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Artist description
We are career musicians who play in multiple venues, with different bands in the US and abroad. When together, we play the jazz and blues standards of Duke Ellington, Arlen & Mercer, Cole Porter, Fats Waller et al. We’ve performed at Arci’s Place, Danny’s Skylight Cabaret and Yvonne’s in New York; Ryles Jazz Club, the WPI Alumni banquet and Borders Books in Massachusetts, and the Long Beach Foundation of the Arts & Sciences in New Jersey. Our radio and television broadcasts include WERS and 108-KISS radio, and Creatively Speaking on Channel 17 in Massachusetts. |
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Music Style
Jazz with cross-over feels in blues, salsa and gospel ! |
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Artist History
Patricia Adams, bandleader and vocalist, shuttles her renditions of standards from renaissance Harlem and Tin Pan Alley between New York and Boston venues. Reviewers say, " . . . reigns when she steps to the microphone . . . backed by a superb trio . . . classy song stylist . . . her ability to put together a musical road atlas sets Adams apart . . . voice is silky smooth, yet strong".
Stepping onto a nightclub stage for the first time in 1992 at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston, Adams segued to designated show opener there for the Frank Wilkins Vocal Showcase until 1996. Two years, a hundred open mic's and twenty nursing homes later, she took the plunge and traded her thirty-five year career in human resources management for life as a full time artist. Many press kits and phone calls later, her venues now attract those who enjoy the jazz and blues standards of the 1930's and '40's. Her following has grown from family and friends to thousands.
Earning BS and MBA degrees in the 1960's, Adams studied music theory, harmony, and improvisation at the New England Conservatory in Boston and at the Performing Arts School of Worcester in the 1990's. She has studied with Semenya McCord, Dominique Eade and Frank Wilkins in Boston and she continues her vocal study now with Jeannie Lovetri of Voice Workshop, Sheila Jordan and Kirk Nurock in Manhattan.
Her discography includes Raw Silk (1996), Blue For You (1998), and Out Of This World (2001) which placed in four categories on the 44th Annual Grammy Awards ballot. Her recordings are available through North Country Distributors in Redwood, NY and on Amazon.com. She is a voting member of National Academy Of Recording Arts & Sciences.
A New Yorker born and bred, Adams is the only child of the late Rev. Dr. Alger L. and Jessie Adams. They were advocates and activists in New York City's 1940's Harlem and a decade later, founded the Westchester Country Press, a weekly newspaper giving Black people a community voice. She comes from a familial line that has strong commitments to their endeavors and she brings that to her jazz performance. EMAIL: Patricia Adams
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Group Members
Patricia Adams - vocalsDoug Hammer - pianoLangston 'Skip' Smith - bassStanley C. Swann, III - drums |
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Instruments
Vocals, piano, organ, bass, drums, flugelhorn, trumpet, saxophone |
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Albums
Out Of This World |
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Press Reviews
The CRITICAL REVIEW
2523 Montana, El Paso, TX 79903
This latest effort from the jazz singer delivers a new approach with emphasis on intimacy between the band leader (and singer) and the musicians. The sounds are a mix of jazz, blues, gospel, and salsa. The title track sets the mood, one that exudes class. It's a song by Arlen and Mercer. On "Don't Explain" [Billie Holiday], Adams oozes out sophisticated vocals that percolate. The whole feel is a slow sizzle. "Girl Talk" fills a spot for a light fun tune. And it is good jazz too.
A classic "The Nearness of You" adds solidity to the project. I really liked the playing with great ivories, bass, and that lively drumming. It was one of my favorites. Adams voice is silky smooth yet strong. A gem.
Cole Porter's "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" is a change of pace. The mood slows and the sense is rich and thick, a quality work. On "I Had The Craziest Dream" [J Mercer] we get the unique Adams vocal touch. The fine bass work and percussion stand out. The number offers sophisticated artistry that impresses.
"Moonlight in Vermont" follows, with the long and upbeat "Corner of the Sky" coming after. Here funk and blues meld and the cut is an interesting turn in the album. A flute by guest artist Kenny Wenzel is an interesting touch. Then we come to the nuanced "Tell Me You'll Wait for Me" and "Can't We be Friends?" that harkens back to the days of ragtime-jazz.
One number that Adams sings smart on is "Come Rain or Shine" by Arlen and Mercer. The work is well-paced, lively, smart, and fun. Another guest artist on the CD is Jimmy Hill on sax. The longest track on the project is "All My Tomorrows" [Jimmy VanHeusen] (7:13) and the song proves to be a big winner. Here lush vocals meet great musical support and the results are impressive. It may be the best cut on the album as it has subtle nuances, slow yet thick movements, solid acoustics, and great production. [The production throughout the CD is top quality by Doug Hammer and Adams]
The 13th cut is an original by Adams, "Train Station Blues." It works well. The ending number is the title track but part II. This is an impressive effort. I highly recommend this album full of great jazz numbers covered perfectly by this singer and her group. There's a sense of intimacy and knowledge among the players and the result is wonderful listening. Highly recommended.
A. Canales
Copyright 2000-01
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AMG EXPERT REVIEW Artist Patricia Adams
Album Title Out of This World
Date of Release Mar 6, 2001
AMG Rating ****
Genre Jazz
For her third album, New York and Boston-based jazz vocalist Patricia Adams continues the practice she started in previous releases by addressing a play list of mostly tried and true standards peppered with a few lesser-known tunes. But whatever category the song falls in, it gets the full Adams treatment with her husky voice, excellent phrasing, good diction, and lyrical sensitivity, all with various doses of the blues. An added fillip to this album is the presence of guest artists Jimmy Hill and Kenny Wenzel to augment her regular quartet. As on her previous endeavors, she keeps her sidemen happy by allowing them plenty of opportunity to express themselves. Wenzel takes full advantage of that chance with a fine solo on "Come Rain or Come Shine," which turns into a major production with the group sounding much larger than it is. Adams never allows herself or the program to fall into a rut. The gospel/R&B-like "Corner of the Sky," with Doug Hammer on keyboards and the fancy fluting of Wenzel, comes right on the heels of a heartfelt ballad rendition of "Moonlight in Vermont," which in turn is followed by a saloon treatment of "Can't We Be Friends." Her ability to put together a musical road atlas sets Adams apart from many of the jazz vocalists on the contemporary scene. One of the more inventive arrangements is the one for "Don't Explain," which is given a processional feel with Stanley Swann's drums thumping out the promenade rhythms underneath both Adams' solemn singing and Hammer's baroque-like piano. Each of Adams' recorded efforts is a happening because of its unusual arrangements of well-known material, and this one continues right on down that road. Recommended. —
Dave Nathan
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Album B*U*Z*Z
" . . . fourteen standards played honestly with real affection."
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Greg Buium,
CADENCE
October, 2001
"I received your CD. Thanks a lot. It's a very honor for me! I played it on my radio show. I'm glad to say that it has been well received by the listeners. By phone, they chose their favorites: "Out Of This World", "Girl Talk", "I Had The Craziest Dream" and "Moonlight In Vermont". Well, I agreed with the listeners. Without doubt, you are one of the finest jazz vocalists of our era. Your voice makes us so happy ! Your swing is overwhelming and your sidemen are gifted musicians. Your CD is a gift for jazz fans".
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Joao da Penha
RADIO BRAZIL
Summer, 2001
" . . . Thanks so much for sending us the really wonderful CD's. I enjoy them very much. And - of course - I will play them as often as possible . . . we have found a very nice Cafe here in Berlin that is very interested to promote your releases, too.
Thanks for sending your release to Cafe Anneliese. They like all of your songs. My wife and I spend a lot of time there. And, sometimes I play my shows there before I go on the air with it. And they still loved it. But they wanted to have their own copy for playing . . . "
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Dirk Stursberg
RADIO 98.6 BERLIN
"Well, I've played your CD six times so far today - it is really fantastic. My favorites are "Moonlight In Vermont", a song I always loved, but rarely hear anyone do today . . . "Corner Of The Sky" is fantastic as is "Come Rain or Come Shine and "Train Station Blues" which I see you composed !."
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George Bips
GEORGE BIPS PRODUCTIONS, INC
"My friend, Mary and I really enjoyed your CD Release party today at Borders. You really connected with your audience so that we all felt a real part of the performance. My congratulations to the quartet for a superb and personable performance! Thanks for sharing your gift with us." Nancy B. Fredrickson
METRO WEST
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Additional Info
Placed in four categories on 44th annual Grammy ballot |
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Location
New York City, NY - USA |
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