Montreal-based vocalist Susie Arioli recently launched a 13-song CD that mines the musical richness of the American Songbook, and it's terrific.
The CD's title, All the Way, refers to one of the tunes on the record (made famous by Frank Sinatra in the ’50s), but also underscores vocalist Susie Arioli's desire to show a new level of musical maturity as a serious jazz vocalist.
When I chatted with Arioli she told me that she wants to be more grown up now than in her younger days, which were ruled by spontaneity.
“I wanted this record to be more focused and to establish a mood. We went all the way as a vocal album, no instrumental tunes. Everything — from the album photo to the songs chosen [to] show off my darker vocal range — was thought through.”
After seven studio recordings and over 250,000 copies sold, Arioli is now recognized as one of Canada's most popular vocalists. Her previous CD, Christmas Dreaming, went gold in Canada and solidified an already growing international audience. All the Way will be launched in Europe this summer.
Arioli began her musical journey in 1998 with another young and relatively unknown musician — guitarist Jordan Officer. The Susie Arioli Swing Band developed a cool and sophisticated sound based on Arioli's voice and Officer's bluesy guitar. The combination was an instant hit and Montrealers flocked to the band’s shows. The same year, news travelled to the head honchos at Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, who hired them to open for the great Ray Charles. They returned to the festival in 2006 as headliners.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Listen here to Susie Arioli's All The Way
I asked Arioli to tell us about three classic tunes she recorded for her new album:
“My Funny Valentine”
“A beautiful melody, but the first day I had trouble with this one. The lyrics are a little odd and the tune is slow and very legato and I guess the ghost of Sarah Vaughan was just too strong. The next day, though, I kept the phrasing shorter and I imagined singing to a mirror, which helped me get inside the lyrics and find an emotion that felt real.”
“Here's to The Losers”
“A Frank Sinatra classic, and I always wanted to say ‘loser’ in a song! Great brass arrangement by Cameron Wallis. Check out Al McLean's wicked sax break.”
“All The Way”
“Another Sinatra classic from the 1957 film The Joker is Wild. I love the lyrics. It stuck as the title of the CD, as it summed up our determination to put together a complete and honest vocal jazz record.”
Check out this video of Arioli recording her new album All The Way.
Related links:
Canadian Jazz Essentials: Emilie-Claire Barlows’s picks
Jazz faceoff: Sarah Vaughan vs. Ella Fitzgerald
Amy Cervini digs deep to honour Blossom Dearie
Who are the best young jazz singers in Canada ? Let us know in the comments.