FELICIA CARTER

Artist Information

Biography

“Here’s a double-disc collection by a contemporary jazz vocalist that not only warrants its length, it leaves you wanting more...Carter can cast a spell with her lyrics alone..."
— Mike Joyce, Washington Post

With her remarkable twin disc recording, "Feather/Step Lightly", Felicia Carter gives an affectionate nod to the double vinyl LP. The double CD format allows Carter to defy songwriting genres on "Feather", while showcasing her finesse with traditional jazz and blues on "Step Lightly". The album features a dynamic, all-star rhythm section of Carter’s jazz fellows; pianist Bob Butta, bassist Amy Shook, drummer Frank Russo, and guitarist Donato Soviero. Providing additional instrumentation are special guest players on harp, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, as well as Carter’s own layered vocal harmonies for selected tracks. Engineered by Rob Byers, the majority of the recording was completed without instrumental isolation for a cohesive, live feel. The "Feather/Step Lightly" sessions took place at NPR Studios in Washington DC.

The first CD, "Feather", unfurls Carter’s unique songwriting voice. The album is a multi-faceted journey with a lyrical arc, from the rollicking first track “Hurricane” (Carter’s self-professed theme song), to the worn-down cowgirl sensibility of the last, “Mad Boys” (an ode to the Morning 40 Federation). "Feather" is the cumulative expression of Carter’s many musical experiences as composer, lyricist, performer, and producer. Combining influences of jazz, blues, and rock/pop, Carter manifests an uncommon vision with this album.

“Step Lightly”, the second offering in the duo, is a long awaited follow-up to her first “straight-ahead” jazz and blues recording, “In the Pink… “(2001). Among Carter’s original blues compositions on “Step Lightly” are brassy fan favorites “Complicated Woman” and “Hooray For You”, while seven of the eleven tracks are well-loved standards from the Great American Songbook. For the title track, Carter offers lyrical counterpoint to Joe Henderson’s big band composition, while the quartet swings a small-group arrangement.

“Carter successfully mixes the rock-ribbed roots of jazz vocals with a guileless vision of the future that is irresistible.”
— George Harris, All About Jazz

Instrumentation

Core Ensemble:

1. Felicia Carter: vocals
2. Bob Butta: piano
4. Frank Russo drums
3. Amy Shook: bass
5. Donato Soviero: guitar

Discography

Feather/Step Lightly
In the Pink...& Songs in Blue

Audio

• HURRICANE
  Listen  
• GOLDEN
  Listen  
• LOUISE
  Listen  
• LORELEI
  Listen  
• USELESS BLUES
  Listen  
• ANCHOR
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• WHALE
  Listen  
• FEATHER
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• MAD BOYS
  Listen  
• COMPLICATED WOMAN
  Listen  
• HOORAY FOR YOU
  Listen  
• SOS BLUES
  Listen  
• When It Matters Most
  Listen  
• Broken Teeth Blues (Eleanor's Lament)
  Listen  

Lyrics

• ANCHOR
• WHALE
• LORELEI
• USELESS BLUES
• MAD BOYS
• FEATHER
• COMPLICATED WOMAN
• HOORAY FOR YOU
• LORELEI
• SOS BLUES
• When It Matters Most
• Broken Teeth Blues (Eleanor's Lament)
• When It Matters Most
• Call To Me

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• THE WASHINGTON POST [+ Show ]
  

  HERE'S A DOUBLE-DISC collection by a contemporary jazz vocalist that not only warrants its length, i...HERE'S A DOUBLE-DISC collection by a contemporary jazz vocalist that not only warrants its length, it leaves you wanting more.
  That has as much to do with Felicia Carter's taste as with her talent. She's obviously in thrall to Billie Holiday; that's apparent from the opening track of the first disc, "Feather," which consists of self-penned tunes. "Hurricane" and "Louise" instantly evoke Lady Day's legacy, thanks to Carter's languid phrasing, but both tunes also boast delightful lyrics and arrangements dotted with brassy interjections. When the horns disappear, as on the waltzing ballad "Lorelei" or the cautionary "Useless Blues," the performances are more insinuating but no less appealing. For all her vocal ties to Holiday, Carter can cast a spell with her lyrics alone, as she proves on the Dylanesque ballad "Mad Boys" or, better yet, the Brazilian-tinted "Whale."
  "Step Lightly," the second disc, is largely devoted to pop standards. Carter has no difficulty personalizing them, and "My Shining Hour" is among those that sound tailor-made to suit her low-key charms. Interspersed are a few original lyrics that also invite additional spins. On both discs Carter receives deft support from a quartet that features pianist Bob Butta and bassist-arranger Amy Shook and such guests as trombonist John Jensen and trumpeter Tim Leahey.
  

• PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER [+ Show ]
  

  On her fantastic double album, Feather/Step Lively, singer Felicia Carter shows a deft traditional-j...On her fantastic double album, Feather/Step Lively, singer Felicia Carter shows a deft traditional-jazz touch without any staid wax-museum purism. Whether on her originals or on standards such as "I Can't Get Started" or "My Shining Hour," she swings her pouting, crystalline vocals in a fresh flow.

• ALL ABOUT JAZZ [+ Show ]
  

  Feather/Step Lightly is a vocal release that is dripping with ambition and ideas. Felicia Carter, a ...Feather/Step Lightly is a vocal release that is dripping with ambition and ideas. Felicia Carter, a singer, who for all intents and purposes has been off the recording map since a 2002 self-released debut, has more than made up for lost time by putting out a two CD set that throws down the gauntlet for other vocalists and music fans to respond to. The two CD’s are divided by two entirely separate recordings: Feather and Step Lightly. Feather is filled with self-penned compositions, while Step Lightly defers to the book of standards. While the compositions vary, the mood and style remains fantastically the same. Carter’s voice, a pleasant amalgam of Lee Wiley and Madeleine Peyroux, exudes a ragtime/vaudevillian flair that gives every tune a sense of whimsical adventure. Songs like “Hurricane” of “Hooray for You”, with growing horns and two beat drumming have a carefree and bohemian milieu. Her feline vocal tone can sound lonely and folksy, holding and stretching notes like salt water taffy, as on “SOS Blues”. Joined by John Jensens’ gliding trombone, she can be insouciant and optimistic, with her vibrato dripping and swooping on the coy treatment of “Dindi”. The originals include Carter working with Amy Shook’s audible string quartet (“Anchor”), a growling trumpet courtesy of Tim Leahey (“Louise”) and a piano trio with backing vocal harmonies, all featuring her incandescently vulnerable, yet frolicking voice. Carter successfully mixes the rock-ribbed roots of jazz vocals with a guileless vision of the future that is irresistible. Carter’s Feather/Step Lightly is a definite walk off home run!
  

• FOJAZZ.COM, KZSU [+ Show ]
  

  This double-CD showcases two sides of singer/songwriter Felicia Carter, a fascinating vocalist with ...This double-CD showcases two sides of singer/songwriter Felicia Carter, a fascinating vocalist with a flirtatious, bent-note delivery that sounds a little like Jolie Holland, perhaps with some Maria Muldaur and a dash of Billie Holiday mixed in. Or maybe even a bit of Blossom Dearie. Disc One, Feather, is a set of sparkling original tunes alternating between old-timey barrelhouse romps and haunting ballads. Carter’s smart lyrics and curious melodies are simply captivating, particularly in the disc’s dynamite first half, with beautiful (or bawdy) support from her “core ensemble” of pianist Bob Butta, drummer Frank Russo, bassist/string player Amy Shook and guitarist Donato Soviero.
  The second disc, Step Lightly, is a collection of standards and other straightahead jazz fare. While Carter’s vocals continue to mesmerize, this material doesn’t carry the same spark as the less-predictable Feather. But several original blues numbers combine winking sass and easygoing grooves in an irresistible way. Together, these two discs leave no doubt that Felicia Carter is a special talent, well worth seeking out.
  

• BALTIMORE MAGAZINE [+ Show ]
  

  Channeling Mildred Bailey, with some of Dusty Springfield’s genre-defying tendencies in the mix, Car...Channeling Mildred Bailey, with some of Dusty Springfield’s genre-defying tendencies in the mix, Carter cozies up to various torch songs, jazz standards, blues tunes, and similarly spirited originals on this two-disc set. Part of the local music scene since the 1990s, Carter kicks off the proceedings with 10 of her own songs on Feather, the first disc. Alternately sparkling and elegant, brassy and playful, dreamy and brooding, these tunes hold their own with the classics featured on Step Lightly, the second disc. The first four cuts (“Hurricane,” “Golden,” “Louise,” and “Lorelei”) set an impossibly high standard, as Carter navigates the melodic nuance of each tune and her all-star backing band—which includes pianist Bob Butta, drummer Frank Russo, and bassist/violinist Amy Shook—richly underscores her performance. And I wouldn’t be surprised if “Hurricane” and “Golden” start turning up in the repertoires of other vocalists around town.

• BALTIMORE SUN & WTMD [+ Show ]
  

  “Felicia Carter has a voice that’s hard to forget. It’s lush and crisp at the same time, and clear a...“Felicia Carter has a voice that’s hard to forget. It’s lush and crisp at the same time, and clear and classic.”
  

• METRO WEEKLY [+ Show ]
  

  The D.C.-reared, Baltimore-based singer may not have obvious love songs in store on this love-soaked...The D.C.-reared, Baltimore-based singer may not have obvious love songs in store on this love-soaked weekend. But you just may fall in love anyway.
  
  An emerging songwriter, Carter is set to attract increasing attention courtesy of her new traditional jazz- and blues-steeped double-disc set Feather/Step Lightly. The 38-year-old singer has a small yet expressive, brassy voice likened to Judy Garland, even Billie Holiday. And she composes tightly arranged emotive music with very visual, sophisticated lyrics.
  

Setlist

Original songs, blues, and jazz standards.

Basic Requirements

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