amaze
Actor, TV and film creator, and singer, Seth MacFarlane recently released his new studio album, In Full Swing . His debut album in 2011 hit the top of the Jazz charts and received four Grammy nominations. Blessed with an arranger’s ear, MacFarlane revamped the originals with a deliberate approach, sometimes altering the tempo and structure during sessions with producer/arranger Joel McNeely. MacFarlane gives traditionally quiet ballad “But Beautiful” an uplifting bounce; he adds a sultry heft to the fluffy “A Kiss Or Two,” and he turns “Almost Like Being In Love” into a bubbly ode.
Brian Newman’s Got a Friend in Gaga
Brian Newman recently signed to Verve Records and released his first single “Sunday in New York.” The singer and trumpeter is a long-time friend and bandleader of Lady Gaga since their start up days in the NYC downtown bar scene. He surprised the crowd at his Boston House of Blues shows last month when Mother Monster showed up both nights - after performing her own strenuous shows at Fenway Park - to share the stage with her old friend. Over both nights the two sang duets of “Little Coquette,” “Call Me Irresponsible,” “What A Difference A Day Makes,” “Just A Gigolo," and “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.”
