AS IS

Described as "nothing short of enchanting" by All About Jazz in 2015, AS IS is the musical union of jazz guitarist, Alan Schulman and jazz vocal stylist, Stacey Lynn Schulman. The couple - both on and off stage - have made a name for themselves for their imaginative re-expressions of 20th century song classics. AS IS takes audiences on an intimate journey through the world and words of songs long-forgotten - but newly created - with both the soulfulness and swing that's accessible, memorable and highly musical.

Alan Schulman is a noted jazz guitarist from Cincinnati, Ohio who studied with the late great guitarist Cal Collins (formerly of the Benny Goodman Orchestra). He holds a Masters degree in Jazz Arranging & Composition from Howard University in Washington DC. A Thelonius Monk Competition Top-10 finalist, he has appeared with such noted jazz artists as Anita Baker, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis & Michael Feinstein. Stacey Schulman is a jazz vocal stylist and a native of the New York City area, performing in a variety of musical and theatrical roles since the age of nine. As an NYC studio singer, Stacey has had the privilege of singing on radio commercials, television series and movie soundtracks throughout her 20+ year musical career.

AS IS released their sophomore album - Here's to Life - this year with Grammy-nominated producer, James McKinney. The album blends the duo’s signature intimacy with the talents of special guest artists including Grammy-nominated drummer, Marcus Baylor (The Baylor Project, The Yellowjackets); acclaimed saxophonist, David Binney; harmonica virtuoso, Gregoire Maret; vocalese talents Christie Dashiell and Kokayi, and members of the DC-based String Queens. The album debuted at #9 on Billboard's Traditional Jazz Chart and is currently climbing the Top 100 JazzWeek chart on radio stations across the U.S.

The couple's first CD, "A Love Like Ours", was released in May 2015 as a vehicle to raise funding for Lyme disease research. The couple’s cover single “Summertime” was featured prominently in a Global Lyme Alliance PSA commercial radio campaign in the United States throughout the summer of 2015, with over 3500 plays. Stacey is a survivor of Lyme Disease and a vocal advocate for funding, research and awareness of the disease. Proceeds from their newest CD, Here's to Life, will also benefit Lyme research and awareness efforts.

“The instrumental harmonic center of the recording remains the soft, round tone of Alan Schulman's guitar…The vocal part of the equation is the durable soprano of Stacey Schulman, who can summon delicate lace on one song and a bouncy jam on another.” C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz

"A superb collection of heartfelt storytelling" with "sublime performances that stretch across the spectrum of jazz expression." - Dan Ouellette, Liner Notes. Downbeat contributor, editor ZealNYC

"4 STARS! Hot scat-singing, heated guitar playing... an excellent introduction to the music of Stacey and Alan Schulman." - Scott Yanow, Jazz Artistry Now

"A superb collection of heartfelt storytelling" with "sublime performances that stretch across the spectrum of jazz expression." - Dan Ouellette, Liner Notes. Downbeat contributor, editor ZealNYC

"4 STARS! Hot scat-singing, heated guitar playing... an excellent introduction to the music of Stacey and Alan Schulman." - Scott Yanow, Jazz Artistry Now

“Exceptional album… Stacey’s singing voice, fresh and vibrant, casts a youthfully optimistic glow on the songs she sings, while bringing mature understanding to her interpretation of the lyrics… they find new ways to approach the songs, ways that preserve the origins yet make out of them very personal statements.” - Bruce Crowther, Jazz Mostly

“The team knows how to swing like gypsies… Alan on his axe is able to strum out some nice grooves as well as pick out clever melodies on this cozy collection of standards.” -George Harris, Jazz Weekly

"The sparseness of this production is effective and makes Schulman’s voice twinkle and shine like a Northern star... Alan Schulman’s dexterity and rhythm guitar become the trampoline where his wife’s vocals can dance and play." - Dee Dee McNeil, Musical Memoirs Blog

"Singing is glide-smooth; it’s often alluring. Varied scats are executed with second-skin ease. Breathy notes often emerge and fade as if diffused by airbrush, yet never fray. Guitar fingering is pristine whether manifesting enunciated jazz or contemplation." - Alix Cohen, Cabaret Scenes

“Stacey & Alan make music for all the right reasons: the art (witness their individual talents), each other, and their fellow humans (profits support Lyme disease research) – making this meditative work one of the finest of its kind.” – The Akademia, August 2015

“A Love Like Ours is nothing short of enchanting… The album’s fourteen-song lineup could have easily appeared on a Streisand, Michael Buble, Tony Bennett or Natalie Cole CD. None of these performers could have delivered a more dynamic release.” – M. Perciaccante, All About Jazz, August 2015

“…there’s something hauntingly beautiful when you remove all of the exterior strings from a song, and you just have a single instrument and a voice like this…” —Jay Daniels, Radio Host, Simply Timeless - WRGG-FM (NPR affiliate)

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