Take Five With Patrizia...The Sultry Lady of Jazz

Meet Patrizia...The Sultry Lady of Jazz: Patrizia, nicknamed The Sultry Lady of Jazz by her fans during one of her performances because of her naturally pure way of creating strong emotions in her listeners, is a popular San Diego based jazz vocalist who now resides in La Costa, California with her five daughters. A Denver, Colorado native, daughter of a famous surgeon, is gifted with a uniquely beautiful vocal instrument, which is both powerful, yet delicately serene, expressing every emotion found in between. Her musical interpretations are with such natural phrasing, clear articulation, mellow tones, superb pitch and so much feeling she makes each composition come alive. Telling the story as if she were the composer. She believes that music is one's own experience, ones thoughts, ones wisdom. If you can't imagine you have lived it, project it in your interpretation, express it, so that your audience feels it, you can\'t tell an effective story.

Instrument(s): jazz vocals.

Teachers and/or influences? My influence consist of Frank Sinatra, Vic Damone, Perry Como, Dean Martin, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, June Christy, Chris Connor, Billie Holiday, Anita O'Day, Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, John Coltrane, Thelonius Monk, Miles Davis, Herbie Mann, JJ Johnson, Art Pepper, George Shearing, Kenny Burrell, Daniel Jackson, Richard James, Art Hillary, Marshal Hawkins and so many others, all of whom I have learned something from, and this list does not include all of other the fine musicians I have had the honor of performing with. The famous composers whose music I love singing, without their words and music, I would have nothing to interpret. So many thanks to all of these special people, and a very special thank you to George and Ira Gershwin, Rodgers and Hart, Blane and Martin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Thelonious Monk and so many other famous composers.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when... I was seven years old. My main game was that of being a star, pleasing and entertaining audiences all over the world. I dreamed of doing what I am doing now and I thank God each day for my gift.

Your sound and approach to music: I want to be myself at all times with a natural sound. I don\'t like special effects and consequently prefer not to use any at all. I use as little amplification as possible. I choose microphones that have a natural clear sound.

Your teaching approach: I like dedicated hard working students who take the music seriously. Students who don't shy away from perfection, and doing the same thing over until it is perfected before going on to something else.

Your dream band: My dream band to perform and record with is the The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. I want to work with Chuck McPherson, James Moody, Charles McPherson, Kenny Burrell, and Quincy Jones. One day I would like to choose every member of an orchestra specifically for one of my performances and recordings.

Anecdote from the road: I was performing an engagement which was a duo with a very shy pianist. The night of the performance the MC was ill so it was the pianist's responsibility to play a selection and then introduce me. He asked me to give him and idea of what to say so I wrote down some notes to give him an idea of what to say. So I am backstage waiting for the the introduction, he starts speaking and he is reading verbatim my notes, which consisted of "don't forget to keep track of the time of our sets and give me a signal, because my watch has stopped." He repeated these words verbatim and the audience laughed so hard, because he was so serious they thought it was a part of my show, need I say the look on my face when I came on stage, was not one of delight, after the show and I got to my room and thought about how comical it was, I laughed myself to sleep. Truly a time to remember.

Favorite venue: Now this is really difficult question to answer because I have to date always been treated with kindness, respect and consideration. I like most musicians prefer the venues who respect the music, so they request the patrons be quite, no televisions.

Your favorite recording in your discography and why? My favorite is All the Things You Are. It is my first and only album to date, my first endeavor presenting the music I so dearly love.

What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically? I believe God has given me a gift to share, to make people think, feel happiness or sadness, fall in love, live through and with my musical interpretations. I believe I was made to share the beauty of my gift with others.

Did you know... I love football, horseback riding and opera three, important passions. A good novel when I have the time. I was a tomboy growing up, played football with the guys until I was in high school. Put on theatrical musical productions and sold tickets when I was a child, starting doing it when I was seven years-old, my shows were always a sell out.

How do you use the internet to help your career? I use the internet quite a bit. I have a main website http://www.patriziasultryladyofjazz and a myspace - http://www.myspace.com/patriziasultryladyofjazz - both of which I find invaluable. I try hard to update and keep my mailing list up to date so that my fan base, media and press know what I am up to. I love to receive e-mails and I try my best to answer them.

CDs you are listening to now: Charlie Parker, Studio Chronicle 1940-48 (JSP); Sonny Stitt, Goin' Down Slow (Prestige); Sarah Vaughan, Music For Lovers (Blue Note); Ella Fitzgerald, The Best Of Ella Fitzgerald (Hip-O); Duke Ellington, Collection: '46-47 Recordings (Hindsight); George Shearing, Alone Together (Concord).

Desert Island picks: Sarah Vaughan, Sarah Vaughan W/ Clifford Brown (Verve); Patrizia,, [i[All the Things You Are (Puramente Jazz Inc.); Frank Sinatra, Golden Greats (Golden Greats); Dean Martin, Dino: The Essential Dean Martin (Capitol/EMI Records); Sonny Stitt, Goin' Down Slow (Prestige); Charlie Parker, Studio Chronicle 1940-48 (JSP).

How would you describe the state of jazz today? Jazz is such a beautiful music, misunderstood and not respected. Jazz is not background music for conversation, it is a music to be listened to understood and appreciated. When I rehearse for hours to make beautiful sounds and hit specific notes I want my audience to hear it and appreciate it. Nothing makes me happier, than to be appreciated and listened to. What good is all the practice and effort if no one listens and appreciates what you do.

What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing? I think it is imperative for musicians to stick together, be consistent with what we expect to be paid. We need to insist on venue owners respecting the music, we work really hard to prepare for a performance and we want respect for what we do, we want people to listen and we have families to support, so we want to get paid a decent wage. So I would say the key here is respect.

What is in the near future? I am presently putting the finishing details on three projects. All three are completely different works plus some original compositions then I will be ready to do some studio work. I am presently touring different places to promote my newly released slbum with my next stop being Portugalia in Ocean Beach, California, then Dazzle Restaurant and Lounge in Denver, Colorado. I have a news page and an itinerary Page on my website that are consistently updated with my whereabouts and new information.

By Day: My days are spent with listening, studying and rehearsing music. I try to put in at least 5-6 hours singing. I love doing this an often have to force myself to engage in other activities. I truly love my work and music.

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