"Saloff remains one of the finest jazz vocalists working in this or any other city. Slyly sophisticated, easily accessible, Saloff stands as a kind of ideal", the Chicago Tribune stated emphatically. "A wicked way with a lyric and a glint of well-controlled mischief. A sparkle that lights up the performance", exclaimed The New York Times. Heard worldwide as the co-star and co-creator of the internationally syndicated Public Radio series Words and Music on PBS, Spider Saloff has received critical acclaim nationally and internationally. As one of the rare officially sanctioned acts of the Gershwin Centennial, her concert, Spider Saloff Sings Gershwin, has been touring the U.S. since 1996 and headlined the St. Petersburg Gershwin Festival in Russia (the birthplace of Gershwin's ancestors), including performances in the Gershwin family home. Ms. Saloff has played such renowned jazz and nightclub venues as New York's Firebird, Michael's Pub, The Russian Tea Room, The Algonquin, Café Carlyle, and Birdland, as well as San Francisco's Plush Room and Chicago's famed Gold Star Sardine Bar and Toulouse on the Park, the Fairmont Hotel, and The Plaza Tavern. Other leading venues include The Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, Wilmington Grand Opera, Wallingford Symphony, the Everett Symphony, and Town Hall and Dick Hyman's Jazz in July in New York. Spider Saloff has recorded and performed with such jazz luminaries as Tom Harrell, Nick Brignola, Ray Drummond, and Dick Hyman. She has worked frequently with Larry Novak, Tony Monte, Steve LaSpina, and John Colianni (Mel Torme's pianist for five years). A five-time winner of the prestigious MAC Award, including one for Best Female Jazz Vocalist, presented by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets, she also received a special citation for her musical contributions from NARAS (presenter of the Grammy Awards). Spider Saloff has five CDs released nationally on Kopaesthetics Records: 1938, Sextet, The Memory of All That, and A New Set of Standards. Her latest release is a Christmas CD entitled Cool Yule. Television and radio credits include: The Bonnie Hunt Show (CBS), The Steve Baskerville Show (CBS), a one-hour feature on the Noteworthy Women series (Public Radio), and Studs Terkel (WFMT). What others say about Spider Saloff... "Ms. Saloff is a gifted and polished song stylist who gives Gershwin a new spin. A most enjoyable musical outing." - Rex Reed "Saloff accomplishes an impressive feat: She brings fresh ideas to extremely familiar Gershwin standards." - Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune "There have been countless album salutes to George and Ira Gershwin, but few as fresh or relaxed as Spider Saloff's 'The Memory of All That'." - Lloyd Sachs, Chicago Sun-Times "Spider Saloff loves a Gershwin tune, and so will you after listening to her fresh interpretations of standards such as 'Embraceable You' and 'Love Walked In'. Saloff delivers a warm toast to the Gershwin brothers that brings a champagne glow to all who listen." - Knight-Ridder Newspapers "Saloff consistently strips away the obvious phrasing and renders crisp, simple touches that make this whole album a joy. In fact, s'wonderful." - John Hoglund, Back Stage "Spider is a wonderful interpreter of this material and her accompaniment arrangements are first-rate. It's one of the best Gershwin albums I know. Right-on intonation and a personal style which can sell a ballad or tantalize with half a chorus of scatting." - Dick Hyman "This is a seriously great album. Spider's solid rhythmic sense and warm, cozy vocals bring a freshness and elegance to the music of the Gershwins. The arrangements are full of wonderful surprises and a delight to listen to." - Billy Stritch "A truly wonderful singer! Spider sings Gershwin with such understanding, personality, and insight. A first rate interpreter of the American songbook. My dad played with Paul Whiteman and was a New York City theater musician. I grew up listening to the songbook, so I think I know a little bit about what's good and not so good." - Phillip T. Ventre, Conductor, Wallingford Symphony Orchestra "A thrilling singer! This is a voice you can dig, 'cause I dig it too." -Lionel Hampton "She electrified Tatou's full house. Rarely have I heard so many musical ideas from one set of pipes with the talent and self-assurance to carry them off. Her jazz phrasing is flawless." - Back Stage "Saloff's frenzied scat-singing trip brought the audience to its knees." - The Star Ledger "It's apparent she's a performer of depth...she demonstrated her impressive jazz skills...[and] a sudden outpouring of radiant high notes. Her voice takes on a lovely Billie Holiday-like quality. Saloff will win you over completely." - The New York Post "Whether scatting impressively or breaking hearts with her stirring performance, her agile voice and winning stage presence kept the audience totally enthralled." - The Asbury Park Press "Saloff's flexible pop soprano pipes are tops." - Variety "Spider makes every songs a deeply moving love song. Full of life and vitality." - Studs Terkel "Can she sing! She is the ultimate amalgam of every great singer one has ever been a fan of, and like no one I have ever heard. Every 4 bars I thought I heard Lena, Anita, Annie Ross, etc...but no, it was not them - it was Spider, Spider and Spider once again." - Buddy Bregman
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