Jackie Ryan
 By Dan
Bilawsky
All About Jazz
Published: January 3, 2013
Jackie Ryan isn't simply a singer; she's a force
of nature. Her voice possesses a weighty power,
yet soars with grace and ease. Her ability to
transmute into different characters and forms,
as dictated by the song, lyrics and style, makes
her one in a million and she's managed to parlay
that unique gift into project after successful
project with some of the best in the business
backing her up. This date is no exception.
Ryan recruited bassist/arranger extraordinaire
John Clayton to build a band around her voice
and he reached out to some of his first-call
friends and relatives from the Clayton-Hamilton
Jazz Orchestra and the Clayton Brothers Quintet.
Together, this group of West Coast jazz elites
makes magic. Saxophonist Rickey Woodward
preaches from the soul with horn in hand
("Accentuate The Positive"), trumpeter Gilbert
Castellanos brings the heat, guitarist Graham
Dechter proves to be a wonderful accompanist
when Ryan opens up her Spanish heart for all to
see ("La Puerta"), and drummer Obed Calvaire
shifts effortlessly from style to style.
Each of those individuals adds volumes to the
album, but John Clayton and his unbelievably
musical offspring—pianist Gerald—prove to be the
two most valuable players. The elder Clayton's
impeccable time and feel, along with his
instincts and arranging skills, help to sell the
songs. Gerald Clayton demonstrates an
encyclopedic knowledge of styles, sounds and
suggestive maneuvers. He can thrive in a dark,
brooding and funky headspace ("Comin' Home
Baby"), deliver churchy, Richard Tee-like
backing without a problem ("Accentuate The
Positive") and inhabit a Count Basie-esque,
less-is-more mindset (Anytime, Any Day,
Anywhere").
As good as the instrumentalists may be—and they
are damn good—this date still belongs to Ryan
and she makes sure that nobody forgets it. She
can proselytize with the best of them
("Accentuate The Positive"), inhabit a Billie
Holiday-like space ("Anytime, Any Day,
Anywhere"), commune with the blues ("No One Ever
Tells You"), deliver brilliantly emotional
performances ("Throw It Away," "A Time For
Love") and carry directness in her words
("Listen Here"). Her sense of passion for this
music comes through at every turn and her skills
as an interpreter are second to none.
Listen Here makes an impression in a big way and
furthers the already sterling reputation of one
of the current vocal treasures in the world of
jazz.
Downloads
Note: all items below can be downloaded
and used in your publicity
Audio & Video Samples
 Jackie
Ryan's "Comin' Home Baby" from Listen Here
(2013 OpenArt Records mp3 sample)
Jackie
Ryan's "The Gypsy In My Soul" from
"Listen Here" (2013 OpenArt Records
mp3 sample)
Jackie
Ryan's "Throw It Away"
from "Listen Here"
(2013 OpenArt Records
mp3 sample)
 Jackie
Ryan's Best of Love Songs
 Jackie
Ryan's
"With the Wind in Your Hair" (mp3 sample)
Jackie
Ryan's "Doozy" (mp3 sample)
Jackie
Ryan's
"SpeakLow" (mp3 sample)
Jackie
Ryan's
"Beautiful Moons Ago" (mp3 sample)
Biography
Jackie
Ryan Bio (pdf)
Hi-Res Photos
Hi-Res
Photo #1
Hi-Res
Photo
#2
Hi-Res
Photo #3
Reviews
Jackie
Ryan
Quotes (pdf)
Artist Home Page
www.jackieryanmusic.com
Request PR Materials
Click
here to request a printed PR package on
Jackie Ryan including her latest CD*
Click
here to request a digital download copy of
Jackie Ryan latest CD*
* Note CD's and
digital access to CD's are strictly for
performing arts centers, festivals, clubs and
for producers of live performances.
All other requests should be forwarded
to the label.
|
