Musicians: Martin Bejerano (piano), Kris Davis (piano), Hans Glawischnig (bass), Rob Jost (bass), Einar Scheving (drums), Jeff Davis (drums), Sean Harkness (guitar), Ole Mathisen (tenor sax), Lauren Riley (cello) and String Orchestra
Tracks: 1. Only You, 2. Yesterdays, 3. If Ever I Would Leave You, 4. This Is It, 5. Lovingly, 6. By Myself, 7. Firefly, 8. Day by Day, 9. “Murder”, He Says, 10. Evening Song, 11. Desafinado, 12. More Than Words Can Say
Biography: Stevie Holland has mesmerized audiences and critics in the cabaret and theater worlds with her dynamic performances and beautiful voice. Her repertoire, phrasing and innate sense of swing have also earned her respect as a rising star in jazz. Her new CD More Than Words Can Say is Stevie's most soulful, swinging and bold CD to date. Arranged and orchestrated by award winning composer Gary William Friedman, More Than Words Can Say explores classic jazz standards, songs from the 50's and 70's and some original material with exciting, innovative and haunting approaches. Stevie is backed by a string orchestra on several selections and by some of today's hottest jazz musicians led by pianists Martin Bejerano and Kris Davis. Her previous release Restless Willow charted at radio stations across the country and was voted by listeners as one of the top 10 CDs of 2004 at KSDS FM, San Diego, CA. Other honors included being voted a Top 10 Vocal CD of 2004 by the Cape Fear Jazz Appreciation Society in NC. On Restless Willow, Stevie recorded classic standards as well as less-performed songs like Dave Frishberg's "Zoot Walks In" (featuring a vocal/sax duet with David "Fathead" Newman). Her original songs on the CD include "One Touch", a duet with singer Rubén Flores and "Jeg Elsker Dig", a haunting Norwegian love ballad which made such an impact on the Norwegian community, Stevie was invited to sing it for the King and Queen of Norway. The youngest of seven children, Stevie grew up in a music-filled, Norwegian-Italian household in Westchester County, New York. She studied music and theater at New York University and went on to develop a solo career in New York City's cabaret circuit, performing in concert halls and rooms around the country. Her steady arranger and songwriting partner for the past several years has been composer Gary William Friedman. Among their recent songwriting projects, Stevie can be heard singing a new theme song for Joey Reynolds, the popular Rock n' Roll Hall-of-Famer/ Radio talk show host, which is played nightly on his national program. Do You Ever Dream, an inspirational pop CD was Stevie's recording debut as a singer/lyricist. A personal collection of songs dealing with faith and hope, Do You Ever Dream was embraced by audiences as a non-religious, spiritual journey. This Is America, a CD single produced in response to the tragedy of September 11th followed. A soaring pop anthem, This Is America served as a fundraiser for the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund. In 2002, Stevie turned to the American standard songbook, performing her critically-acclaimed show entitled Almost Like Being In Love, which set the material for a new CD of the same name and earned Stevie the BACK STAGE Bistro Award for Outstanding Vocalist of the Year. Jazz Review has dubbed Stevie a "rising star", All About Jazz has praised her "strong and self-assured delivery" and "sparkling voice". Jazz Improv Magazine praised her "innate sense of swing" and has simply declared that her "natural voice transcends categorization".
JazzReview.com
