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| Shannon Butcher - Debut CD Words We Both Could Say On Tuesday June 10th, Canada will discover the sensual vocals of song interpreter Shannon Butcher. Raised loving jazz, pop, rock and mainstream classic hits, Ms. Butcher takes classic gems from these genres and flavours them with her unique jazz vocal twist. You and the public are invited to celebrate the release of Words We Both Could Say at the Gladstone Hotel Ballroom, 1214 Queen St. West, Toronto, 8:30PM. Hear Butcher's seductive re-imagining of Blondie's 'Call Me, ' along with No Doubt's 'I'm Just A Girl, ' the classic 'Walking After Midnight, ' and Tears for Fears' 'Mad World.' Shannon's bold song arrangements and enticing vocals will make you believe that these songs were meant to be this way. "I love the idea of reaching that person who doesn't think of jazz as the music that they listen to, " Butcher explains. "When they hear a song like 'Mad World' in this new way, the lyrics mean something completely different because the style gives it a new inflection." Shannon Butcher first came to public attention as one third of Swing Rosie, the acclaimed, Andrews Sisters-styled trio. The trio released one album, Sing Cool, Swing Hot, that was added to the rotations of JAZZ FM91, CBC Radio and AM740 and topped Canadian campus radio charts all across the country. Swing Rosie also enjoyed a regular residency at Toronto's revered The Rex, appeared on Toronto's Breakfast Television and grew a following in Europe, Japan, Australia and south of the border. Swing Rosie probably could have lasted forever, but the trio felt it was time to transition from the '40s to their individual muses, enabling Butcher to arrange and record Words We Both Could Say and appear in such high profile events as the recent Oscar Peterson Tribute Concert, where she shared the stage with Molly Johnson, David Braid and Sophie Milman. Shannon Butcher has been singing since the age of six. Influenced by her parents' Frank Sinatra music collection, Butcher learned jazz at Cawthra Park High School in Mississauga, inspired in part by a performing visit from future international superstar Diana Krall. Later, Butcher pursued post-secondary classical music studies at the University Of Toronto. Vocal lessons with Jo-Anne Bentley, Elaine Overholt and former Nylons singer Micah Barnes - as well as piano lessons from Frank Falco - also helped Butcher find her signature style. Words We Both Could Say will appeal to many types of music fans and is a fantastic 'date CD'. Produced by Marc Rogers (David Braid), the album boasts an A-team of astounding musicians: pianist Michael Shand (DK Ibomeka, Matt Dusk); bassist Ross MacIntyre (Matt Dusk, Jesse Cook); drummer Mark McLean (Billy Joel, Molly Johnson, Serena Ryder); percussionist Daniel Stone (Nelly Furtado, Eliana Cuevas), guitarist Rob Piltch (Holly Cole, Loreena McKennitt, Sophie Milman), trumpeter William Sperandei (David Braid, Ellis Marsalis) and tenor saxophonist Kelly Jefferson. Other well-known favourites from Words We Both Could Say that offer the Butcher interpretive touch include "Wichita Lineman, " "Here, There and Everywhere" from the John Lennon-Paul McCartney songbook, "It Might As Well Be Spring, " The Beach Boys' "Don't Talk, " "Strange and Beautiful, " and the Henry Mancini ballad "Slow Hot Wind." Shannon's refreshing interpretations are a welcome addition to the Canadian music scene and will surely propel her to international renown. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Jazz News :: home page |