Inspired by her passion for Latin music and culture, Sonríe realizes one of Sylvia Bennett ’s most cherished dreams: a Spanish-language recording of timeless classics. Lose yourself in the Grammy-nominated artist's sultry voice – a voice first discovered by jazz legend, Lionel Hampton, and lauded by U.S. Presidents and critics alike. Sonríe is an irresistible Latin seduction, a tropical concoction as intoxicating as a first kiss.
Inspirada por su pasión para la música y cultura Latina, Sonríe es la realización de un sueño de la artista Sylvia Bennett , una colección de canciones clásicas en Español. Piérdase en la voz sensual de esta artista – una voz descubierta por el legendario Lionel Hampton, reconocida en los Grammys, y elogiada por tanto Presidentes como críticos. Sonríe es una seducción Latina, una deliciosa mezcla tropical tan intoxicante como un primer beso.
Sylvia Bennett sings of love and romance with a warm and smooth vocal delivery that leaves you longing for more. Her passion for keeping the Great American Songbook alive has resulted in a repertoire of music that shows her love for the timeless standards.
The Italian born and American raised Bennett is a singer’s singer, having sung on TV, in Community Theater, club dates, conventions and even the inaugurations of presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush. Walking in the footsteps of her idols such as Barbra Streisand, Ella Fitzgerald, Barry Manilow and Bette Midler, Sylvia has opened for artists as diverse as Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller, Jackie Mason, Dizzy Gillespie, Barry Gibb and David Brenner.
Her big break came in the 1980s, when legendary vibraphonist and National Arts Award Winner, Lionel Hampton took Sylvia under his wing and made her the first female singer to record with him in thirty years. She recounts, “Lionel validated me as a performer and inspired me to be the best singer I can be. He made me realize that the audience was the most important thing and that all I needed to do was to sing from the heart and be honest.” Sylvia worked with Hampton for ten years, touring and recording two albums together. The first, Sentimental Journey, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1987. The second project, There Will Never Be Another You, was a CD/DVD tribute to “Hamp” from Sylvia, and she furthered the honor to her mentor with the show, “The Lady and the Legend,” premiering in Miami in 2007.
Since that time, Sylvia has gone on to record four more CDs: Songs From the Heart, It’s Christmas Time, Smile and Sonríe. Her latest CD, Sonríe, was inspired by her passion for Latin music and culture, Sonríe realizes one of Sylvia Bennett’s most cherished dreams: a Spanish-language recording of timeless classics. It is an irresistible Latin seduction, a tropical concoction as intoxicating as a first kiss.
In addition to her recordings, Sylvia loves to perform in front of a live audience. She has created a unique blend of different shows covering everything from Broadway to pop and from swing to international singing in English, Spanish, and French. Her goal of making people happy motivates her to continue bringing music and joy to the world.
Featured Musicians:
Piano: Mike Levine in all songs except El Reloj & Sabor a Mi
Bass: Chuck Bergeron Mirada de Amor, Sonrie, La Sombra de Tu Amor, Cuando Vuelva A Tu Lado
Additional Bass: Ranses Colon on Somos Novios, Besame Mucho, Quien Sera, Perfidia
Drums and Percussions: Richard Bravo: Miradad de Amor, Sonrie, La Sombra de Tu Amor, Cuando Vuelva a Tu Lado
Drums and Percussions programmed by: Hal S. Batt
All Guitars: Hal S. Batt
Vienna Strings: Arranged and performed by: Mike Lewis in Mirada De Amor, Sonrie, La Sombra de Tu Amor, Cuando Vuelva a Tu Lado.
Additional Violin Overdubs: Geremy Miller on Mirada de Amor, Sonrie, La Sombra de Tu Amor, Cuando Vuelva a Tu Lado.
Background Vocals on Tanto Vivir: Astrid Pazmino, Hal S. Batt
Programming, Bass and Strings on El Reloj and Sabor a Mi: Hal S. Batt
Credits:
Produced by: Hal S. Batt
Recorded and Mixed by: Hal S. Batt
Engineered by: Hal S. Batt
Additional Recording Engineer: Juan Angelogianopulos
Mastered by: Bruce Weeden
Recorded at: Afterhours Music Studio
North Miami, FL
Designed by: E. W. Greco/Associates and Sketch Creative Studio
Spanish Vocal Coach on all songs except Sonríe: Juan Angelogianopulos
Spanish Vocal Coach on Sonríe: Samantha Bowen
Spanish Vocal Coach on Tanto Vivir: Janet Moorhead
Photography: David Vance
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