This
CD is the first feature recording of vocal sensation Robin Work
with support by Grammy winning drummer Bill Goodwin, bassist
Paul
Langosch and arrangements and accompaniment by pianist
Steve Rudolph.
Nationally syndicated "Jazz After Hours" DJ,
Jim Wilke said in review
of the CD, "Robin has a honeyed voice, horn-like phrasing, dead-on
pitch, and a rhythmically secure and swinging delivery......the central
thrust is this: a fine young singer, backed by a great trio in hip arrangements
of songs both familiar and rare - done with Pure Imagination." This
new recording highlights eleven arrangements for Robin's classic jazz vocal
styling: a medley of the standard This Can't Be Love and Illinois
Jacquet's theme Robbin's Nest; a Latin rendition of Pure Imagination from
the movie Willie Wonka; a waltz version of the WWII Jimmy Van Heusen
ballad Polka Dots & Moonbeams; a swing interpretation of the Eric Clapton/
Sting collaboration It's Probably Me ; two rare tunes
from the music/lyric pens of Tommy Wolfe and Frances Landesman - Ballad
of the Sad Young Men and Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most ; a new
reading of the Billie Holiday favorite Some Other Spring; jazz pianist
Bill Evans' tribute to his niece - Waltz For Debbie; a grooving version
of Michael Franks' Tell Me All About It; the timeless I've Got the
World on a String; and a medley in homage to Brazilian composer Antonio
Carlos Jobim of his Dindi and If You Never Come To Me. Eleven varied
tunes that result in a solid vehicle for the talents of Robin Work and
the Steve Rudolph Trio.
A native of
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania,
Robin
Work has been singing professionally for over 15 years. Her
first musical experiences were with pop, R & B, and rock ensembles
and she has been the featured vocalist with Bobby Mercer's Road Show for
over 6 years. Her love affair with jazz began years ago when musical friends
introduced her to the voices of Ella, Sarah and Billy. Robin has
been exposed to the thriving jazz community in Central PA for over 10 years.
She has been featured at several Mellon Jazz Festivals, and has sung with
a variety of big bands and small ensembles. Pure Imagination is her first
recording in jazz and vividly displays her talent.
Paul Langosch, a partner in Rudolph & Langosch, Inc., the parent company of the record label R&L Jazz, is one of the finest bassists in jazz today. Paul has worked with many of the leaders in the jazz world including: Phil Woods, Mose Allison, Johnny Hartman, Bud Shank, Zoot Sims, Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis. His credits include tours with Jon Hendricks, George Shearing, Rosemary Clooney, Mel Torme, Susanna McCorkle and Conti Candoli. From 1985 to 1993 Paul was a member of the Ralph Sharon Trio that toured with Tony Bennett. During that time the trio recorded four albums with Tony and performed an average of 200 concerts per year. Included in these concerts were multiple tours in Japan, South America, Europe, and Great Britain. Paul returned to touring the world with Tony Bennett and the Ralph Sharon Trio in August of 1997.
Bill
Goodwin is best known for his 25 year assignment as drummer
for legendary saxophonist Phil Woods. Not only has he performed on
all the records through those years he served as producer on two of the
Grammy winning recordings. Bill's credits include tours with Keith
Jarrett, Gary Burton, & George Shearing. Bill's performance
on this CD demostrates his mastery of the drums and his advice in
the studio was invaluable.
Recorded and engineered by Kent Heckman at Red Rock Recording, and produced by Steve Rudolph and Paul Langosch under their new record label, R&L JAZZ, "Pure Imagination" is the third recording released by R&L in the last two years. for booking information or other questions, please call 717-545-0055 or FAX 717-545-0051. For those wishing to purchase the album call 1-800-756-5299 (756-JAZZ) or 717-545-0055 to order directly from R&L, MasterCard & Visa accepted. or mail a check or money order to Steve Rudolph at 3612 Kramer Street, Harrisburg PA 17109.
Tune
list for "Pure Imagination"
This Can't Be Love
/ Robbin's Nest (This Can't Be Love) -Rodgers & Hart - Chappel Music
Co./ Williamson Music - (Robbin's Nest) - Illinois Jacquet, Bob
Russell & Charles
Thompson - Atlantic Music Corp.
Pure Imagination
- Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley - Taradam Music, Inc.
Polka Dots &
Moonbeams - Jimmy Van Heusen & Johnny Burke - Bourne Co./Musis Sales
Corp.
It's Probably Me
- Eric Clapton, Sting & Michael Kamen
Ballad of the Sad
Young Men - Tommy Wolf & Frances Landesman - Wolfland Publications
Dindi / If You Never
Come To Me - R. Gibert, A. DeOliveira & A.C. Jobim -Ipanema Music Corp.
Some Other Spring
- Arthur Herzog, Jr - Edward B. Marks Music Co
Waltz For Debbie
- Bill Evans & Gene Lees - Folkways Music Publications Inc.
Tell Me All About
It - Michael Franks - Mississippi Mud Music Co.
Spring Can Really
Hang You Up the Most - Tommy Wolf & Frances Landesman -Wolfland Publications
I've Got the World
on a String - Harold Arlen & Ted Koehler - Fred Ahlert Music Corp.