Sophie Milman CD

Sophie Milman’s debut self-titled CD is a collection of Jazz standards and contemporary new compositions that together showcase the maturity and originality of this young Jazz singer, skillfully produced by Canadian Jazz patriarch Bill King, and Danny Greenspoon, and features some of the best Canadian jazz players in the business. The album has sold close to 100,000 copies worldwide and received the attention of fans and critics alike including reaching #1 on Jazz iTunes charts in Canada, United States, Japan, France, Sweden. Following the release of her debut album, Sophie Milman received a Juno nomination for Vocal Jazz album of the Year in 2006, as well as selling out venue after venue on her first tour. Since then, Sophie Milman has toured countless dates and recently released her sophomore album 'Make Someone Happy'. This album has hit #1 on the Jazz iTunes charts in Canada, United States and Japan, as well as reaching #4 on the Billboard Jazz Charts.

Personnel: Sophie Milman (vocals); John Sheard, Bill King (piano); Marc Rogers (upright bass); Davide Direnzo (drums); Alan Hetherington (percussion).
Sophie Milman's debut release reveals a gifted young jazz vocalist who swings with a surprising degree of maturity. Though born in Russia, she has called Canada home for some time and is joined by some of the country's best jazz musicians. Milman isn't afraid to take a few chances and seems to be quite comfortable with her own voice rather than copying others, as young performers have a tendency to do. Her upbeat treatment of "I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby" is full of spirit, while she's clearly having fun in the somewhat campy 1960s-flavored arrangement of "My Heart Belongs to Daddy." Pianist Bill King (who is also one of Milman's two producers for this project) provides superb accompaniment to the singer in "I Feel Pretty," which evolves from its original setting into a lively bop setting featuring saxophonist Pat La Barbera. Among the newer compositions, Milman excels in her interpretation of the breezy "Lonely in New York'" (briefly showcasing guitarist Reg Schwager and violinist Lenny Solomon), though the bland pop song "Back Home to Me" sounds like something taken from a Norah Jones CD. Sophie Milman clearly has the ability to turn heads in the jazz world; all she needs is the opportunity to be heard. ~ Ken Dryden

Q (p.115) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he woman sings sublimely, and she does sultry with impeccable, classy...style."
JazzTimes (p.138) - "What Milman lacks in Krall polish she gallantly attempts to make up for with throaty, Marilyn Monroe-esque sauciness. Such smoked sexiness is well suited to the likes of 'My Baby Just Cares for Me'...and 'I Feel Pretty.'"