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Sharon Lee Grace

About Me

‘Here’s To Life” This CD shows the versatility in improvisation, distinctive tone colors and personal performance techniques of Sharon Lee Grace Vocalist, Dana Marsh Piano, Michael Berry Drums, Rich Lamb Bass and Bob Rebholz on Sax and Flute.

Sharon was born in Boston, Massachusetts venturing in music, theatre and dance. She is an Alto- Mezzo- Soprano whose vocals are soothing with grace or harsh with vigor, her diction is perfect and her natural vibrato colors and embellishes certain notes as she sings. Sharon’s improvisation of timing is credited to old movies of ragtime music, for she is an old soul of back alley blues and jazz. Sharon states “every vocalist wants to be identified by their own originality yet I cannot help wanting to just touch the spirits of the great vocalist that I so much respect and admire. Sarah Vaughn, Alberta Hunter, Bessie Smith, Ma Rainy, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland and the great Ella Fitzgerald and Shirley Horn.

“Here’s To Life” title was not only selected for its beautiful music and lyrics, it resonated a personal fit for Sharon’s return to the World of Music. Many people ask Sharon how she selects her songs to record, “ I believe they select me, she laughs” Example, while in session recording, Michael Berry suggested she sing Moondance, Sharon responded,” lets do it”. One take and it was recorded. Sometimes the music selects you.

This CD’ begins with the great classic pop standard, “Baby It’s Cold Outside’ Sharon and Dana Marsh’s playful duet is genuinely charming, you literally can feel the musicians smiling as they play. This nostalgic song will have you tapping along with a sense of joy.

Then it takes a complete change to the classic jazz song, “But Beautiful” Sharon’s musical delivery and technique shows her natural vibrato, perfect pitch, precise intonation and perfect diction. Notice her flexible range in pitch and rhythm, the subtle delay of a note, the extension of another across the beat, her control of both her voice and her musical ideas allow her to manipulate time in a very creative way. She is accompanied by the talented, Frederick Pivetta Piano, Matt Kendrick Bass and John Wilson Drums and the talented gifted Bob Rebholz on Sax.

Just when you think it can’t get any better, its Duke Ellington’s” It Don’t Mean A Thing (if it ain’t got that swing) intro begins with a “call and response” between Sharon and elite Sax player Bob Rebholz. The song intensifies in its rhythmic swing as the amazing talented Michael Berry on drums kicks off “a call and “response” to Sharon, which leads to the phenomenal gifted playing of Dana Marsh on Piano to the extraordinary talent of Rich Lamb on Bass. The solos of these musicians explode in their individuality of sound, overall tone color and natural technique. Just when you think it is over Bass player Rich Lamb, leaves you smiling again.

It is evident that Vocalist Sharon Lee Grace has made her personal original stamped signature on these thirteen songs. The Bluesy Blues song “I Ain’t Got Nothin But The Blues” shows Sharon often singing around the beat, accenting notes either just before or after it. She manages to get a yearning quality into some of her phrases along with her natural ability of scoops and slides again show her innate uniqueness of her instrument.

It truly is a musical journey as Sharon venues into the realm of Elegance as she sings, “I Wish You Love” in French and English. Then ends with the titled song of her first CD, “Here’s To Life” This CD is unique as it’s players, although it may sound like a cliché you can feel the love of each individual doing what they love to do.

Sharon will perform her first Concert with a Symphony in February of 2009 called, Jus Me and The Music’ of, Sondheim, Ellington/Strayhorn, Porter, Berlin, Gershwin, Mercer, Arlen, Kander & Ebb, just name a few. Up coming performances will be listed on her web-site, as her music takes her to Europe in March of 2009.

Promoter/Agent

Lawrence T. Goldstein

My Jazz Story

I love jazz because it soothes my being, my soul, jazz cannot be defined, it is too broad in the music spectrum I was first exposed to jazz at the young age of ten... I have met many great musicians but they are not famous to the world, yet The best show I ever attended was in a classroom at UNCG, listening to a famous classical piece, The Mass The first jazz record I bought was Billy Holiday, and Alberta Hunter ... My advice to new listeners and old listeners is too truly listen to the transitioning elements of music, it can literally transcends ones spirit, in enlightening a magical awakening of symphonic sounds, even in its simplest form, it can unite within three chords, My favorite artist is Shirley Horne, even her laugh reflects her sultry tones,