The Sophisticated Ladies

Sophisticated Ladies: A True Story

by Hrayr Attarian
September 3, 2012

Bordeaux-based Sophisticated Ladies joins an illustrious tradition of female jazz group that stretches back several decades to include International Sweethearts of Rhythm, Beryl Booker's Diva trio and its offshoot, Five Play, as well as Japan's Groovin' Girls trio. Elegant and understated interpretations of standards and chansons, often with Latin hints, make up the quartet's debut, A True Story. Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Rachael Magidson accompanies her sublime delivery of lyrics and subtly sensuous voice with exquisite Afro Cuban ...

The Sophisticated Ladies: The Sophisticated Ladies Play Ellington

by John Patten
July 23, 2009

To successfully play a set of standards by Duke Ellington--such as pianist Marie Louise Schmidt, bassist Helle Marstrand, drummer Benita Haastrup and horn player Christina Dahl do on The Sophisticated Ladies play Ellington--requires musicians to become arrangers.

After all, many people are familiar with “Caravan," “In A Sentimental Mood," and Ellington's other master works. Most will be looking for something new.

The Sophisticated Ladies offer up 10 clever and fresh versions of Ellington, handing much of ...

Sophisticated Ladies: Piano Gems of the Past Year

Source: JazzINK by Andrea Canter
January 19, 2016

Claire Ritter, Deanna Witkowski and Janice Friedman are not household names on the piano jazz circuit. But like the best ingredients, their taste and intrigue far outshines their notoriety. In late 2014 and 2015, each released a recording worthy of “top ten" status as well as repeated listening. Once a student of Mary Lou Williams and later Ran Blake, as well as former faculty at the New England Conservatory of Music, Claire Ritter has amassed a long list of grants ...
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Sophisticated Ladies & Red Hot Mommas This Week On Riverwalk Jazz

Source: Don Mopsick
August 1, 2014

Heartbreakers, man-takers, vamps, tramps and the girl next door—through the decades they've all shown up in song. Songwriters are forever trying to decipher the feminine mystique, and singers never tire of crooning about the many aspects of the female spirit. In the spotlight this week on Riverwalk Jazz, New Orleans' Topsy Chapman joins The Jim Cullum Jazz Band at The Landing to separate 'sophisticated ladies' from 'red-hot mommas.' And it takes a versatile artist like Topsy to cover a range ...
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Sophisticated Ladies And Red Hot Mommas This Week On Riverwalk Jazz

Source: Don Mopsick
March 1, 2013

This week on Riverwalk Jazz, New Orleans’ Topsy Chapman joins The Jim Cullum Jazz Band to separate “sophisticated ladies" from “red-hot mommas." Heart-breakers, man-takers, vamps, tramps and the girl next door—through the decades they’ve all shown up in song. Songwriters are forever trying to decipher the feminine mystique, and singers never tire of crooning about the many aspects of the female spirit. The program is distributed in the US by Public Radio International, on Sirius/XM satellite radio and can be ...
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