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The Valerie Gillespie Ensemble
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LIVE
The
Valerie Gillespie Ensemble blends vocal and instrumental styles
to produce an energetic sound that draws audiences in with a vide
variety of familiar songs. Combining the beautiful sounds of Rick Steuart
and Joe Renda with the world-class talent
of Valerie Gillespie, the group has produced a product that is
appealing to all types of audiences. The Ensemble features songs
from such vocal artists as Nancy Wilson, Diana Krall, Shirley
Horn, and instrumentalists Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderly, and
John Coltrane, along with the classic writing of Rogers and Hart,
Harold Arlen, George and Ira Gershwin, and Cole Porter. The Valerie
Gillespie Ensemble gives audiences music to tap their toes to and
sing along with. Audiences love to interact with the Valerie Gillespie
Ensemble, as the group enjoys playing special requests and is highly
motivated to fulfill the audience's desires.
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• ON RECORDING
The Ensemble's Debut CD "Branded" features straight-ahead instrumental jazz and several original tunes. The second of the group's CDs is entitled "Once Again" for which the title cut was co-written by Valerie and Rick Steuart. This CD features vocal solos with the Central Florida Studio Big Band and the Central Florida Studio Orchestra, along with a wide variety of jazz instrumentals covering all eras of jazz, from the 1940's to present day. Their CD, "It Takes a Village...", is a live recording from April of 2005, which has instrumentals and vocals, including "Spain", "Peel Me a Grape", "Someone to Watch Over Me", and "Cherokee", and includes some solos, by our special guest, Mr. Tim George on bass. Valerie's fourth CD, "It Can't Be Christmas Without You" is an answer to years of requests for a Christmas CD. The title track was written by her brother Chuck Brand, and has prompted many requests for Chuck to write grace us with more beauties of this type! Valerie's fifth CD is titled "A Little Rough Around The Edges", and is comprised of some of the tunes most requested of the band, like "Over the Rainbow", "Mack the Knife", "It's Not Easy Bein' Green", "September song", and "Straight, No Chaser".
Valerie's newest CD is entitled "Lush Life", and it spans a wide variety of straight ahead jazz, from the beautiful title track, "Lush Life" which is a Billy Strayhorn ballad, to the high-energy samba of Dizzy Gillespie titled "Tanga". From the traditional jazz tunes "Honeysuckle Rose", and Billie Holiday's "Don't Explain", to the more contemporary works of Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage" and Chick Corea's "You're Everything", this CD will take you on an historical jazz journey you won't soon forget.
• CD'S CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
Click on any CD for more information and samples
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