Judi Marie Canterino

My vocals contain a unique jazz style that is steeped in a rich musical history. Beginning my musical training at the age of seven with the classical piano (I performed at the Juilliard School of Music through my thirteenth year), I then turned my studies to voice, training classically through high school.

At the age of 19, I became interested in jazz singing, and was introduced to the late Lennie Tristano, an innovative jazz pianist and genius in his field, with whom I began studying. As part of my jazz training, I would listen to Tristano perform at the Half Note, a club that presented the finest jazz musicians of the day. The Half Note, owned by Sonny and Mike Canterino (whom I later married), was a mecca for jazz notables and home to such vocalists as Tony Bennett, Anita O'Day, Billie Holiday and even Judy Garland (who sat in one night not knowing it would be her final appearance).

In the early part of my career, I would sit-in at the Half Note with jazz greats like Zoot Sims, Al Cohen, Wes Montgomery, Buddy Tate, Bud Johnson, Jimmy Rushing, Van Dickenson, Major Holly, Milt Hinten, Doc Cheatham, Roy Eldridge, Ross Thompkins, Bobby Hackett and others. My singular vocal style can be attributed to the mentorship of these great musicians, plus the influences of singers like Jimmy Rushing, Billie Holiday, Maxine Sullivan, Rosemary Clooney, Anita O'Day and of course, Sinatra.

Taking time off from my career to raise a family, I nevertheless remained active in the Jazz world. Fifteen years ago I resumed my career singing with the legendary guitarist Joe Puma. Since then, I have appeared at the New York Hilton, New York's Fortune Garden Pavilion, Trumpets Jazz Club in Montclair, New Jersey, Struggles in New Jersey, Wave Hill and Trios in Riverdale, New York, The Helen Hayes Theater in Nyack, New York and am currently singing weekly at several locations in New York City as well as Westchester and Rockland Counties, New York. I have been working with jazz greats Warren Vache, Scott Hamilton, Norman Simons, Chuck Folds, Clark Terry, Mark Shane, Rio Clemente, Joe Cocuzzo, Phil Bodner, Spanky Davis, Bucky Pizzarelli, Kenny Daverne, Kenny Asher and before their deaths, the great Doc Cheatham and Red Richards.

I have performed on international radio and as a guest on the Jim Lowe Radio Show in New York. A few years ago I completed a CD titled "Gee Baby" (which was dedicated to the great Zoot Sims) with a large variety of jazz, swing and blues standards. I am currently working on a new CD project to be released soon.

My husband Mike and I (and our son Michael) have been residents of Riverdale, New York for the past 40 years. Show less