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| Natasha Miller Sings the Bobby Sharp Songbook Natasha Miller performs at Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz, CA on Thursday, March 8. Miller will perform material from her two CDs devoted to the songbook of 83-year-old Bobby Sharp plus new originals penned by Miller. The group includes Josh Nelson on piano, Dan Feiszli on bass, Jeff Marrs on drums, and Adam Theis on trombone. Miller's latest CD, Don't Move, was hailed by JazzTimes magazine as, "Charming San Francisco Bay area jazz singer Natasha Miller elevates a set of vintage but previously unheard Sharp tunes to instant classic status on her beautifully performed and arranged set." Miller will also be performing new material from an upcoming project of her own originals. In 2003, Natasha Miller discovered a gold mine. Actually, the gold mine discovered her. Miller was giving an interview on KCSM Jazz 91 in the Bay Area, promoting one of her many concerts. Little did she know that listening that day was songwriter Bobby Sharp. Known for his hit song "Unchain My Heart, " made famous and a #1 Hit by Ray Charles in 1961 and performed more recently by Joe Cocker, Sharp was blown away by Natasha's voice. After hearing her on the radio, he figured Natasha would appreciate his songs, so he sent them to her. When she opened the package of his songs, including never-before- heard gems, she knew she had discovered a long-lost treasure of the most beautiful jazz ballads--lyrically masterful, melodically exquisite, and harmonically alluring. She released I Had A Feelin', devoted to the songs of Sharp and she followed up with a second CD, Don't Move, a collection of more Sharp songs. The CD featured 11 songs, most of which have never been recorded before. That makes this album something of an historic event in its own right. Sharp's songwriting, as always, demonstrates his impeccable talent. He possesses an uncanny ability to unify the elements of his songs so they tell moving stories with a profound simplicity--always with style and grace (and sometimes, with a good bit of humor). In fact, the title of the album--Don't Move--is not just lifted from one of the tracks; you'll find it personally compelling. When you listen to it, you simply won't want to--move, that is. "Bobby's a genius, a one-man Mercer-and-Arlen team, " Natasha says. "His work will go down in the songbook of great American classics." I Had a Feelin' has garnered local and national media attention and sparked a movie production deal about Natasha and Mr. Sharp, as well. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |