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| Robin Simone Hollywood Orchestra Gains - Video of the Day on AllAboutJazz! Three-time charting singer-songwriter and band leader Robin Simone fronts a seventeen-piece big band and dedicates her debut album "To those artistic dreamers, the lovers of Hollywood films and its incredible music." An industry musician who has worked on various national TV shows and who was inspired at a young age by her loving mother who sang songs from the movies, Simone chose this special concept album to share her musical dream for all to remember and enjoy the music of the movies. Though the singer's main instrumental support comes from her entire orchestra, her immediate backup group is a trio comprised of pianist Mike Greenwood, bassist Isabel Dobrev and drummer Liam Wallace. The album was designed to make it feel like watching a favorite Broadway show. The music opens up with an "Overture" and progresses through several familiar songs from The Great American Songbook before coming to an "Intermission, " then rejoining the show for the last chapter and concluding with the "Curtain Call." However, that is not the finale as that honor goes to "Swingin' on a Star with Joe (Tribute to Ella)" a raucous, playful and rambunctious way to sign off and close the curtains. However, between the beginning and the end of the album there is a lot of sensational music to be heard, starting with "The Hollywood Medley" where Simone's sultry vocals claim the familiar "Hurray for Hollywood, " the obligatory "No Business Like Show Business" and "That's Entertainment" with the big band in support playing loud and lively. The singer proceeds to belt out two incredible versions of the 1948 musical Kiss Me, Kate Cole Porter song "So in Love" as well as an emotional performance of the Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer classic "Come Rain or Come Shine" from the Broadway play St. Louis Woman. She returns with another Porter classic from the 1936 musical with a big band splash of the standard "It's De-Lovely" with propulsive statements from the band accompanying the leader on another beautiful interpretation of the classic. Songs of love changes the theme of the tunes beginning with an emotional performance on "Everything Must Change, " "The Windmills of Your Mind" from French composer Michel Legrand introduced in the 1968 movie The Thomas Crown Affair and finally a beautiful interpretation of the Harold Arlen/Ira Gershwin "The Man That Got Away" first introduced in the 1954 film A Star is Born, If one can appreciate the music of a swinging big band with a superior vocalist leading the way, combined with a respectful and tasteful treatment of unforgettable songs from the American Songbook, then this recording is a must. Robin Simone is a dazzling singer. Add to this a powerful ensemble to drive the music as a supporting cast and it is like discovering a recipe for success and that is what the Robin Simone Hollywood Orchestra (RSHO) provides on this remarkable debut. Track Listing Overture; The Hollywood Medley; So in Love; Come Rain or Come Shine; It's De-Lovely; Intermission; Everything Must Change; The Windmills of Your Mind; The Man That Got Away; Curtain Call; Swingin' on a Star with Joe (Tribute to Ella). Personnel Robin Simone - Vocals Mike Greenwood - Piano Isabel Dobrev - Bass Liam Wallace - Drums Additional Instrumentation Steve Murillo: alto saxophone, flute; Ari Silberman: alto saxophone, flute; Zane St. Andre Jackson: tenor saxophone, clarinet; Phillip Whack: tenor saxophone, clarinet: Glynnis McNamara: bass clarinet; Jonathan Bradley: trumpet; Brandyn Phillips: trumpet; Ian Holmquist: trumpet; Everett Kelly: trumpet; Brendan Kersey-Wilson: trombone; Sarah McKagan: trombone; Justin Kirk: trombone; Marc Bolin: bass trombone; Jonah Rivera: guitar; Charley Harrison: guitar; Matt Fronke: flugelhorn. Album information Title: Robin Simone Hollywood Orchestra | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Picturesque Records Jazz Weekly Review by George W. Harris Singer/songwriter Robin Simone comes up with the clever concept album of creating her own film project on a single album. Backed by her orchestra, she opens up with an "Overture" and takes us through a variety of standards before "Intermission" and concluding with a "Curtain Call", making you feel like you're taking in a show. As far as delivery, there's an energetic "The Hollywood Medley" with Simone clearly and confidently weaving around the punchy brass and Francisco Torres' trombone solo, while she goes into a Broadway mood on "So In Love" and bopping around Zane St. Andre Jackson's tenor sax on "Come Rain Or Come Shine". She's expressive and sly on "The Man That Got Away" and takes a trip to Kansas City with a wailing read of her other custom medley, "Swingin' On A Star With Joe" that is as saucy as dry rub BBQ ribs. Worth staying for the double feature! Jazziz Feature - Inside Track https://jazziz.com/new-releases/robin-simone-hollywood-orchestra/ Jazz Journalists Association - Members Update: Scott Thompson PR has been busy with guitarist/composer Strat Andriotis's January 17 release of Exits. He is also working with clarinetist/vocalist Rick Bogart as well as the Robin Simone Hollywood Orchestra. Matt Dwonszyk & Friends' Donny Time – The Music of Don DePalma are also on the list, along with Steckler/Ikawa/Plaxico/Lewis' Old Friends Beckoned/New Sounds Reckoned. write your comments about the article :: © 2025 Jazz News :: home page |