February 12th, 2012 ... Grammy Announcement Day

I must say that I have been swept up in all the excitement of being a Grammy Nominee this year. But, just like the Federal Government, I believe the NARAS Association needs some house cleaning and reform especially after last year's category cuts. I'm closely watching how NARAS is handling this controversy and I feel strongly there are enough honest members interested in a serious review of last years changes.





On a happier note, this past wednesday, NARAS threw parties on both coasts for Grammy Nominees. This was such a thrill for me to stand with Tierney Sutton, Kurt Elling and Karrin Allyson. I admire them all very much and I am honored to be part of the group. Terri Lynn Carrington could not be there (she is the 5th Vocal Jazz Nominee). Apparently Terri Lynn was allowed in the Vocal Jazz category because she had over 51 minutes of vocals on her album. I've always dug Terri Lynn and she certainly made a fine album.
I am looking forward to hitting the road on February 10th with all of my family in tow. My mother Ruby, her best friend Ann Cox, Sisters Debbie Vitro and Karen Penrod, Debbie's daughter, my niece Lily Smith, husband Paul, daughter Sarah, her boyfriend Dave Pagano, my charming-hair dresser to the stars - Jerry Lambert and his adorable Chef husband Scott Largent. Did I leave anyone out? Lol We're all staying at fabulous Double-Tree where we can hang and party and enjoy what I feel is a 'nod' from my peers.
I'm very grateful at this moment even though this is a difficult time for NARAS. I have faith that it's all gonna work out, that NARAS will re-instate categories that's disenfranchised great artists and whether I win a Grammy or applaud while someone else gets one, it's been an amazing couple of months. My heart is truly touched by all of my friends and well wishers who've posted kudos, called me, texted me and emailed congratulations. Thank you So much. I'm off into a Charlie Parker period for a minute, so you'll see and hear what that's about in April.

Christmas 2011 -

Christmas arrived early for me this year complete with a Grammy Nomination for the Best Vocal Jazz Recording for :The Music of Randy Newman, on the Motéma Music label.
After many years in the music business and doing what we all do in New York; work on our music - this has been a beautiful surprise for me. I'm in a group of nominees who've all been nominated before and one who already has a Grammy. I'm going to close my eyes and enjoy the ride in February when all of my family fly out to Hollywood and join in the big celebration.
I'm very grateful and I Thank everyone who has supported my music through the years and the great musicians who have played music with me.
Paul and Sarah and I will be in Dallas and Marco Island for the Holidays. See you for New Years at The DeerHead Inn..
Love Ro

Thanksgiving 2011 -

This Thanksgiving we had a beautiful time with Sarah home, Paul and Jason Teborek joining us.
I feel very lucky to have a loving family, a roof over my head, a job, many friends and inspiration. On December 19th, Sarah and I will head to Texas to see sisters, Debbie, Karen, niece Lily, Gary & Craig and best of all- my mother Ruby who is up walking this year. Then Sarah and I meet Paul in Ft.Meyers, Florida and head to Mary's house, Paul's mom. Love to all my friends this Holiday Season...x Ro

2011 Grammy's-Youtube Madness - Fall in NY.

On this sunday morning I am thinking of how much I love the fall season in New York. The leaves are changing to deep hues of red, bright gold and orange. The air is cool and crisp and once again it's time for carving pumpkins, for turkeys to hide and the 2011 Grammys. I've released 12 cds in my professional lifetime with the world's greatest musicians singing the hippest songs and arrangements supported by top jazz labels all recorded by Paul Wickliffe (one of the world's greatest recording engineers), website and advertisement designs by my daughter Sarah Wickliffe and advice and management by Jeffrey Levenson. How could I have been any luckier? My latest cd. "The Music of Randy Newman" , (which is up for nomination this year on Motéma Records) was a beautiful musical journey, great lyrics with stories I could believe it. Mark Soskin, great pianist and arranger for this project was Not submitted for of his arrangements on this project. I left the decisions of nominations up to our label which released many great projects this year. If I were lucky enough to be nominated in the Vocal Jazz category, I'll BUY Mark Soskin a ticket to fly out to Hollywood with me. Ms. Sara Caswell, virtuoso violinist on my project, is nominated for her solo on Mark's poignant arrangement of "In Germany Before the War". Sara truly deserves a nomination for her solo, work ethic and vast talent. Dean Johnson and Tim Horner (bassist & drummer) with me for so many concerts, recordings and travel around the world are the finest rhythm section pairing any musician can imagine. I love and respect these two friends with highest esteem and appreciation for their contributions to my music.
Today I was perusing Youtube, listening to new artists and I found a new posting with my latest cd cover, but the track was for " I Don't Need No Doctor" from my "Catchin' Some Ray's" recording on Telarc in 1997. I thought it was a very interesting that someone would post a tune with the wrong cover? Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1lkZ5AgOXE
Ps. Thank you to this blog for posting a new review of "Catchin' Some Rays" all of these years later. http://rfccbh.blogspot.com/2011/06/roseanna-vitro-catchin-some-rays-music.html
Now back to thinking about JVOICE (Vocal Jazz Site on Facebook) and what new project I'd like to grab a hold of. Practice- Practice - Practice -

San Diego - September 20th - The SavilleTheater - Review - The San Diego Reader by Robert Bush

photo's : Michael Oletta



Jason Teborek
Zach BrockAkira Tana - Roseanna Vitro

San Diego Reader

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/

By Robert Bush | Posted September 22, 2011, 5:23 p.m.

KSDS Jazz 88 launched their fall concert series, Jazz Live, with a performance by Roseanna Vitro, who is touring in support of her latest recording on the Motema Music Label, The Music of Randy Newman.

Vitro was born in Arkansas and spent much of her early career in Houston. "Randy comes out of New Orleans, so I can relate to that sense of barbeque in his music," said the singer.

The arrangements on the Newman record were written by Vitro's regular pianist, Mark Soskin, who didn't just reharmonize everything and turn the idiosyncratic composer's cadences into swing — rather, he chose to adapt the material as close to its original spirit as possible.

Vitro, who now resides in New Jersey, brought pianist Jason Teborek and violinist Zach Brock to the West Coast, and, in San Francisco, enlisted veteran drummer Akira Tana for the San Diego gig. Ubiquitous local bassist Rob Thorsen completed the ensemble.

Vitro's strong, no-nonsense, pitch-perfect alto is a natural fit for the music of Randy Newman. She was able to interpret songs like "Sail Away" into a dynamic that didn't lose sight of Newman's sardonic wit and world-weary sense of irony.

The singer's massive jazz credentials never hijacked the spirit of Newman's music, and when she ventured outside that composer's catalog — her inerrant sense of swing and adventurous musicality served a welcome respite from the empty vocal gymnastics of the "American Idol" world we live in.

Special kudos go to Teborek, who handled the straight-eighth rhythmic flow of the Newman material with considerable grace. His solo's were essays in golden toned, fully formed ideas, reminiscent of Lyle Mays's early work with Pat Metheny.

Tana rocked the house with his everything-but-the-kitchen-sink drum solo on "Mama Told Me Not to Come", rearranged with a sultry, stealth dynamic. Thorsen's growling whole notes and joyous walking bass meshed well with the drummer's aesthetic, even though it was their first time playing together.

The principal melodic counterpoint was handled by the excellent, soulful violin of Brock, who nearly stole the show with his intricate lines and sumptuous glissandi, especially on "Sail Away" and "In Germany Before the War," where his attack took on the nature of a soprano saxophone.

Newman's winsome ballad in waltz time, "Losing You," featured a tricky ensemble arrangement that consumed most of the early rehearsal time I witnessed, but Vitro's unadorned, naked honesty made it a highlight moment worthy of all the effort.

Whether she was re-imagining the music of Randy Newman or swinging like nobody's business, Rosanne Vitro's Saville Theatre performance was a master class in pure musical expression.

Summer's Almost Gone- This was a good one-

I haven't posted in while. I've had a lovely summer, lots of family, cool vacation, lots of support and good vibes for my new cd. : The Music of Randy Newman. I want to 'Thank" everyone who gave my band and new cd. a serious listen, it was a true labor of love. Thanks to Randy Newman for your warm quote, Downbeat for the most stars I've ever received, JazzTimes, AllAboutJazz for the amazing feature this month, Ruth Price for your support and intro to the Bergman's, Jeff Levenson for all of your help and advice, Paul and Sarah for every hug, nod and rewrite, web design help and of course to Jana Herzen at Motema for believing in my project and being such a hip person to work with and for. The RNP Band- Mark Soskin (wow we did it Mark-), Sara Caswell (you are so special), Tim Horner and Dean Johnson- (I love you like we're married but brothers and sisters?!!ha)..As we head into September 1st's Webcast and Concert at Iridium, I'm pretty happy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7Vgi4y3a20 Ro

Vacation Antigua- after some great gigs with RNP-

I had a beautiful little tour with my new RNP Band...The Motéma Music release: The Music of Randy Newman -we had a great gig June 13th at Dizzy's..Thank you to all my dear friends who turned out. I appreciate your support so much. I don't always do the predictable and so I appreciate those who appreciate that!...The Randy Newman Project is a blast musically. Those who don't know Randy's music are missing out. Yes, some lyrics are silly and fun and others are profound- you just have to listen.

I'm in the caribbean right now. I'll post NY. Denver and LA. photos soon.