Lisa Hearns
Woodbridge, New Jersey, United States | SELF
Music
Press
"A fine swing singer who has a clear tone, excellent phrasing, and puts honest feeling into the words she interprets...Lisa Hearns should have a bright future in jazz."
~ Scott Yanow
- LA Jazz Scene
"Lisa Hearns' new CD "I Got It Bad & That Ain't Good" is a winner!...It's brimming with talent and truly swings. A homerun!"
Bob Collins
The Jazz Cafe
WRHU - The Jazz Cafe - WRHJ Radio
"If it's still possible to have a really serious and long lasting love affair with an album, be careful around the Lisa Hearns cd I Got It Bad & That Ain't Good. Very careful." - WBEZ - FM Chicago
Lisa Hearns isn't quite the newcomer, but she hasn't yet achieved the national attention that her talent could command. Her new CD reveals a feel for the traditional but a taste for the eclectic - in other words, she's got something new to offer. On "I Got It Bad & That Ain't Good" (s/r) Hearns redefines sultry with her bluesy version of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" and her gorgeous vocalese throughout the album shows the breadth and depth of her range as a singer..."
~ Suzanne Lorge - Suzanne Lorge, October 2008
For her debut release, I Got It Bad & That Ain’t Good, New England-based and Berklee College graduate vocalist, Lisa Hearns, has hit the ground running. Hearns has got a Doris Day, girl next door kind of voice delivered with a relaxed presentation that is alluring, and seductive. Produced by six time Grammy Award winner Elliot Scheiner, and supported by a crackerjack team of the always impressive Howard Alden on guitar, Kelly Friesen on bass, Keith Ingham on piano and Arnold Wise on drums, Hearns sails steady and smooth through a playful tune like “Easy Living.” Nimble and deft, as if she’s skipping through a stream, Hearns dances along with Wise’s drumming on an articulate reading of the quickly paced “Cheek to Cheek.” Most enjoyable is her demur work on the sensual little samba “Wild Is Love,” as Hearns floats over the lyrics like chasing a butterfly. While able to also deliver strong, brassy and confident vocals, as in “On The Street Where You Live,” she wins the day with her pillow-talk intimate reading of Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.” Opening with a bare souled duet with Friesen, the tune slowly undulates into a hot under the color intimate conversation, with the rest of the band adding excruciatingly seductive tension to the tune. Brilliantly conceived and performed, I Got It Bad & That Ain’t Good is fresh music by a fresh voice!
~ George Harris - George Harris, Oct. 2008
I GOT IT BAD & THAT AIN’T GOOD: Lisa Hearns
Lisa Hearns is quite the chanteuse. She wistfully tears through this album of torch songs and standards: “Easy Living,” “Love for Sale,” a snappy chipper “Cheek to Cheek,” “Cry Me a River.” Then she pulls some surprises such as turning “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” into a smoky, sultry, teasing song featuring her versatile voice, a hynotic bass line, and a jiving piano. Lisa Hearns may have it bad, but if you enjoy torch songs, getting this album will be good.
- Valdosta Daily Times
Melodic, sultry and inviting...that's how I would describe the voice of Lisa Hearns.
Her most recent release, "I Got It Bad & That Ain't Good," is a CD I would recommend for anyone looking to create a relaxing and romantic atmosphere.
Hearns provides music bound to tickle the senses. I can imagine myself sitting in an elegant dining establishment, soaking in the tub or enjoying a relaxing evening with my significant other while listening to the 10 tunes on this compilation.
Nothing about Hearns' voice is presumptuous...she delivers each tune with passion and a genteel approach, drawing her listeners in and tempting one to forget the stresses outside of their surroundings. She envelops the listener in a cocoon of comfort and warmth with her soft, supple voice.
She shines beyond the talented musicians providing her accompaniment, and in her rendition of "Cry Me a River" all preconceived notions of the song are lost.
"Wild Is Love," written for legendary singer Nat King Cole, is delivered effortlessly and all hint of its original pretense is gone.
"I Got It Bad & That Ain't Good" is Hearns' debut release and she delivers elegance to the jazz genre.
Six-time Grammy award winner Elliot Scheiner produced this musical masterpiece, which features jazz pianist Keith Ingham, guitarist Howard Alden, drummer Arnold Wise and upright bassist Kelly Friesen.
Of Hearns' work, Scheiner said, "She has a most identifiable voice and an artistic approach to performing unlike anyone I've ever worked with." He has spent 40 years in the music industry and worked with a number of memorable artists throughout his career. His compliment of Hearns is notable and I have to agree she is indeed a fabulous artist.
"I Got It Bad & That Ain't Good" can be found on Amazon.com, CDBaby and iTunes. Her recording sessions can be seen on YouTube and she has her own website at www.lisahearns.com.
My suggestion for anyone who enjoys a variety of music or is looking for something to help them melt away the day...BUY THIS CD!”
~ Jennie McGhan
- Daily Sun News
Jazz artist Lisa Hearns hit the National Arts Club last night, delivering a robust performance of material from her
new album, I Got it Bad & That Ain’t Good.
In a mauve evening gown, shimmering rouge bracelet and blood-red heels, Hearns worked her way through material from Monk, Porter, Ellington and Strayhorn with particular verve.
The opener, a cover of Arthur Hamilton’s
"Cry Me a River" showcased Hearns’ impressive range—from the deep and soulful one moment, to lighter freewheeling vocal incantations the next. Another song, "Easy Living" showcased some excellent guitar work from one of her all-star band members, Howard Alden then the album’s title track featured a spellbinding upright bass solo from
musician Kelly Friesen, his adroit control of the instrument akin to a craftsmen weaving a
striking musical tapestry.
Hearns’ vocals were wonderful throughout the evening yet the dizzying instrumental solos from her accompanying musicians often threatened to steal the show. What was extraordinary was how each of the players managed to make his instrument sound like another one entirely: Alden’s guitar seemed like a piano at one point, crisp chords unfolding in sprawling splendor, then on the track "Cheek to Cheek" Taro Okamoto’s epic drum solo was somehow ordered around a beat that sounded like it was straight from a bass guitar. Friesen wasn’t going to be left out of the act either, tapping his bass like a drum on one solo to compliment his dazzling arrangement of strings.
Not to be outdone, throughout the enchanting
performance Hearns scatted, sung in French (on the upbeat-chic number, "Plus Je T’Embrasse"), mused “A flower is a lovesome thing” and charmed the room with a little banter about her love of cooking and of
course, her mother.
“Romance is mush” Hearns sang, but mush is rarely this divine.
~ Andy Seccombe
- New York Press, February 18, 2009
Discography
I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good,
Released: April, 2008
Photos
Bio
Lisa Hearns is an acclaimed jazz vocalist who has performed at legendary venues and festivals in Boston, New York City, and throughout New England. The daughter of two music professors, Hearns grew up in Massachusetts and is a graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. Before attending Berklee she formed and led her own group, playing in New York City for several years and traveling throughout New England, performing together until 2001. She returned to New York City in September, 2001 to continue her singing career. Hearns has made several professional recordings to date and continues to garner critical acclaim for her performances. Producer Elliot Scheiner wrote The first time I ever heard Lisa Hearns sing, I knew I had to work with her...She is truly one of the most extraordinary singers I have ever worked with. She has a most identifiable voice and an artistic approach to performing unlike anyone Ive ever worked with. The album features Concord Records guitarist Howard Alden, upright bassist Kelly Friesen, pianist Keith Ingham, and drummer Arnold Wise. Currently Hearns can be seen performing in a variety of venues in and around New York City and the Tri State area, and has been touring in support of her debut jazz release I Got It Bad And That Aint Good.
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