Website: judisilvano.com Booking: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tel: 914 213-2992 JUDI SILVANO Vocalist, Composer, Lyricist
Songs I Wrote Or Wish I Did
"Some among you will have heard and appreciated Judi Silvano on the 1992 Joe Lovano CD “Universal Language”. This time, it is she who is the leader and Joe Lovano is only a guest, on two tracks, superb I must say on “A Flower is a Lovesome Thing” by the late great Billy Strayhorn and “Climbin’ The Peak” an original composition by Judi Silvano. Not only does she sing excellently, but she also composes, as indicated by the title of her album. Five compositions, plus the lyrics to “Sad & Blue”. Judi Silvano is a singer who is clear that the orchestra is not there to accompany the singer but rather the singer is an instrument among the other instruments of the orchestra. Her rhythm section is excellent: Essiet Essiet on the bass and Victor Lewis on drums, make a very solid grounding and Vic Juris on guitar is fluid with a chiseled sound. As for Larry Goldings on the organ, he is quite strong. Judi Silvano details the lyrics of her songs in a clear and concise fashion revealing the songs’ romantic side, without falling into false elegance or affectation. Ellington would have loved her, that’s for sure." Jazz Hot Magazine, France
"Judi Silvano has become recognized as one of the leading progressive jazz singers of our day, and her newest release, Songs I Wrote or Wish I Did, is a multiple-course feast that samples her various musical recipes....These tracks, and others, prove that Judi Silvano's fresh interpretations let her lay claim not only to those songs she wrote, but to the ones she wishes she had as well." Drew Wheeler, cdnow.com
"Perhaps a number of you have not heard of Judi Silvano. But after listening to what this gifted songbird does to a lyric, you'll be humming or whistling a happy tune. Silvano demonstrates how the voice should be used as an interpretive instrument on "Make It A Classic" as she teases with guitarist Vic Juris. But the groove is here with Silvano's voice meshing so wonderfully with the bittersweet improvisation of Juris. When Lovano joins Silvano on the Billy Strayhorn ballad "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing" and her original composition "Climbin' The Peak," there is an unmistakable chemistry between this musical couple. This is a must-listen-to CD, because the lady can sing!!!" Donald V. Adderton, The Sun Herald
"Enthusiasts loudly praised Joe Lovano's brave and unusual approach to Frank Sinatra on Celebrating Sinatra or in tribute to Gunther Schuller's third-stream jazz (not to mention Mingus,
Judi Silvano Songs I Wrote Or Wish I Did Reviews Page 1 of 4 Monk and Ellington) on Rush Hour. An essential element of that never-quite-heard-anything-like-it- before sound on those two albums was Silvano's vocal looping throughout the horn arrangements, creating an ethereal and unpredictable effect. Silvano's originality remains in evidence on Songs I Wrote or Wish I Did, not only in her intervallic leaps, but also in her choice of songs, as suggested by the CD's title. Silvano wrote half of the CD's 12 songs, while virtually unknown composers - or virtually unknown songs written by known composers - comprise the other half.
“The songs that Silvano "wishes she wrote" focus more on the lyrics overlaying more conventional chord changes and more straightforward rhythms. Even Bob Dorough's "Without Rhyme or Reason" contains few of the surprises that his dry-humored work contains.
“Silvano's husband, Joe Lovano, joins her on Billy Strayhorn's "A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing" and her "Climbin' The Peak," proving once again that he chameleonically adapts to any musical situation. On the one hand, Silvano/Lovano, husband/wife, interweave melodic and responding lines on "A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing," both of them exploring the entire range of their instruments. On the other, they establish the vocal/horn vamp in unison before splitting into harmonic richness and angular solos on "Climbin ' The Peak".
"Silvano's rediscovery of the song "I Love Music," makes the entire album worthwhile as it expresses within a narrow vocal range the feelings of all music lovers throughout the world: "I love music. dream of music. Through my waking hours. Music for me cannot be a passing thing. For I must have music. must have beauty. All else I'll deny." And speaking of range, Silvano's three- and-a-half-octave range can descend into an alto's sultriness, as she does on "Something Tells Me," and yet rise several octaves effortlessly to assume a soprano's role on "Listen To This." Songs I Wrote or Wish I Did showcases Judi Silvano as an uncharacterizable and startlingly original singer in her own right. That fact that she and husband Joe Lovano support each other on their albums as the opportunity arises is icing on the cake." Bill Donaldson, Marge Hofacre's Jazz News
"The American vocalist Judi Silvano presents 12 songs, half of which were written by herself or by well-known songwriters like Billy Strayhorn or Thad Jones. Accompanied by an excellent band, Silvano delves into the material with a lot of verve and very clear pronunciation, easily bridging the gap between tradition and modernism. Her compositions are original,her vocal lines always develop logically from the lyrics and are characterized by often big intervals. The highlights of the CD are the two tracks on which her partner Joe Lovano steps in. Songs I wrote or wish I did (JSL Records) is an interesting album by a singer who would deserve more recognition in Austria." Martin Schuster, Concerto Magazine, Austria
"Judi Silvano lets her heart and soul come pouring out on her CD Songs I Wrote Or Wish I Did. This woman really knows how to manipulate a song to fit her voice and style. She is fortunate to have a well-versed band to support her colorful and poignant vocals. Its lead singing like Silvano¹s that make a jazz song sound like it should. With highly energized emotionally charged music to back her every step of the way, she makes it seem so effortless and natural. She sings every song like it's her birthright. She covers "A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing" like it was written specifically for her, and on the other side of the tracks sings "Hey Boy", whereby she becomes the flirtatious diva with a message. "I Love Music" tells her story. She interjects her vivacious personality into every song. And it all comes right from the tip of her toes. You find out how much she loves music very quickly from the way she handles herself throughout each and every song.
Judi Silvano Songs I Wrote Or Wish I Did Reviews Page 2 of 4 It’s easy to see that Judi Silvano is in this game for the long haul. She takes her art seriously, and it shows throughout this whole album. I found the music to be excellent from start to finish, and that is what compliments Silvano so well. At times the band is allowed to spread its proverbial musical wings and strut its stuff, as the singer gives them some room to do what they do best. Ultimately she is rewarded by her open-ended approach to the music and the power the lyrics hold. I recognized the group's talent and abilities collectively quite readily when I was able to listen to the entire band without separating the vocals. It¹s a fascinating and rewarding experience when you can focus on the singer, the music, and then both.” MuzikMan, musicdish.com
"Songs i wrote or wish i did this one is leaps and bounds beyond previous efforts, and shows her growing and maturing as a singer and performer of wit, depth, and substance. She's no lounge act or cabaret diva, and that's good for her individualistic soul." Michael G. Nastos, allmusicguide.com
"Silvano has a unique way of expressing herself and the result is a very satisfying vocal Jazz offering. She has an assertive tone in her voice that allows her to manipulate the melody at will, giving her songs that quality that easily places her in the category of Jazz singer. She also has a very melodic style on the ballad selections. Silvano does not rely exclusively on Tin Pan Alley for her material. She composed half of the tunes on the disc, giving the session a fresh stance. Silvano scats with high-pitched authority on “Listen to This” and turns the tune into a real swinger. She is at her best when skating through these uptempo songs. The faster tunes bring out the Jazziness of the session and offer the instrumentalists their best chance at self-expression. A considerable strength on the recording is the band that surrounds Silvano. Everyone is into rhythm and organist Goldings combines with guitarist Juris to prod the action. The two spar and trade solos at every non-vocal opportunity. Bassist Essiet and drummer Lewis add their specially honed touch. Making a guest appearance on two tunes is tenor player Lovano, who coos with Silvano in an intimate pairing of voice and instrument. Lovano’s solos with Juris’s sparkling guitar accompaniment are enticing vocal breaks. Silvano has a very agreeable voice, and her cast of supporting musicians enhances her efforts. It is an enjoyable vocal/Jazz album." Frank Rubolino, Cadence Magazine
Judi Silvano Songs I Wrote Or Wish I Did Reviews Page 3 of 4 "Six of the songs are Silvano's. They comment on life and love and all of them swing. There is stratospheric scat with Lovano on "Climbin' the Peak," and a wordless "Listen to Me." Seniors will appreciate the distinction she draws between "old" and "classic" which she does with wit in "Make It a Classic," the song I wish I wrote. The songs Silvano wishes she wrote are tasty and by a variety of writers. .. "If I'm Lucky," where she works with Juris alone and "Something Tells Me" are lovely songs-each with a verse. A lightly swinging Dorough/Landesman tune ,"Without Rhyme or Reason" and "I Love Music," ethereal and reminiscent of Jobim. The lady possesses a voice of remarkable range, and a great taste for lyrics." Bill Falconer, jazzreview.com
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