MP3 Cheryl Hodge: Original Article - JAZZ: Jazz Vocals
From Hodge''s first bluesy belted hit, "Basic Black" to the sultry sweet jazz originals with guitar great, John Stowell; this CD is one wild romp through the favourite years of the torch singer/songwriter... taking you all the way up to today.
11 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Jazz Vocals, BLUES: Jazzy Blues
Details:
About CHERYL HODGE:
With over 20 years of playing with the finest jazz musicians in the U.S. & Canada, Cheryl has made a mark. Hodge is a gifted pianist and isn''t afraid to visit the outer stretches of "scatting" territory. Her first love, however remains (and most likely forever will be...) composing. She has received numerous reviews and much acclaim.
The Oregonian recently gave her recent CD "Live and Alive" a four star review, dedicating a quarter of a page to applauding the release, sighting Hodge as having, "striking gifts; especially her full and powerful voice...shining most prominently on the bluesier tunes... Her 8ve leaps and pitch-perfect landings evoke Portland great Nancy King, while her bluesier side is reminiscent of Ernestine Anderson. Her song, Before Sunset, also reveals her ability to write and execute advanced harmonies."
Hodge has performed alongside: John Stowell, Dan Balmer, Hugh Fraser, Dee Daniels, & countless others. There are annual tours which include jazz festivals, clinics, adjudicating and club performances. She has co-written songs with Fraser and Stowell as well (recently she and John Stowell just wrapped up their first album of co-written originals - soon to be released!).
Accomplishments include a book: "A Singer''s Guide to the Well-Trained & Powerful Voice",and musical direction. Recent projects include the job of musical director (with acting director Frederick Edell), in a theatrical production of Cole Porter''s "You Never Know", and "Little Shop of Horrors" with her local community opera company.
Hodge graduated with a degree from Berklee College of Music, in Boston where she taught music for 8 years. Students have included: Paula Cole (top ten, pop), Lavinia Hudson (top ten, gospel), and Kyle Gordon (famous studio vocalist). Since then, she has recorded her vocals on several labels; including Warner Brothers and Atco Records (The Raindogs first release).
Presently, she is teaching music at Selkirk College, residing in a cozy, artistic mecca known as Nelson (B.C., Canada). She continues to record and tour; giving performances, clinics and adjudicating.