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| Clara Ponty Releases 'Into The Light' Acclaimed pianist and vocalist Clara Ponty releases 'Into The Light' on May 7th 2012, co-produced by Stuart Bruce (Stevie Wonder, Frankie goes to Hollywood, Yes, Kate Bush) and featuring guest appearances from her father, jazz violin pioneer Jean Luc Ponty, experimental cellist Vincent Segal and maverick composer and showman violinist Nigel Kennedy. Musically, the album touches on pop, jazz, classical, Celtic, and folk genres and explores a wide range of subjects including spiritual paths, views modern life and life experiences. 'Into The Light' is also the first album that features Clara as a vocalist, as well as the talented pianist and songwriter for which she is originally known. Her soothing vocals demonstrate an urge to add another dimension to her wide-ranging instrumental pieces, compositions that draw on composers as varied as Debussy and Steve Reich, on classical technique, jazz sensibilities, and even delicate hints of Latin rhythms (as in the gorgeous "Coeur à Coeur" featuring her father Jean-Luc Ponty's deft violin). As Clara explains: "I was intrigued by the possibilities. The voice can hold a note far longer than the piano can, and you can give a more personal expression to it. This step was natural and channeled more of my femininity and sensuality." Prior to the release of 'Into The Light', Clara achieved considerable success composing solo, however the partnerships on her new project have influenced her own talent and taken her work on a foray into the unknown. This unique direction manifested itself lyrically through her collaborations with the wordsmith, poet and cult jazz lyricist Mike McGurk. As Ponty notes: "Mike has a pure quality to his work... He has the exceptional combination of philosophical depth and a childlike joy that really stands out." The result of working with these musical and poetic dignitaries, combined with Pony's insatiable appetite to learn develop as an artist is an album that is both easily accessible and experimentally unique. write your comments about the article :: © 2012 Jazz News :: home page |