“...cool, assured delivery and a sensibility that demands finely honed, well conceived arrangements." - Peter Hum, The Ottawa Citizen

“Ex-pat Canadian sings terrific, gimmick-free jazz....poise, intelligence and an unforced honesty that made every song ring like it was her own." - Doug Fischer, The Ottawa Citizen

Vocalist Amy Cervini releases her sophomore album on November 3, 2009 followed by an East Coast tour of New York City, Boston and New Haven. Lovefool celebrates an eclectic mix of songs from Depeche Mode, The Cardigans and Jack Johnson to American Songbook favorites “Comes Love" and “Bye Bye Country Boy" and the first recording of a new song with lyrics and music by Fred Hersch. Joined by the ACQ (Michael Cabe on piano, Mark Lau on bass and Ernesto Cervini on drums) and special guests Joel Frahm on saxophone, Marty Ehrlich on bass clarinet and String Nucleus, Cervini delivers piercing, intelligent renditions of the diverse repertoire, wittily arranged by the band and herself. While skipping through genres, styles and periods, Cervini's performances flow naturally and effortlessly, shaping a thoughtful, intriguing program.

“I want to entertain people, and I want to make people feel something," says Cervini, encapsulating a mission statement for her recent album, as well as describing the offbeat live show experience she offers. “I picked songs I have a strong connection to, songs that I feel deeply about, regardless of genre," says Cervini. “We arranged the songs together, making sure they have a few layers so to keep us and the audience engaged and entertained. We performed this repertoire extensively before recording, and had the opportunity to augment the experience at the studio with guests Frahm, Ehrlich and a String Quartet."

A rising star on the New York City scene, Cervini is also an integral part of Jazz Country, featuring clarinetist Anat Cohen, guitarist Jesse Lewis, cellist Yair Evnine and bassist Matt Aronoff. She was at the helm of a tribute to the late Blossom Dearie at the Blue Note in December 2008, fronting a band comprised of Avishai Cohen on trumpet, Frank Kimbrough on piano, Dan Loomis on bass and Matt Wilson on drums. A new incarnation of her earlier group Couples Therapy is set to debut in 2010, with fellow forward-looking vocalist Jo Lawry, and a rhythm section of pianist Oded Lev-Ari, bassist Matt Aronoff and percussionist James Shipp. She has been featured as a back-up vocalist with New York band Pharaoh's Daughter. Ms. Cervini is also a member of vocal jazz ensemble Monday Off and composer Joseph Phillips' Numinous+, with whom she recorded the “Vipassana" suite.

Following a highly successful Canadian Tour (Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto) the ACQ will be on the East Coast of the United States in December. They are performing at The Jazz Standard in New York City, The Lily Pad in Boston and Firehouse 12 in New Haven, CT.

Tuesday December 8
The Jazz Standard - 116 East 27th Street, New York, NY
Sets at 7:30 and 9:30 PM
$20 cover, no minimum

Thursday December 10
The Lily Pad - 1353 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA
Sets at 7:30 and 8:30PM
$10 Cover

Friday December 11
Firehouse 12 - 45 Crown Street, New Haven, CT
Sets at 8:30 and 10:00PM
$15 (first set), $10 (second set)