Music
Press
*Reggie Workman (bass player) - "Cecilia cleverly carved a niche for herself in an area, which is usually dominated by varied instrumentalists; her disciplined approach to improvisation illustrates that she can execute lines comparable to any instrumentalist. Ms.Stalin's unique vocal quality added depth and variety to the ensemble".
*Basic Soul/Simon - "Most of you will remember Cecilia from Koop's excellent "Baby" and "Waltz for Koop" but judging by this album, those two tracks are only the tip of the iceberg. Cecilia is based in Stockholm but has also lived in New York and in both cities she has quickly become a regular at the legendary jazzclubs. Here is proof yet again that Scandinavians are leading the way with 21st century jazz. With a total of nine tracks this is a wonderful journey through the acoustic jazz productions and Celcillia's expressive vocals and lyrics. "Straight It Up" has been compared to some of the true greats of our scene and I cannot disagree. In fact it is so good that it would not look out of place on the excellent Ricky Tick Records, and fans should take note. Simon, 03/06
*Giant Step/Velance - "It's onward now to the region of Scandinavia, where an immense amount of quality music has surfaced in the last few years (Nuspirit Helsinki, The Five Corners Quintet, Koop, and the Gonkyburg massive of Swell Session et. al. to name a few). The city of Stockholm, Sweden is where one Cecilia Stalin resides. Best known to the world as the vocalist on Koop's "Baby" and "Waltz For Koop" on its most recent album for Compost, Stalin has blossomed into a multitalented wonder. Evidence can be found on her full-length 'Straighten Up'. Backed by a hand-picked quintet of choice local jazz talent, Stalin not only signs on the album (those only hearing her "Koop" work will be pleasantly surprised), but has also arranged, written, and produced the album. It's tremendously soulful and delightful. It's out on Firefly from Sweden. Find out more on the album at her web site, including where you may find it stateside."
Read the full review on:Giant Steps Review
*Dusty Groove.com - "Cecilia Stalin 'Straight Up'(Firefly /Sweden)
Incredible work from vocalist Cecilia Stalin -- a singer you may know from her work with Koop, but a far greater artist on her own! This has Cecilia really fleshing out the groove she first explored on "Waltz For Koop" -- a spacious, soulful mode that brings together older modes of scatting and vocals with a freshly jazzy sensibility -- one that's clearly tuned on the tones of the current club jazz underground, but which also has a lot more to offer than strictly dancefloor jazz! There's a depth here that's really tremendous -- a quality that easily puts the record at a level with some of our favorite jazz vocal work from older years -- including albums by Carmen Lundy, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and others. But Cecilia's also got an ear for the fresher sounds of the 21st century too -- and although the album's an all-acoustic, jazz-based set, it's sure to cross over nicely with fans of Koop and others from the European scene!
*Jan Olsson/Skånska Dagbladet - "Cecilia is a knowlaged and personal jazzvocalist, definately belonging in our countrys top division".
*Epitonic review - "The now-classic title track and album opener features the amazing pipes of Cecilia Stalin, a breathy mix of Astrud Gilberto and the mind-blowing range of Minnie Ripperton, gliding over a lovingly restrained backdrop with just a touch of strings." - Different
*Reggie Workman (bass player) - "Cecilia cleverly carved a niche for herself in an area, which is usually dominated by varied instrumentalists; her disciplined approach to improvisation illustrates that she can execute lines comparable to any instrumentalist. Ms.Stalin's unique vocal quality added depth and variety to the ensemble".
*Basic Soul/Simon - "Most of you will remember Cecilia from Koop's excellent "Baby" and "Waltz for Koop" but judging by this album, those two tracks are only the tip of the iceberg. Cecilia is based in Stockholm but has also lived in New York and in both cities she has quickly become a regular at the legendary jazzclubs. Here is proof yet again that Scandinavians are leading the way with 21st century jazz. With a total of nine tracks this is a wonderful journey through the acoustic jazz productions and Celcillia's expressive vocals and lyrics. "Straight It Up" has been compared to some of the true greats of our scene and I cannot disagree. In fact it is so good that it would not look out of place on the excellent Ricky Tick Records, and fans should take note. Simon, 03/06
*Giant Step/Velance - "It's onward now to the region of Scandinavia, where an immense amount of quality music has surfaced in the last few years (Nuspirit Helsinki, The Five Corners Quintet, Koop, and the Gonkyburg massive of Swell Session et. al. to name a few). The city of Stockholm, Sweden is where one Cecilia Stalin resides. Best known to the world as the vocalist on Koop's "Baby" and "Waltz For Koop" on its most recent album for Compost, Stalin has blossomed into a multitalented wonder. Evidence can be found on her full-length 'Straighten Up'. Backed by a hand-picked quintet of choice local jazz talent, Stalin not only signs on the album (those only hearing her "Koop" work will be pleasantly surprised), but has also arranged, written, and produced the album. It's tremendously soulful and delightful. It's out on Firefly from Sweden. Find out more on the album at her web site, including where you may find it stateside."
Read the full review on:Giant Steps Review
*Dusty Groove.com - "Cecilia Stalin 'Straight Up'(Firefly /Sweden)
Incredible work from vocalist Cecilia Stalin -- a singer you may know from her work with Koop, but a far greater artist on her own! This has Cecilia really fleshing out the groove she first explored on "Waltz For Koop" -- a spacious, soulful mode that brings together older modes of scatting and vocals with a freshly jazzy sensibility -- one that's clearly tuned on the tones of the current club jazz underground, but which also has a lot more to offer than strictly dancefloor jazz! There's a depth here that's really tremendous -- a quality that easily puts the record at a level with some of our favorite jazz vocal work from older years -- including albums by Carmen Lundy, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and others. But Cecilia's also got an ear for the fresher sounds of the 21st century too -- and although the album's an all-acoustic, jazz-based set, it's sure to cross over nicely with fans of Koop and others from the European scene!
*Jan Olsson/Skånska Dagbladet - "Cecilia is a knowlaged and personal jazzvocalist, definately belonging in our countrys top division".
*Epitonic review - "The now-classic title track and album opener features the amazing pipes of Cecilia Stalin, a breathy mix of Astrud Gilberto and the mind-blowing range of Minnie Ripperton, gliding over a lovingly restrained backdrop with just a touch of strings." - Different
Discography
Some of my best known work - latest releases at end:
‘Glömd’ – EP - Koop (Clean Up Records)
‘Sons of Koop’ – Cd - Koop (Diesel Records AB)
‘Waltz for Koop’ – Cd – Koop (Diesel Records AB)
’Waltz For Koop - Alternative Takes’ – EP & CD
‘Worldwide Programme 1’ – Giles Peterson (Talkin Loud)
‘Straight Up’ – Cecilia Stalín Septet (Firefly Productions)
'Upstairs' - Native (Stride/Impartmaint)
''Colours of Groove V'- (P-vine/Blues interaction)
'Mosaic' - Flyphonic (Juju/Warner)
Photos
Bio
Woody Allen had me sing in 'Match Point'!!
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xegPAYN7HU)
Since 1999 Cecilia Stalin has been working as a freelance vocalist. In Sweden her engagements have ranged from working with various small groups to bigband. She has recorded for the Swedish National Radio, and has been playing frequently at swedens biggest jazzclub like Jazzclub Fasching, Nalen, Jazz i Malmö, Mejeriet, Glen Miller Café. Cecilia has also been a featuring vocalist of several aditional groups that she has recorded and toured with like Koop (Diesel Records AB). After moving to New York in 2003, she started working in various jazz clubs in the NYC area (Arturos, Sweet Rythm, UpOver JazzCafe etc.). She performed with such artists as Charles Tolliver JazzOrchestra and Reggie Workmans Coltrane group, and recorded alongside Harry Withaker, but was mainly performing with her own sextet to which she also composed most of the material. The Cecilia Stalin Sextett was formed in New York 2003 and has recorded the CD "Plays". In '04 Cecilia moved back to Stockholm again. There she formed a Swedish quintet with whom she recorded her CD "Straight Up" in 2005 and released in Japan and USA in 2006.
Since the release Cecilia has gotten nominated as ‘Jazzrookie of the year’ at Jazzkatten – Swedish Jazz Celebration -06, semifinalist in Jazzvoice competition in Brussels, sung in the american trailer for Woody Allen’s lates movie ‘Match Point’ and been played at radiostations in Europe and USA.
Since October 2006 Cecilia is living in London to play and work on her next album. She have been ingaged in several musical situations (radio show with Helen Mahew from BBC and magazine interviews and reviews)and have sung at clubs like Spice of Life, 2 too much, Mau Mau (Jazz Re:freshed), The Halo bar, Octave, Music Hall, William III, 10 Rooms etc. and she’s played with musicians like Tony Kofi, Neville ‘Level’ Malcom, Dean Mark, Natalie Williams among others. Her new music is a mix of very traditional bop/swing and nu-jazz but still with strong melodies and fun complex arrangements!
Links
