Album Notes

Simone Kopmajer´s long awaited, new CD „Didn´t You Say“ is out now in the US. Played by a superb and complimentary rhythm section of John di Martino (piano), James Chirillo (guitar), Richie Goods (bass), Tim Horner (drums) and Tim Ouimette (trumpet & flugelhorn) the album goes seamlessly from the great jazz standards to the music of Motown and Prince.

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It was Simone’s idea to take the great songs of different generations and put all together in what could be considered a level playing field. «I love to sing the great jazz standards,» the 20-something Austrian native tells me, «but, great as they are, I don’t want to sing them exclusively.» Thus she mixes it up–going seamlessly from the music of Prince and Motown to that of the Gershwins and Rodgers & Hart. She varies between the old and new, which is entirely logical considering that virtually all of them are considerably older than she is.

She also includes music from both Broadway and Nashville–also a logical choice considering that New York and Tennessee are roughly equidistant from Vienna. Simone takes an evocative country-folk song associated with Alison Kraus, and, with her stunning voice and the combined musicality of herself and co-producer/pianist John di Martino, makes it into something even more special.
«I was driving from one show to another in the States, when I heard it on the car radio.» she reports, «I couldn’t get all the details, but I eventually figured out what the song was. Before I could find the sheet music, I wrote out the chords myself.» It’s a beautifully sung and even haunting performance–in more ways than one.

The new CD also includes three excellent original songs, my favorite of which is «Didn’t You Say.» «It’s about these men that promise you all kinds of things, and then in the end, they don’t deliver anything.» She tells me it’s inspired by real relationships, and I tell her she’s too young to be so cynical. However, the Count Basie-style beat provided by the combination of di Martino and ace rhythm guitarist helps negate any possible ill will, and «Didn’t You Say» turns out to be a real romper after all.
- Will Friedwald

Produced by Simone Kopmajer & John di Martino. All arrangements by John di Martino. Recorded by Jon Rosenberg at Systems Two Studio in New York. Mixed & Mastered by Franz Sommer at „Franks Cave“, Austria. Photography : Christian Jungwirth.

Please visit Simone Kopmajer's website at www.simonekopmajer.com

PRESS

„Simone Kopmajer possesses a voice of incredible depth. Her approach to a song is understated sincerity.“ –Jazz Review (USA)
Twenty-something Austrian singer Simone Kopmajer has toured Europe, Asia and also spends a couple of weeks annually in the U.S. She's dynamite! She's played and recorded with such names as Houston Person, George Mraz, Victor Lewis, James Genus and Eric Alexander. – Florida Today (USA) 2010
„...with this lineup, presumptions must have been high, and Kopmajer does not disappoint. She posses that unique ability to exhibit her own approach while remaining true to the tradition....This set is heartily recommended for those interested in excellent jazz vocals, rooted in the past while learning toward the future.“ –Jazz Improv Magazine (USA)

“To the list of young ones to watch..we’ll add Simone Kopmajer. Write it down…she’s going to be around for a long time.” – Doug Boynton (jazzsingers.com/ US)

„There´s no denying that the cloud-soft Kopmajer is a breath of fresh air, and it will be intriguing to hear wich way her gentle breeze blows next - Jazztimes (USA)

„Simone Kopmajer is the genuine article, a real beauty inside and out, She sings and swings with a lot of grace and remarkable clarity, and she is gonna be heard from...“--Mark Murphy

„....I hear a lot of beautiful soul in her voice and music.“ - Todd Barkan, Jazz at Lincon Center

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