Audrey Silver

Artist Information

Biography

Audrey Silver is one of the most elegantly creative singers in jazz today. Known for her smooth, effortless sound, sensitive interpretations, satisfying swing, and unique approach to the American songbook, Audrey sings with a style that radiates her warm, generous personality, Jazztimes’ Christopher Loudon writes, “…her voice is like pure sterling. Her phrasing is exquisite, her clarity and enunciation on par with the great Jo Stafford and her breath control—a talent so often, and so wrongfully, overlooked—rivals Sinatra’s."

Audrey’s steady stream of appearances—including recent performances at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival and New York’s prestigious JVC Jazz Festival—have made her more sought after than ever. Based in New York City, she regularly performs at numerous venues including 55 Bar, Bargemusic, Sweet Rhythm, Cleopatra’s Needle, and The Kitano Hotel. She has become a familiar face at the Metropolitan Room and recently completed a five-month engagement at Bruno Jamais Restaurant and Club.

Audrey received critical praise for her “vocal prowess” in her debut album, Here In My Arms, in which she worked with an extraordinary line-up of musicians: pianist John Cowherd, bassist Doug Weiss, drummer Gerald Cleaver, guitarist Chis Bergson, percussionist Daniel Sadownick, and David Mann on flute and saxophones. In 2009, Audrey produced her latest CD, Dream Awhile, which features many of the players that have worked with her in New York clubs throughout her career, including pianist Joe Barbato, bassist Joe Fitzgerald, guitarist Chris Bergson, and drummers Anthony Pinciotti and Todd Isler. The recording wowed critics, who lauded her thoughtful, charming, and uniquely personal interpretations of 11 lesser-known jazz standards.

Audrey is a storyteller at heart, a performer who loves connecting with her audiences. She respects the power of lyrics, but is equally fascinated by how an artist can alter the mood, meaning and impact of a song through its arrangement. Audrey has an insatiable desire to learn, a vast repertoire, years of jazz piano studies, a well-developed ear for scat and improv, and a musically open mind. These elements combine to make Audrey a singer, bandleader and arranger who delights her audiences and fellow musicians. An avid researcher and broad listener, Audrey continuously adds to her distinctive musical vocabulary, and always surprises audiences with her delightfully original versions of jazz standards. Also inspired by the cabaret world, she enjoys sharing anecdotes between songs, offering an unusually friendly, intimate, and enlightening jazz atmosphere.

Audrey started studying classical piano and cello as a young child, but deep down she alway wanted to be a singer. Audrey explored her love of jazz and popular song by spending hours absorbing the styles of Fred Astaire (she also studied tap) and singing along with the various Broadway musicals—such as The Pajama Game and Guys and Dolls—that comprised much of her father’s record collection. Audrey finally began to explore her vocal skills while studying at Brown University, where she founded the school’s first co-ed jazz a cappella group, The Higher Keys, for which she transcribed and arranged for the first time.

After graduation, her love of music led to employment in the marketing and A&R departments of CBS Masterworks (now SONY Classical) and then as the Director of Marketing for Chesky Records. She earned an MBA at Columbia Business School and worked as an account executive for advertising giant Ogilvy & Mather. But eventually her deep love for jazz drew her back to singing.

In 1998, Audrey met Jon Raney (pianist and son of jazz great, Jimmy Raney). He encouraged her to pursue a career as a singer, and worked with her on a demo in 2000 alongside drummer Ronnie Zito (whose rhythmic skills drove the bands of Woody Herman and Bobby Darin) and bassist Jay Leonhart (a Judy Garland and Tony Bennett favorite). Audrey has also studied privately with vocal priestess Sheila Jordan, as well as Mark Murphy, Grammy nominee and four-time winner of the Downbeat Readers Poll for Male Jazz Singer of the Year. According to Murphy, Audrey “has that rare quality of light infectious swing that lights up her tall willowy persona.”

Audrey’s eclectic background and tireless curiosity continue to inform her understated, intelligent style. Inspired by numerous jazz greats including Joe Williams, Anita O'Day, and Bill Evans, she’s also influenced by an array of musicians and styles, including pop diva Annie Lennox, Yoruban chant, the Brazilian jazz guitarist/composer Djavan, and the atonal explorations of classical composer Arnold Schoenberg.

Ever the explorer, Audrey continues to expand her musical and creative horizons. She is currently working on numerous projects, including a show of her original songs, a recording of early jazz tunes, and a tribute to legendary vocalist Anita O’Day. Also driven by a desire to give back, Audrey regularly performs at senior and community centers throughout New York City, and acknowledges these programs have changed her as a musician and, interestingly, feels they have been among her best.

Instrumentation

Audrey Silver - vocalist
Dream Awhile Band:
Joe Barbato - Piano
Joe Fitzgerald - Bass
Chis Bergson - Guitar
Anthony Pinciotti - Drums
Todd Isler - Drums and Percussion

Discography

LPs:
Here In My Arms - 7/2003
Dream Awhile - 12/2009

Official Website

http://www.audreysilver.com

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter

Audio

• Meaning Of The Blues
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• Old Country
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• The Song is Ended
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• San Francisco River
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• So Many Stars
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• It's A Wonderful World
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• I Will Wait for You - mastered 2
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• That's All
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• Too Marvelous for Words - mastered 2
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• Waltz in D
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Lyrics

• Falling in Love with Love
• I Could Write a Book
• The Cold Wind's Embrace

Video

AS.07_Final_Web.mov

Photo Gallery

Press

• "Dream Awhile" - 7 Weeks on the Jazzweek Top 200 Chart, #4 Top Jazz Adds CMJ issue #1193 [+ Show ]
  

  Jazzweek Top 200 Jazz Chart #131 Jazzweek w/e 4/18/2011 #132 Jazzweek w/e 5-30-2011 #147 Jazzwe...Jazzweek Top 200 Jazz Chart
  #131 Jazzweek w/e 4/18/2011
  #132 Jazzweek w/e 5-30-2011
  #147 Jazzweek w/e 6-6-2011
  #162 Jazzweek w/e 4-25-2011
  #175 Jazzweek w/e 5-16-2011
  #170 Jazzweek w/e 6-20-2011
  #184 Jazzweek w/e 5-9-2011

• "...her voice is like pure sterling. Her phrasing is exquisite, her clarity and enunciation on par with the great Jo Stafford and her breath control – a talent so often, and so wrongfully, overlooked – rivals Sinatra’s. " [+ Show ]
  

  Discovering a Rich Vein of Silver A profile of singer Audrey Silver A couple of weeks ago, while...Discovering a Rich Vein of Silver
  A profile of singer Audrey Silver
  
  A couple of weeks ago, while researching a piece on Stevie Holland’s one-woman tribute to Linda Porter, I happened upon an announcement for a CD launch event that was being held at Manhattan’s Triad Theater, the same space where Holland’s show runs every Wednesday night. The party was for a singer I’d never heard of named Audrey Silver.
  
  Nothing intrigues me more than the potential opportunity of discovering a fresh (at least to my ears) jazz voice. So, I did a little more digging, and discovered that Silver has been a staple on the New York club scene for several years, playing in the sort of insider spots where the audience is measured more in terms of quality than quantity.
  
  Silver, who writes her own arrangements and is also a skilled bandleader, released her debut album, Here In My Arms, in 2004. Her sophomore effort, Dream Awhile didn’t surface until five years later, released last December. I downloaded the new album from iTunes, and knew from the opening track that Silver was something special. Indeed, if a name ever fit a performer it is Silver’s, for her voice is like pure sterling. Her phrasing is exquisite, her clarity and enunciation on par with the great Jo Stafford and her breath control – a talent so often, and so wrongfully, overlooked – rivals Sinatra’s.
  
  Listening to Silver, the word “effortless” leaps to mind. Of course, we all know that such seeming effortlessness actually demands tremendous effort and discipline. And there’s more than just assured ease to Silver’s interpretations. The playlist for Dream Awhile includes 11 standards, each of which has been recorded hundreds of times. Yet, in each case, she makes these chestnuts newly interesting. Her interpretations aren’t in any way radical, extreme or even particularly bold. What they are: thoughtful. From the tender ache of “The Song Is Ended” and deeper pain of “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning” to the heated anticipation of “Falling In Love with Love” and openhearted integrity of “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” (from which Silver draws the album’s title), you fully believe not only every word she is singing but every emotion she is quietly, sometimes almost furtively, expressing.
  
  For assistance on the album, Silver has assembled a team of players who, though not necessarily major marquee names, are the sort of skilled sidemen that other musicians are fully aware, and respectful, of. Together, pianist Joe Barbato, bassist Joe Fitzgerald, drummers Anthony Pinciotti and Todd Isler (who doubles on percussion) and guitarist Chris Bergson (the only holdover from Silver’s previous album), keep elegant pace with Silver, providing ideally understated backing that gently enrobes and enriches her vocals without ever overwhelming them.
  
  The old Liza Minnelli/Frank Sinatra adage suggests that if you can make it in New York you can make it anywhere. Well, Silver has already more than proven her ability to take Manhattan. Now it’s time for a wider national, and international, audience to get in on the secret.
  
  

• "...she has the talent to be included among today's best jazz female singers." [+ Show ]
  

  It is easy to tell, by the pure joy of Audrey Silver's voice on Dream Awhile, that this 2009 colle...
  It is easy to tell, by the pure joy of Audrey Silver's voice on Dream Awhile, that this 2009 collection is the singer's favorite jazz standards. Silver amazing, glimmering tone shines all throughout, especially on the up-tempo, swinging tracks "I Will Wait For You," "Exactly Like You" and Irving Berlin's "The Song Is Ended." She even adds some Ella Fitzgerald-like scatting on "Falling In Love With Love."
  Silver's sophisticated, classy phrasing makes her an equally good interpreter of ballads. Her delivery on "In The Wee Small Hours," "That's All" and Sergio Mendes' "So Many Stars" is beautiful and sensitive.
  
  Johnny Mercer's "Too Marvelous For Words" receives a different treatment. with a slower and simpler, but effective arrangement, plus some melody changes by Silver that makes this a very interesting version. Silver also plays a little bit with the melody on "Exactly Like You"
  
  Pianist Joe Barbato handles almost all the arrangements on Dream Awhile,\ including "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," where at certain moments Silver sings over just Joe Fitzgerald's powerful, swinging bass, while on "I Could Write a Book" it's an intimate duo of piano and voice. On the other hand, the cool voice, bass and percussion intro to "Falling in Love With Love"—before going into a full swing groove—and the waltz feel on Billy Strayhorn's "Day Dream," are both Silver arrangements.
  
  With Dream Awhile Silver proves she has the talent to be included among today's best jazz female singers.
  
  Track Listing: The Song Is Ended; In The Wee Small Hours; Falling In Love With Love; Too Marvelous For Words; I Will Wait For You; So Many Stars; Exactly Like You; That's All; I Can't Give You Anything But Love; Day Dream; I Could Write A Book.
  
  Personnel: Audrey Silver: vocals; Joe Barbato: piano; Joe Fitzgerald: bass; Chris Bergson: guitar (3, 7, 10); Anthony Pinciotti: drums; Todd Isler: drums (3, 10), percussion (3).

• Her tone is round, warm and wrapped with a low timbre, it send chills up your spine right out of the gate. Not since Karen Carpenter have I heard such a strong alto voice that is so pure and so convincing. [+ Show ]
  

  Audrey Silver, Dream Awhile Audrey received critical praise for her “vocal prowess” in her debut al...Audrey Silver, Dream Awhile
  Audrey received critical praise for her “vocal prowess” in her debut album, Here in My Arms, which featured pianist John Cowherd, bassist Doug Weiss, drummer Gerald Cleaver, guitarist Chis Bergson, percussionist Daniel Sadownick, and David Mann on flute and saxophones. In 2009, Audrey produced her latest CD, Dream Awhile, which features many of the players that have worked with her in New York clubs throughout her career, including pianist Joe Barbato, bassist Joe Fitzgerald, guitarist Chris Bergson, and drummers Anthony Pinciotti and Todd Isler. The recording features interpretations of 11 lesser known jazz standards.
  
  Silver offers the listener a sophisticated style, which has a slow sexual burn as an undertone current. Silver also adorns the keen ability to skillfully scat melodically and with warmth and good pitch. Much more than just a technician, Silver drops notes from her mouth like warm honey drizzled onto chocolate morsels, pure sinful delight! You will want to share it with all your friends.
  
  “The Song is Ended” is a luxurious cut that immediately endears the listener to Silver’s voice. Her tone is round, warm and wrapped with a low timbre, it send chills up your spine right out of the gate. Not since Karen Carpenter have I heard such a strong alto voice that is so pure and so convincing. Ably accompanied by pianist Barbato, he does not crowd Silver’s beautiful voice, which is especially important when supporting an alto voice, the low tones can easily be buried and lose their true beauty. He tastefully interacts, while drummer Chris Bergson and bassist Joe Fitzgerald create a swinging pad for Silver to shine. The arrangement is smart and features multiple modulations that showcase Silver’s ability to sound adept in various keys.
  
  “So Many Stars” features Silver in a ballad setting a place where she really excels, he voice is bigger than life and offers the listener strength with intimate tenderness. Again the backing ensemble gently but so tastefully creates push and pull behind the vocalist who lilts and stretches the lyric with such grace, truly and emotional reading on a classic standard.
  
  A playful reading of “I Could Write a Book” features Joe Barbato creating stride piano underneath Silver, and nice duet that allows the listener to hear every nuance of Silver’s voice, which is certainly a well developed instrument.
  
  Dream Awhile is a must have vocal offering that I know you will revisit often for aural edification.

• "Silver's silvery alto is as perfect at the edges as it is in the middle....an excellent vocal outing, one that shows how jazz singing is to be done." [+ Show ]
  

  eviews touting a singer's perfect diction are reminiscent of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion (or the...eviews touting a singer's perfect diction are reminiscent of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion (or the Lerner and Lowe 1956 musical and 1964 movie, My Fair Lady), and the plight of Eliza Doolittle to straighten out her coarse Cockney into the Queen's speech). Diction has been a driving force in describing singer Audrey Silver's sophomore recording Dream Awhile. The issue is not that Silver has perfect diction (she has) but why it is so perfect.
  Silver's first recording, Here in My Arms (Self Produced, 2004) was a prelude to the current offering in that Silver chose recital pieces less travelled. Certainly, all of her music is from the Great American Song Book, but it is chosen carefully, with the more tired pieces avoided. It was immediately evident that Silver's silvery alto is as perfect at the edges as it is in the middle, a phenomenon of uniform density throughout. It is this basic characteristic that allows Silver to sing what she wants and how she wants, while entertaining all at the same time.
  
  Dream Awhile finds Silver again employing a smaller band (a rhythm section-based quintet) that provides perfect support, competent soloing, and plush cushion to Silver's sturdy, take-no-prisoner's voice. Her commanding stroll through "The Song is Ended," "In The Wee Small Hours" and "Too Marvelous for Words" shows Silver confident and sexy, well-supported by pianist Joe Barbato, who had the lion's share of the arranging duties. The result is an excellent vocal outing, one that shows how jazz singing is to be done.
  
  Track Listing: The Song is Ended; In the Wee Small Hours; Falling in Love with Love; Too Marvelous for Words I Will Wait for You; So Many Stars Exactly Like You; That's All I Can't Give You Anything But Love; Day Dream; I Could Write a Book.
  
  Personnel: Audrey Silver: vocals; Joe Barbato: piano; Joe Fitzgerald: bass; Chris Bergson: guitar; Anthony Pinciotti: drums; Todd Isler: drums, percussion.
  

• Tanglewood Jazz Festival: Blend of Jazz & Classical September 4-5, 2010. "The highlight.....was Silver’s captivating interpretation of “The Meaning of the Blues.” [+ Show ]
  

  Jazz Café Performances The highlight from their sets was Silver’s captivating interpretation of “...Jazz Café Performances
  
  The highlight from their sets was Silver’s captivating interpretation of “The Meaning of the Blues.”
  

• Winner of the 2010 Tanglewood Jazz Cafe Video Contest [+ Show ]
  

  Vocalist Audrey Silver has gained a New York City following by appearing at small clubs including 55...Vocalist Audrey Silver has gained a New York City following by appearing at small clubs including 55 Bar, the Cutting Room and Cleopatra's Needle, and holding down long runs at the Benjamin Hotel and Bruno Jamais Restaurant and Club. Here In My Arms, her debut recording of 2003, and Dream Awhile, released late in 2009, present her singing mostly standards amid sympatico combos for whom she often writes arrangements. At one memorable performance at the 2007 JVC Jazz Festival New York, Silver was backed by pianist John Cowherd (producer for Lizz Wright and her accompanist on Here In My Arms) and bassist Paul Gabrielson, a 10-year veteran of the Kingston Trio.
  
  Jazz Café Lineup
  Saturday, September 4, 12:30 pm
  Brandon Wright Quintet
  Saturday, September 4, 6:30 pm
  Kelley Johnson Quartet
  Sunday, September 5, 12:30 pm
  Audrey Silver Quartet
  Sunday, September 5, 6:30 pm.
  Noah Baerman Trio

• "With this recording Ms. Audrey Silver has entered a new Pantheon, a new exclusive club of Jazz greats!" [+ Show ]
  

  Audrey Silver! Yes, let me say that name again! Ms. Audrey Silver, from New York City, is by far, th...Audrey Silver! Yes, let me say that name again! Ms. Audrey Silver, from New York City, is by far, the best new Jazz vocalist and song stylist I have heard in many years! This recording gets a definite Five (5) stars! It is absolutely the finest recording I have heard from ANY Jazz vocalist in some time! Ms. Silver has it all: A gorgeous vocal instrument, perfect pitch, impeccable phrasing and a well crafted simple yet swinging approach to scat singing, placed perfectly where it is needed and never overdone. This Jazz vocalist caresses the listener; She draws you in gently; with every note she sings with such heart and emotion; but she seems to do it effortlessly, weaving a loving spell in her superior interpretations of the American Songbook. She takes her time with every breath, every syllable and note she sings; her phrasing is like sheer silk, drawing the listener into a relaxed state of consciousness.
  
  Audrey Silver has begun in earnest to make a name for herself in a number of fine New York City clubs and venues. She has studied with two legends of the fine art of Jazz singing: Mark Murphy and Sheila Jordan, two of our most heralded Jazz vocal treasures. With this recording Ms. Audrey Silver has entered a new Pantheon, a new exclusive club of Jazz greats! I can only humbly imagine what great vocal art she will contribute in the many years to come! For this listener, she defines the new "modern femininity", the new model for the art of the Jazz vocal. It is direct, relaxed, yet on the mark, delivered with real sophisticated poise and grace! All the tunes on this CD are great! The opening Track," The Song Is Ended", is a masterpiece, with it's hip arrangement of key changes placed in unexpected places! Her Pianist, Joe Barbato is a sensitive and excellent musician in his own right, a perfect foil and accompanist to Audrey!
  
  Audrey Silver is destined for true greatness! A voice, surely coming from Jazz Heaven, here on earth!
  
  ~ Steve Getz

• "A little swingy, very intimate, the seeming breeziness of her voice belies her hold on the lyrics. And that ability to bend them to her will allows her to make a unique mark on these eleven standards." [+ Show ]
  

  Audrey Silver – Dream Awhile (Messy House) Released – December 15, 2009 Listening to Audrey Silv...Audrey Silver – Dream Awhile (Messy House)
  Released – December 15, 2009
  
  Listening to Audrey Silver’s latest recording, I’m reminded a lot of the late Susannah McCorkle. Sparse backing, simple arrangements, just the singer and the song. And if that’s a lot of pressure, Ms. Silver doesn’t show it.
  
  In fact, she makes it seem effortless.
  
  A little swingy, very intimate, the seeming breeziness of her voice belies her hold on the lyrics. And that ability to bend them to her will allows her to make a unique mark on these eleven standards.
  
  Some are off the beaten path – like the opening track, Irving Berlin’s “The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On).” It’s been recorded a lot, but not much in the past 40 years. (Yes, I had to look it up.)
  
  Others, like the Bergmans’ collaboration with Sergio Mendes, the familiar “So Many Stars,” get a new treatment – here, a melancholy ballad. Other favorites from this disc include Rodgers and Hart’s “Falling In Love With Love,” and a delicious treatment of “Exactly Like You.”
  
  The backing group is larger than it seems – Joe Barbato on piano, Joe Fitzgerald on bass. Chris Bergson on guitar, Anthony Pinciotti and Todd Isler on drums and percussion.
  
  But Ms. Silver is always in front.
  
  I put a few of these tracks in a mix I took on the plane to Las Vegas this past week. Each time one would come around, I’d pull the ‘pod out of my pocket, saying to myself, “…who is this?”
  
  It was Audrey Silver.
  
  I must have done it at least a half-dozen times. And if you don’t get that, with a background that includes marketing, I’m sure Ms. Silver does.
  
  Trust me. It’s a good thing.
  
  This disc is very highly recommended.
  
  

• "Subtle, stylish vocalist Audrey Silver..." [+ Show ]
  

  Subtle, stylish vocalist Audrey Silver shares songs from her well-received second album, Dream Awhil...Subtle, stylish vocalist Audrey Silver shares songs from her well-received second album, Dream Awhile, with a strong combo featuring pianist Joshua Wolff, bassist Paul Beaudry and drummer Steve Johns.

• CD Review Blog [+ Show ]
  

  Here In My Arms (Messy House) Like a cool refreshing breeze wafting through an open window and de...Here In My Arms (Messy House)
  
  Like a cool refreshing breeze wafting through an open window and delicately fluttering the curtains, Audrey Silver’s confident vocals gently caress the listener’s ear. Here In My Arms is a delightfully smooth aural pleasure perfect to unwind to at the end of the day.
  
  Silver surrounds herself with stellar veteran jazz musicians that maintain the same degree of excellence in keeping the tone mellow yet grooving. No matter the tempo of the tune, whether it is “The Moon Was Yellow” bossa nova or the ballad “All Too Soon,” the rhythm section and the solo instruments unassumingly weave in and out of the texture as Silver effortlessly glides overtop. She expertly throws her voice to add natural breath accents to the chorus of “It’s a Wonderful World” and seamlessly dances around the notes in tasteful turns and mordents. In the midtempo toe-tapper “As Long as I Live” the listener can hear Silver smiling in her vocal execution of this cute love song. Her vocal prowess is further radiated in the fun scatting in the coda.
  
  Aside from her lovely midrange voice and her melodic savviness, Silver is deliberately clear on her enunciation. Every lyric is clean and easily understood. The downfall of this however is evident in the ballad “You’re Nearer.” This song has a noticeable lack of percussion and thus solely relies on the vocals to push the tune forward. Yet, due its slow tempo, the song almost stalls and comes across as an ethereal musing. No doubt Silver’s vocals are strong enough to carry such a tune; however, the tender sensuality of the song is lost when she sits on the held out endings to the lyrics “nearer” and “winter”. The heavy “er” sound is a bit too harsh to match the mood.
  
  One minor complaint though should not discourage anyone from giving Here In My Arms a listen. Silver’s years of study and natural talent are to be commended with hopes there is lots more music to come from one of New York’s finer jazz vocalists.
  
  -Kelly O’Neil
  
  

• Bob Dorough Quote [+ Show ]
  

  Her voice rings true, with lovely tone and fine diction. She seems to pick the right tempo for each...Her voice rings true, with lovely tone and fine diction. She seems to pick the right tempo for each song she chooses. The ballads don’t just die there – they move! And most of all, when there is a tempo, she swings!!! I dug it. You’ll dig it too.

• Mark Murphy Quote [+ Show ]
  

  Audrey Silver has that rare quality of light infectious swing that lights up her tall willowy person...Audrey Silver has that rare quality of light infectious swing that lights up her tall willowy persona.
  
  - Mark Murphy, Jazz Vocalist (Four Time Winner of Downbeat Reader’s Poll, Six-time Grammy Nominee)

Setlist

Sets are typically 50 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes and are generally a mix of originals and fresh arrangements of Jazz Standards by a variety of composers (e.g. Ellington, Monk, Rodgers & Hart, Bill Evans and Jobim).

Basic Requirements

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