Vocalist Audrey Silver may be a relative newcomer to the jazz scene, but she is already impressing audiences all over New York City as a warm and sensitive stylist. A four-month engagement at the Mansfield Hotel's M Bar readied her for last year's five-month run at Club Macanudo on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Silver has likewise become a familiar face at The Cutting Room, Chez Suzette, Prohibition, Cleopatra's Needle, and the Anyway Café. The steady stream of appearances is a testament to her instantaneous appeal and unique approach to the American songbook.
Delicious articulation and velveteen delivery lends "Up Jumped Spring" and "This Can't Be Love" the charms of a cozy romance-with an added touch of mischief. Silver's ballads are understated and intelligent. Although she considers Joe Williams, Anita O'Day and Bill Evans among her major influences, Silver has also received inspiration from artists as diverse as pop diva Annie Lennox and Brazilian jazz guitarist/composer Djavan. She has learned the basics of Yoruban chanting, delved into the atonal work of classical composer Arnold Schoenberg while a chorister, and played chamber music while growing up, experiences that have all expanded her hearing and informed her approach to leading a jazz ensemble.
She studied classical piano and cello from an early age during her childhood, but also had an early love of jazz and popular song. "While other girls were hanging posters of David Cassidy in their rooms," Silver confesses, "I was busy swooning over Fred Astaire." She took up tap dancing and spent countless hours immersed in her dad's record collection; it was filled with Broadway musicals like The Pajama Game and Guys and Dolls. They provided an introduction to many jazz standards and ignited her passion for the form. During college, Silver founded The Higher Keys, Brown University's first co-ed jazz a cappella group; she transcribed favorites by the Mills Brothers and tried her hand at arranging. She still takes charge of the settings for her tunes.
Her interest in music led to employment in the marketing and A&R departments of CBS Masterworks (now SONY Classical) and then as the Director of Marketing for Chesky Records. She earned an MBA at Columbia Business School and also worked as an account executive for advertising giant Ogilvy & Mather before being drawn back to jazz.
AUDREY SILVER, BIO, PAGE 2
In 1998, Silver began studying with vocal priestess Sheila Jordan. It was then that she first encountered Jon Raney (pianist and son of jazz great, Jimmy Raney), who encouraged her to pursue a career as a singer. He worked with her on a demo in 2000; the project included drummer Ronnie Zito whose rhythmic skills drove the bands of Woody Herman and Bobby Darin, and Jay Leonhart, a renowned bassist and chosen accompanist for Judy Garland and Tony Bennett. In addition, she has studied privately with Mark Murphy, winner of the Downbeat Readers Poll for Male Jazz Singer of the Year since 1996.
In 2003 Silver embarked on a new recording featuring an extraordinary line-up of musicians. The project includes John Cowherd, pianist and producer for Lizz Wright, and Doug Weiss, a bassist in high demand who performs regularly with Brad Mehldau, Lizz Wright and Brian Blade. Also on the recording are drummer Gerald Cleaver, guitarist Chis Bergson, percussionist Daniel Sadownick, and David Mann on flute and saxophones.
Audrey continues to perform in venues in and around New York city enabling her to expand her horizons and hone her gifts as a singer, bandleader, and arranger. They have already earned her considerable praise and attention.
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.audreysilver.com
Track List:
1. Old Country
2. A Child is Born - Intro
3. A Child is Born
4. As Long as I Live
5. You're Nearer
6. It's a Wonderful World
7. Meaning of the Blues
8. The Moon Was Yellow
9. All Too Soon
10. San Francisco River
11. No Moon at All
Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
Delicious articulation and velveteen delivery lends "Up Jumped Spring" and "This Can't Be Love" the charms of a cozy romance-with an added touch of mischief. Silver's ballads are understated and intelligent. Although she considers Joe Williams, Anita O'Day and Bill Evans among her major influences, Silver has also received inspiration from artists as diverse as pop diva Annie Lennox and Brazilian jazz guitarist/composer Djavan. She has learned the basics of Yoruban chanting, delved into the atonal work of classical composer Arnold Schoenberg while a chorister, and played chamber music while growing up, experiences that have all expanded her hearing and informed her approach to leading a jazz ensemble.
She studied classical piano and cello from an early age during her childhood, but also had an early love of jazz and popular song. "While other girls were hanging posters of David Cassidy in their rooms," Silver confesses, "I was busy swooning over Fred Astaire." She took up tap dancing and spent countless hours immersed in her dad's record collection; it was filled with Broadway musicals like The Pajama Game and Guys and Dolls. They provided an introduction to many jazz standards and ignited her passion for the form. During college, Silver founded The Higher Keys, Brown University's first co-ed jazz a cappella group; she transcribed favorites by the Mills Brothers and tried her hand at arranging. She still takes charge of the settings for her tunes.
Her interest in music led to employment in the marketing and A&R departments of CBS Masterworks (now SONY Classical) and then as the Director of Marketing for Chesky Records. She earned an MBA at Columbia Business School and also worked as an account executive for advertising giant Ogilvy & Mather before being drawn back to jazz.
AUDREY SILVER, BIO, PAGE 2
In 1998, Silver began studying with vocal priestess Sheila Jordan. It was then that she first encountered Jon Raney (pianist and son of jazz great, Jimmy Raney), who encouraged her to pursue a career as a singer. He worked with her on a demo in 2000; the project included drummer Ronnie Zito whose rhythmic skills drove the bands of Woody Herman and Bobby Darin, and Jay Leonhart, a renowned bassist and chosen accompanist for Judy Garland and Tony Bennett. In addition, she has studied privately with Mark Murphy, winner of the Downbeat Readers Poll for Male Jazz Singer of the Year since 1996.
In 2003 Silver embarked on a new recording featuring an extraordinary line-up of musicians. The project includes John Cowherd, pianist and producer for Lizz Wright, and Doug Weiss, a bassist in high demand who performs regularly with Brad Mehldau, Lizz Wright and Brian Blade. Also on the recording are drummer Gerald Cleaver, guitarist Chis Bergson, percussionist Daniel Sadownick, and David Mann on flute and saxophones.
Audrey continues to perform in venues in and around New York city enabling her to expand her horizons and hone her gifts as a singer, bandleader, and arranger. They have already earned her considerable praise and attention.
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.audreysilver.com
Track List:
1. Old Country
2. A Child is Born - Intro
3. A Child is Born
4. As Long as I Live
5. You're Nearer
6. It's a Wonderful World
7. Meaning of the Blues
8. The Moon Was Yellow
9. All Too Soon
10. San Francisco River
11. No Moon at All
Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
- JAZZ: Jazz Vocals
- EASY LISTENING: Mature
- MOOD: DREAMY