Album Notes

Evita Cobo has an unspoiled voice, a gift for true expression and a love and respect for fine songs.

Evita was raised in Elberton, Georgia and now makes her home in Vermont. She began her vocal training at Bennington College where she studied with tenor Frank Baker. This was the beginning of a long journey of vocal work, leading to study with an elite group of singer-teachers in jazz including Mark Murphy, Sheila Jordan, Rebecca Parris, Rhiannon and Jay Clayton.

Her parallel career as a psychotherapist has been quite fulfilling in this journey of song where self expression reigns, and leads us to understand her proclivity for lyric.

Evita has performed in numerous venues in New England during her 18 years as a professional musician, including solo performances at the prestigious Harvard Club in Boston and the Century Club in New York. Her New York City debut, however, was to a sold out crowd at Danny's Skylight Room in 1995.

INVITATION, Evita's first recording, is an intelligent and rich collection of fine songs from the American repertoire. Produced by the great vocalist, Rebecca Parris, the recording simply and smartly showcases Evita's engaging voice and her affection for the riches in songs both celebrated and lesser-known. Critic and author James Gavin says, "Evita is a find. Her voice is a breeze to listen to - warm, sweet, relaxed, gently swinging and always connected to the words. She sings with an optimistic lilt, but can get darker when the song calls for it. What you won't hear are tricks, frills or anything remotely affected. Technically, Evita has done her homework, but she doesn't feel the need to show off; for her the song comes first."

Her debut CD was reviewed in Cadence Magazine, February 2005; "Invitation...a decidedly auspicious recorded debut from a most promising new vocalist...the voice is warm, with an attractive transparency that informs the lyric and projects, at the same time, an aura of vulnerability." Her CD release concert at Danny's Skylight Room, New York, January 2005 was reviewed by Cabaret Scenes; "Cobo is a keeper, someone to keep an eye out for, a lilting jazz swinger who zeroes into the lyrics with heart and understanding. She has a sure and focused vocal tone with edges that can dissolve into smoke."

Jazz improvisation artist, Rhiannon remarks, "Just when you think classic jazz singers are gone, there is Evita Cobo with her debut CD, INVITATION. Her tone is like velvet. Her songs are unusual, rarely heard while others are deeply familiar; all with her refreshing, mature examination of love, life and change. She is in the company of great musicians who push her and hold her while she tells her musical story with so much heart and talent. Keep believing in jazz singers and listen carefully to Evita."