Clairdee Discography of CDs

Clairdee albums No less than the illustrious Nancy Wilson has said of the soulful and jazzy force of interpretive nature called Clairdee, "In the tradition of all great vocalists, she infuses each song with her own unique style while always remaining true to the song itself." That dead-on assessment applies to her two studio albums on Declare Music, and extends to the new disc, a rich and multi-faceted live performance the singer did ...

Clairdee music CDs "Have yourself a soulful little Christmas!" This is what vocalist Clairdee is singing about on her high-spirited new romp through the holiday season. Swinging, funky, soulful and sexy, THIS CHRISTMAS infuses jazz with rhythm and blues, pop, gospel, funk and Brazilian rhythms - creating a captivating collection of warm treats for the cold winter. The diversity continues with Clairdee's roster of the Bay Area's finest musicians in a variety of musical settings ...

Clairdee discography A vocalist choosing to perform a program of standards in a laid-back, relaxed manner had better have the chops to sustain slow tempos since there's nowhere to hide. Clairdee, one of the very fine singers now working out of the San Francisco area, pulls this off going away. With her husky, deep-toned contralto, she runs through a musical agenda of 11 standards and near standards. All the usual adjectives rightfully apply ...

Clairdee songs Greatly influenced by Sarah Vaughan and sometimes sounding a bit Anita Baker-ish in her phrasing, San Francisco singer Clairdee plays it much too safe on the conventional and derivative Plugged In. Clairdee (who is backed by the Bay Area rhythm team of pianist John Moriarty, bassist Ruth Davies and drummer Deszon Claiborne) has a likable voice and is pleasant enough on such standards as "Body and Soul" and "Just Friends," but ...

Clairdee CD discography Recording information: Mobius Music, San Francisco, CA. Arrangers: David Enos; Rev. Ron Stallings. Personnel: Clairdee (vocals); John "Captain John" Handy (alto saxophone); Hollis Gentry, Robert Stewart, Rev. Ron Stallings, Wilton Felder (tenor saxophone); Steve Campos (trumpet); Allen Smith (flugelhorn); Marty Wehner (trombone); Carl Lockett (guitar synthesizer); David Enos (acoustic bass, electric bass); Gaylord Birch (drums); Babatunde (percussion). Liner Note Author: Philip Elwood.

Arranger/trumpeter Dan Buegeleisen sought to escape from the usual big-band sound on this CD by utilizing funk and even hip-hoppish rhythms in spots along with some unusual harmonies. His northern California ensemble still sounds like a big band and swings in spots, but does have a more contemporary sound. Major assets on this set are the two vocals by Kitty Margolis (on "My Shining Hour" and a mildly demented "It Never Entered My Mind") and Clairdee's singing on "I Wish I Knew." Otherwise, the music is comprised entirely of Buegeleisen's originals. Key soloists include the leader on trumpet, tenor saxophonist Mike Zilber, trombonist Dave Eshelman, and trumpeter Chuck MacKinnon. ...

jazz Recording information: Wahlberg Recording Studio, San Francisco, CA (02/26/1993/02/27/1993). Editor: Bill Woods. Personnel: Kevin Gibbs (piano); Clairdee, Valerie Litchfield, John "Buddy" Conner, Kellye Gray, Richard Kaplan (vocals); Noel Jewkes (flute, saxophone); Kenny Wollesen (drums). Liner Note Author: Carroll Coates.