....She's back! There are thousands of jazz singers in this world,but,in my opinion Erin McDougald is one of the best ever. Without a doubt, her recording and live performances constitute some of the purest jazz singing in all of American music. There is no drama or the vocal gymnastics, this young lady shows her greatness by not ever pushing, her delivery is pure and right in the pocket of greatness.The style varies greatly,she picks the most amazing songs,Erin's beat and syncopation, swinging hard but also sexifies the structure when needed,casting a spell of hushed reverie that makes time stand still.The way Ben Webster or Dexter Gordon,on a tenor saxophone sound when playing a phrase or ballad. Get my drift? It does make you appreciate her depth of talent immediately. Add a personal raw emotion, that speaks to the listener and you have Erin McDougald. FYI- Erin McDougald is a Chicago-based artist whose credentials include numerous headline appearances in the famed Green Mill and Jazz Showcase as well as performances in New York City’s Smalls and Metropolitan Room with special appearances at Dizzy’s with the Wynton Marsalis band.
Erin moved to Chicago still in her teens from a small town in Ohio, just north of Columbus, called Delaware, Ohio. She grew up with her parents, younger sister Leah and her father's father, Gordon McDougald, living most of her formative years in the home her parents built and designed on a small street where stable horses, farming cows, roaming deer and wooded ravines were the serene backdrop.Her grandfather loved jazz and introduced her to songs recorded by his musical hero-- Nat "King" Cole as well as Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, Julie London, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and his favorite female singer "Sweet" Nancy Wilson. These introductory lessons and grandfatherly stories most often occurred on scenic, country dives together while listening to AM radio. As the Centennial of her grandfather has come and gone in the last year,it is a touching cosmic coincidence that the centennials of Billie Holiday, Billy Strayhorn and Sinatra are all wrapped into 2015. The music that Erin has most identified with for almost half of her life has kept renewing itself in every year and discovered different facets of her own artistic improvisational jazz style. More often than not she is also associated with artistic aspects of Carmen McRae, Nancy Wilson and Lorez Alexandria. But her biggest inspiration comes from instrumental jazz where she interprets the "voice" of instruments as her own by honing in on what their phrasing is conveying. While she is most commonly compared to the rhythmic styling of Anita O'Day, she has used her own brilliance by being inspired by and not doing a carbon copy.I think Anita would not only love Erin's inspiration but also her supreme originality via inspiration, and hard work. Which are things that Anita championed. I can say that because, I had the pleasure quite a few times in the 70's to play some clubs and festivals with Anita, and know her agenda very well.
... In Erin's words- "
> I am trying to create culture always. If that means creating new compositions to which I'm most honestly expressive, so be it. If that means singing bebop or a standard in my own style, so be it. Unlike some modern musicians of the genre, I am proud to be affiliated with the term "jazz artist". Where some people find it archaic or financially oppressive in connotation, I think it's a badge of honor which symbolizes artistic individuality over generic conformity. It's not about being the hippest cat in the room or on stage, or even having the most chops or awards; it's about finding the vulnerable spot in each song you play or sing and making it appealing to anyone who is listening. Vulnerability is the greatest strength in music when combined with skill and sincerity. Glory is temporary if ever in the jazz life, but sincerity and creativity are the pithy foundations of our contributions."
That's a mantra to live by and another reason to add Erin to the A-list of jazz musicians that deserve not only your attention, but a world class presence in festivals, concerts, recordings on major labels and a constant presence in New York City jazz clubs so her craft and art can be on display. Heed my words and make it a point to get to hear her quintet for a one-night only performance of “This Side of Sinatra” for the crooner’s centennial birthday; songs will include innovative arrangements of well-known and lesser-known Frank Sinatra recordings in McDougald’s one of a kind, best in the biz jazz style.This performance of Erin's is a rare chance to hear her ambitious Sinatra songbook, and what a wide range of material it is,to be the most exquisite exemplification of Sinatra.
Till next week...Support live music, and stay tuned- Tim Price Bloggin' For D'Addario Woodwinds.
TICKETS & INFORMATION:
(646) 476-3551
254 W 54th St, Cellar, New York, NY 10019
....She's back! There are thousands of jazz singers in this world,but,in my opinion Erin McDougald is one of the best ever. Without a doubt, her recording and live performances constitute some of the purest jazz singing in all of American music. There is no drama or the vocal gymnastics, this young lady shows her greatness by not ever pushing, her delivery is pure and right in the pocket of greatness.The style varies greatly,she picks the most amazing songs,Erin's beat and syncopation, swinging hard but also sexifies the structure when needed,casting a spell of hushed reverie that makes time stand still.The way Ben Webster or Dexter Gordon,on a tenor saxophone sound when playing a phrase or ballad. Get my drift? It does make you appreciate her depth of talent immediately. Add a personal raw emotion, that speaks to the listener and you have Erin McDougald. FYI- Erin McDougald is a Chicago-based artist whose credentials include numerous headline appearances in the famed Green Mill and Jazz Showcase as well as performances in New York City’s Smalls and Metropolitan Room with special appearances at Dizzy’s with the Wynton Marsalis band.
Erin moved to Chicago still in her teens from a small town in Ohio, just north of Columbus, called Delaware, Ohio. She grew up with her parents, younger sister Leah and her father's father, Gordon McDougald, living most of her formative years in the home her parents built and designed on a small street where stable horses, farming cows, roaming deer and wooded ravines were the serene backdrop.Her grandfather loved jazz and introduced her to songs recorded by his musical hero-- Nat "King" Cole as well as Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, Julie London, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and his favorite female singer "Sweet" Nancy Wilson. These introductory lessons and grandfatherly stories most often occurred on scenic, country dives together while listening to AM radio. As the Centennial of her grandfather has come and gone in the last year,it is a touching cosmic coincidence that the centennials of Billie Holiday, Billy Strayhorn and Sinatra are all wrapped into 2015. The music that Erin has most identified with for almost half of her life has kept renewing itself in every year and discovered different facets of her own artistic improvisational jazz style. More often than not she is also associated with artistic aspects of Carmen McRae, Nancy Wilson and Lorez Alexandria. But her biggest inspiration comes from instrumental jazz where she interprets the "voice" of instruments as her own by honing in on what their phrasing is conveying. While she is most commonly compared to the rhythmic styling of Anita O'Day, she has used her own brilliance by being inspired by and not doing a carbon copy.I think Anita would not only love Erin's inspiration but also her supreme originality via inspiration, and hard work. Which are things that Anita championed. I can say that because, I had the pleasure quite a few times in the 70's to play some clubs and festivals with Anita, and know her agenda very well.
... In Erin's words- " 
TICKETS & INFORMATION:
(646) 476-3551
254 W 54th St, Cellar, New York, NY 10019
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