She has an honest approach. I feel that she has a lot of feeling in what she does.
—Sheila Jordan
"Her delightfully casual and welcoming voice, defying gravity in a manner not unlike a legend such as Blossom Dearie or peer Kat Edmonson, has the special charm that’s easy on the ears with the potential to stir your heart." —John Ephland
Coming to performing later in life, Chicago-based vocalist/songwriter Roberta Brenza makes the most of this debut recording experience—It's My Turn to Color Now—-as she enlists a brilliant team of playmates—producer & drummer Matt Wilson, pianist Dawn Clement, bassist Cameron Brown, saxophonist Stacy Dillard, along with special guest, legendary vocalist Sheila Jordan. Together they sculpt an intriguing set of thoughtfully arranged songs such as “Watch What Happens" & “Bye, Bye Blackbird," jazz standards like “Take Five" & Don Cherry's “Art Deco," along with two revealing Brenza originals. Having lived in both French and Italian-speaking cultures, she also offers fresh takes on “Les Feuilles Mortes/Autumn Leaves” and “Estate." Channeling the long developing feelings of music she was first exposed to as a child listening to her father's collection, Brenza presents as a full-formed package, revealing new insights from the lyrics as she paints from a vibrant musical palette.
In June, 2019, Sheila Jordan made a rare appearance in recording with Roberta Brenza on her debut release, It’s My Turn to Color Now. At that time, the only other artist with whom Sheila had made a studio recording in her 70-year career was the great Mark Murphy.
“As for the feel and quality of Roberta’s singing, what better source for an insider’s take on her singing, than fellow vocalist, composer and It’sMy Turn to Color Now collaborator Sheila Jordan? Reflecting on her work with Roberta, Sheila says a central quality to her singing is 'honesty.' 'She has an honest approach,' Sheila notes from a recording-session interview. 'I feel that she has a lot of feeling in what she does. She’s not a show-off; she’s not trying to be anything except who she is. She’s Roberta, and she’s singing Roberta, and it’s beautiful.'"
—John Ephland, from his liner notes for It’s My Turn to Color Now (Origin Records).
Coming to performing later in life, Chicago-based vocalist/songwriter Roberta Brenza makes the most of this debut recording experience—It's My Turn to Color Now—-as she enlists a brilliant team of playmates—producer & drummer Matt Wilson, pianist Dawn Clement, bassist Cameron Brown, saxophonist Stacy Dillard, along with special guest, legendary vocalist Sheila Jordan. Together they sculpt an intriguing set of thoughtfully arranged songs such as “Watch What Happens" & “Bye, Bye Blackbird," jazz standards like “Take Five" & Don Cherry's “Art Deco," along with two revealing Brenza originals. Having lived in both French and Italian-speaking cultures, she also offers fresh takes on “Les Feuilles Mortes/Autumn Leaves” and “Estate." Channeling the long developing feelings of music she was first exposed to as a child listening to her father's collection, Brenza presents as a full-formed package, revealing new insights from the lyrics as she paints from a vibrant musical palette.
In June, 2019, Sheila Jordan made a rare appearance in recording with Roberta Brenza on her debut release, It’s My Turn to Color Now. At that time, the only other artist with whom Sheila had made a studio recording in her 70-year career was the great Mark Murphy.
“As for the feel and quality of Roberta’s singing, what better source for an insider’s take on her singing, than fellow vocalist, composer and It’sMy Turn to Color Now collaborator Sheila Jordan? Reflecting on her work with Roberta, Sheila says a central quality to her singing is 'honesty.' 'She has an honest approach,' Sheila notes from a recording-session interview. 'I feel that she has a lot of feeling in what she does. She’s not a show-off; she’s not trying to be anything except who she is. She’s Roberta, and she’s singing Roberta, and it’s beautiful.'"
—John Ephland, from his liner notes for It’s My Turn to Color Now (Origin Records).
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