Album Notes

"TOP 10 JAZZ CDs OF 2005" Michael Valentine, WDNA-FM, Miami, Jazz Week, Dec. 26, 2005 “Telling Tales promises great things to come from this talented, authentic singer.” - JazzReview.com "Roz Corral has wonderful pitch, a velvet tone, world-class diction and a great sense of swing. But more importantly, she really connects to everything she sings and makes it come alive and sound new. In this day of young wanna-be jazz singers, Roz Corral is the real deal." Fred Hersh Pianist, Composer "A singer of graceful flow and buoyant spirit..." Steve Smith, Time Out New York Combining a natural feel for jazz with an evocative interpretation of a lyric, Roz Corral offers a fresh approach to a song. This New York City-based singer makes her recording debut with Telling Tales, a combination of standards and lesser known entries beautifully arranged and sung, accompanied by a group of modern masters. Corral is an excellent story teller and Telling Tales aptly describes the essence of her singing style. As the great jazz vocalist Mark Murphy puts it: "...Roz always goes to the heart of a song." In his liner notes, Chicago broadcaster/writer Neil Tesser has this to say: "She finds the heart of a song's message, as contained in the lyrics, then she finds the best way to convey that message musically, in a timbre adult, throaty, and knowing. Telling Tales may be her first album, but his is no ingénue; her command of phrasing proves that." Another important aspect of Roz Corral's singing is her great swing feel. Pianist, Bruce Barth notes "She has a freedom of phrasing and rhythm that, for me, are the essence of jazz singing." This combination of attention to lyric and musical ease is evident in her swinging opener, "Too Close For Comfort," her hard-hitting version of "I'll Never Be The Same," the Brazilian feel of Frishberg's "Wheelers and Dealers," or her poignant versions of the rarely heard "I've Got No Strings" and "Say It Isn't So." Clearly in her element, Roz Corral is known for her live performances, where her sense of joy is palpable. She performed with her sextet to a sold-out audience at New York's Jazz Standard. She has performed as part of the JVC Jazz Festival's club participation at Sweet Rhythm; and has performed at the 55 Bar, Smoke, the Zinc Bar, Flushing Town Hall and holds forth at a regular Sunday jazz brunch with notable guitar/bass backing at North Square, in the Washington Square Hotel. (www.northsquarejazz.com) Her band lends invaluable support to this first project. Reedman Steve Wilson has performed as a member of two of the finest working bands in jazz, those led by Dave Holland and Chick Corea. In the latter he played with trombonist Steve Davis and versatile drummer Jeff Ballard. Ballard and the extraordinary bassist Larry Grenadier currently anchor the Brad Mehldau Trio. Both guitarist/arranger John Hart and co-producer, pianist/arranger Bruce Barth have a series of well-received recordings as leaders. Barth, who gained recognition as part of Terence Blanchard's group, is also known for his work with such notables as Nancy Wilson and Toots Thielman, as well as the highly regarded newcomers Luciana Sousa and Carla Cook. What People Are Saying: With a voice as cozy as a goose-down duvet and as clear and sparkling as spring water, Roz Corral is that rare sort of jazz singer who makes it all seem deceptively easy. Obviously influenced by Carmen McRae, Corral traverses 11 well-known standards with the panache of a born storyteller, investing the likes of Sondheim's "Anyone Can Whistle," Mercer's "Something's Gotta Give" and Pinocchio's "I've Got No Strings" (a particular standout) with unfailing charisma. Given the impeccable quality of her musicianship, it is no wonder Corral was able to corral a bounty of top players for her recording debut. Indeed, it's hard to imagine a recording neophyte (though refreshingly, no youngster) in better company than pianist Bruce Barth