Release Date: 31 December 1999
Label: Naxos - Jazz / Naxos Jazz
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 747313602728
Genres: Classical
Composer/Series: WYNTERS, Gail
Description
I don't want to be presumptuous in extolling Gail Wynters' singing capabilities, her warmth, exquisite sound, time and phrasing. As a discerning purchaser of Naxos Jazz releases you obviously have your own set of criteria for judging the value of a performer. After Sarah, Ella, Anita, Carmen and Dianne there certainly is fertile ground for comparison. Of course, my having mentioned Gail's name along with that crowd gives you the drift about where I feel she should be rated.Gail and my relationship goes back to when we were beginning our careers. We both are from the same general area of the United States, I being a Cincinnati native and Gail coming from Ashland, Kentucky, far enough south to add that charm to her speech and therefore to her lyric reading. Local live daytime television was common in those bygone days and I played in one or two of the television bands in Cincinnati. It was always a treat when Gail would make an appearance to plug an album and/or an appearance at a club. All the area musicians were captivated by her spark and swing and it was my privilege to work with her in her club appearances as well as on TV.Gail was raised, along with three sisters, in the tradition of the Nazarene church of her preacher father. It is obvious from the first notes she sings that the profound blues roots of Gospel have a deep-seated influence to this day and she seamlessly interjects them into her jazz interpretation. Her family was quite musically developed and Gail toured with them, performing in revival meetings and on the radio, fostering a large following for the group. Naturally, the music had country gospel roots, but Gail was lucky enough to have a father who also introduced her to the recordings of Billie Holiday, Art Tatum and Fats Waller.Before she migrated to New York, Gail was invited to sing with every band on the campus of her alma mater, Eastern Kentucky University. She became so popular that when she departed for the east coast her friends and associates declared a Gail Wynters Day, accompanying her to the train station, with Gail tightly clutching the key to the city presented by the Mayor!There is an elite crowd of New Yorkers who have followed Gail Wynters' singing career over the years, and her performances have elicited rave reviews. Noted New York Times writer on jazz, John S. Wilson, gave her a glowing write-up in the Critic's Choice: What's Best in All the Arts section of that newspaper. She has worked on significant projects with some of America's premier jazz musicians, including Roger Kellaway, Dick Katz, Lionel Hampton and Rufus Reid, frequently tours to South America and Europe, and has recorded for Capitol Records and RCA Victor. Included in a recent recording, special guest blues pianist and singer, Dr. John, was featured with Gail in a duet performance. However, and with some pride as producer, I feel that this is the first recording Gail has made which is totally jazz orientated, and long, long overdue.Starting w
Tracklisting
Wynters
Various
Various
Tolvan Big Band
Sfraga
Pylkkanen, Pekka
Mcclure
Brown T
David Darling
Various
Trio con Brio Copenhagen
Tagliaferri/Sciddurlo
Swr So Baden Freiburg
Seung-Yeun Huh
Oxford Girls Choir/Skinner
Monks Of Solesmes
