Album Notes

With her premier full-length CD recording Lisa has taken a fresh look at popular jazz standards to create modern soulful renditions that are all her own. The CD also features her first recorded original, What Can I Do, on which Nelson Rangell adds his magic with Soprano Sax. As an artist, Lisa dares to be different, expressive and musically eclectic. Her first CD reflects her unique style, smooth vocals and a band of musicians second to none. From the first notes of Summertime with a searing Latin beat, to the final In a Sentimental Mood with its exquisitely poignant vocal/guitar arrangement, Dare To Be...provides variety and excitement for standard and "cool" jazz lovers of all kinds. Dare To Be...is presented on the Hapi Skratch Records label.

Lisa Bell has loved and has been performing jazz since she can remember, receiving her BA degree in vocal performance with an emphasis in jazz from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. In Kansas City, Lisa worked with Bobby McFerrin, Marilyn Maye and Ida McBeth among others. She also recorded numerous jazz demo albums as well as jingles during her eight years in the Kansas City area. Lisa has been singing tight vocal harmonies since high school, and was a founder and member of two professional vocal ensembles, More or Less Jazz and Jazz on the Rocks. She writes original songs in jazz, pop and contemporary Christian realms. Lisa honed her vocal skills over the years by performing every genre of music from musical theater to opera and country western, but her true passion is vocal jazz.