Joanna Pascale When Lights Are Low CD

Since emerging onto Philadelphia's jazz scene, vocalist Joanna Pascale has established herself as a compelling and skilled vocalist. At just 24 years old Joanna already has a working repertoire of over 400 songs. She brings a strong emotional element as well as a solid sense of swing to her uncommonly large catalogue of jazz standards. What really sets Joanna apart from other vocalists, though, is not her repertoire, but her musicianship. Despite her young age, Joanna brings a depth of artistry to her music that rivals that of many singers who have been in the business for decades. The Philadelphia Metro raved, "Don't let her age fool you, Joanna Pascale is a highly sophisticated singer." Joanna has also gained the admiration of Philadelphia's most prominent musicians. "Joanna has her own style," stated legendary saxophonist Robert "Bootsie" Barnes, "She has been influenced as have all young 'song birds', but once you hear Joanna you'll know it's her. Copycats don't last, but Joanna will be around for a long time." Joanna's latest album, When Lights Are Low, showcases her approach to the timeless standards of American music. Joanna is able to enliven these songs in a unique and personal way. A young vocalist with an uncommonly mature depth of artistic skill and conception, Joanna Pascale is one of jazz's most promising up and coming singers.

Personnel: Joanna Pascale (vocals); Joanna Pascale; Farid Barron, Gary Moran, Farid Barron (piano); Madison Rast (bass instrument); Craig Ebner (guitar); Terell Stafford (trumpet); Byron Landham (drums).
Audio Mixer: John Vanore.
Liner Note Author: David Brodie.
For vocalists, the Philadelphia jazz scene can be brutally competitive. A long list of skillful singers ranging from Miss Justine, Juanita Holiday, Mary Ellen Desmond, and Denise King to Lou Lanza are based in and around Philly -- and if a young Philly-based singer is starting out, that is the caliber of talent that he or she (more often a she in the jazz vocal realm) can expect to be competing with. But Joanna Pascale -- who was only 24 when she recorded her first album, When Lights Are Low, in 2004 -- had no problem standing out on the Philly jazz scene in the early to mid-2000s and even managed to win the respect of tenor titan Bootsie Barnes (one of Philly's finest saxmen). It isn't hard to see why Pascale stood out; despite some shortcomings, this is a promising debut. In addition to having an impressive vocal range and flawless intonation, Pascale brings an abundance of feeling, warmth, and emotion to "Stardust" and other well-known standards. She not only has solid vocal chops; she has soul. Unfortunately, Pascale plays it much too safe in her choice of material; from "Easy Living" to "Come Rain or Come Shine" to "You Go to My Head," Pascale usually picks warhorses that have been beaten to death over the years. That isn't to say that they aren't great songs or that Pascale should avoid standards altogether -- only that she needs to surprise her listeners more often and develop a more adventurous repertoire. Pascale would do well to pay close attention to Claire Martin, a superb and highly imaginative British vocalist who has found the jazz potential in everyone from Tom Waits to Stevie Wonder to Milton Nascimento (in addition to having a knack for unearthing Tin Pan Alley's lesser-known gems). But despite the overabundance of warhorses, When Lights Are Low paints a generally attractive picture of Pascale and indicates that the Philadelphian is well worth keeping an eye on. ~ Alex Henderson