Sheila Cooper (CAN)
FR 06.03.2009 | 20.30 Uhr
Fotocredit: Lucio Forte
Sheila Cooper (CAN)
„A singer on her horn and with her voice.“
Sheila Cooper, as, voc
Christian Havel, guit
Christian Salfellner, dr
Robert Jukic, bSheila Cooper Bio 2009
“A singer on her horn and with her voice, and that’s the best playing for me.” — jazz saxophone legend Lee Konitz “…the most interesting singer to emerge in the last 10 years. Exceptional among her colleagues is the fact that she is also a very talented saxophone player.” ALL ABOUT JAZZ Italy
“Cooper is further unique among her contemporaries in that she’s equally accomplished as a saxophonist…Cooper alternates between hauntingly naked sax licks and languorous vocals…” JAZZTIMES MAGAZINE, UK
“Canadian-born, NYC-based singer and saxophonist Cooper has developed her own self-assured sound as both a vocalist and altoist - her refreshingly simple, unfussy delivery befits her Konitz-esque sax tone while her unpretentious singing draws on her narrative abilities over excessive reliance on technique.” RECOMMENDED. TIMEOUT LONDON, UK
“Sheila Cooper ist ein Multitalent. Sie spielt nicht nur das Alto-Saxophon, sondern beherrscht auch gleichermaßen wunderbar ihre Stimme. Zwischen den klar gesungenen Tönen folgen mühelos eigene Improvisationen auf dem Saxophon.” JAZZ DIMENSIONS, Germany
Alto saxophonist and vocalist Sheila Cooper has been noted repeatedly in the international jazz press not only for her mastery uncommon in one who is both a singer and a horn player, but also as a musician who plays and sings with great emotional depth -- “incredible warmth and intimacy…enormous depth of feeling” (Jazzwise Magazine,UK) --
“a subtly dramatic storytelling vocalist and alto sax player …Whether she is singing or playing alto, her music has a plaintive quality that gives every phrase extra poignancy… it is blues for the very sophisticated.” (Tucson Citizen, USA)
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Born and raised in Canada, Sheila honed her craft through New York City’s jazz training grounds and has recorded and performed with internationally-known musicians such as David Liebman, Kenny Wheeler, Randy Brecker, Nancy Wilson, Renee Rosnes, Scott Colley and Clark Terry. From her former home base in New York City, Sheila toured Europe as a leader for ten years and appeared with her quartet in many concerts, clubs and festivals in Canada and the US. Sheila’s musical life has also brought her to Japan and, back in New York, to the Broadway stage where she appeared as actress, saxophonist and vocalist in the Joel Grey revival of “Cabaret”.
“Tales of Love and Longing”, a set of duets with revered Austrian pianist Fritz Pauer, was released internationally on the London jazz label Candid Records in spring 2008 to worldwide critical acclaim, and evolved from the collaboration with Fritz that began after Sheila left jazz mecca New York City for Vienna in late 2006. Her third album as vocalist, saxophonist and co-arranger contains 10 stunning ballads with themes ranging from loss and longing to hope and promise.
Cooper’s debut album “Since You Were Mine” was released in 2000 (Panorama Records) and contained a mix of familiar and seldom-heard songs featuring Renee Rosnes, Billy Drummond and Scott Colley. It was quickly described as “the best jazz vocal debut” in many years (Doug Moody, "Moody's Mood" KMFB-FM, California, USA). Her second album “While the World is in Slumber” featuring John Hart, Marcello Pellitteri and Chris Berger also showcased Sheila’s trademark quirky yet elegant arranging skills. In contrast to the debut album, it included two original compositions (one vocal, one instrumental).
When asked whether she prefers playing her saxophone or singing, Sheila replies, “I love the one I’m with: the saxophone with its groove, energy and big sound offers the possibility to discover something new with each solo, and singing, on the other hand, enables me to tell completely personal stories and live them out in 5 or 6 minutes.” As music journalist/author Will Friedwald says in the album’s liner notes: “it takes an uncommon talent to master both muses.”
Sheila Cooper currently resides in Vienna and is performing a program of original songs and re-conceived standards with her Austrian band.. She will be recording her next CD for Candid Records in New York City in spring 2009 with Gary Versace, Ed Howard and Billy Drummond.
Website:
www.sheilacooper.com
Electronic Press Kit: www.sonicebids.com/sheilacooper
Record Label Website: www.candidrecords.com
Foto Credit: Gabriela Brandenstein
