Sandra Kaye: Press & Reviews

Sandra Kaye enchanted the audience with classic tunes Wednesday night at the Sammons Center For The Arts

Back In Time

UNT band honors Gershwin; Kaye invokes Sarah Vaughan

By Matt Weitz
(Special Contributor)

JAZZ REVIEW

With the second show in it's spring season, the Sammons Center for the Arts has once again established itself as one of the best deals available to the local music fan, particularly if he or she is looking to impress a date with an evening of understated musical elegance.
The center's sold-out show Wednesday night was a double-header paying tribute to George Gershwin. First on the bill was the University of North Texas Jazz Repertory Ensemble's new take on the music of the Gershwin era.
The small group - 18 players, give or take a few according to arrangements - started out with four songs from the era: "I Got Rhythm," "I Found a New Baby," "Tiger Rag" and "HIgh Society." All were directed by John Murphy, who plays in the Alternative Jazz Sextet with Dave Zoller and Drew Phelps.
Taken from stock arrangements from radio stations WBAP and WFAA's music libraries, the songs - true to the era but argumented in places with added solos and harmony - seem less the museum pieces that they’re usually presented as and more the soundtrack to someone’s life, lifted, say, from a humid evening in a ragtime speakeasy.
The high point was a performance with guest pianist Dr. Steven Harlos of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Most of us are used to big, room-filling orchestral versions of this number, sweeping versions that play up New York City as a cinematic concept featuring Robert De Niro as the listener.
Wednesday night’s version based on a recording of an arrangement for a nine-piece orchestra by Mas Ikemiya, with the New York Ragtime Orchestra - was a more intimate reading that presented NYC as a personal, neighborhood experience. It made for a refreshingly different interpretation of a favorite.

The second half of the show was a lesson in how good you can be and still be in Dallas. Vocalist Sandra Kaye has been delighting area audiences for years with her invocation of the spirits of greats like Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan, and she continued the trend Wednesday night with classics like “Summertime” and “Someone To Watch Over Me.”

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5 out of 5 stars GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reviewer: Diane Watson
I have enjoyed this CD, play it all the time. Please keep singing. Love you

5 out of 5 stars This CD Is The Best Out Of Ten
Reviewer: Steve Okubadejo
I was shopping for music and bought 10 CD's on this day. This CD by Sandra Kaye from the United States is very, very nice. She has a great voice and should be heard by everyone.

5 out of 5 stars Reminds Me Of A Different Time, When A Singer Was Real
Reviewer: Mary C
I have enjoyed this CD very much, I even place it with the music that I have listened to for years. Enjoy, it is very nice.

5 out of 5 stars Sandra Kaye IS Jazz!
Reviewer: Sherle Stevens
This woman's heart is as big and beautiful as her voice, and she is never better than on this fabulous jazz and blues album. She just shines! Your collection is just not complete without it!

5 out of 5 stars I LOVE THIS CD!!
Reviewer: Thomas Walker
I have been listening and listening and listening again and I still love this CD. Sandra Kaye reminds me of Dinah Washington for sure, but her style is all her own. She sings the blues and ballads with ease and brings you into the experience. Now that is the sign of an excellent artist. TD

4 out of 5 stars Sandra Kaye has Captured the art of the Torch Song and takes to another level!
Reviewer: LV Washington
If you are a lover of the late great Dinah Washington, or the Blues of Billie and Bessie, then you'll love Sandra Kaye. These great songs are jazz and blues standards that have been given a new life. The musical accompaniment, and the band are to be applauded as well, for laying down such a smooth blended canvas for Ms. Sandra Kaye to paint her vocal music mastery! Kudos for a fine CD.

5 out of 5 stars Superb!
Reviewer: Joan Cartwright
Exquisite, delightful, superb accompaniement! Sandra Kaye is smoothe, articulate, swinging and clairvoyant because her CD is tooooo present for me. She's captured the standards and weaved them into a contemporary fabric, guilded in gold. I'm not kidding. She's delightful and the musicians are clearly seasoned. They add the seasoning to Sandra's velvet voice. It's easy for me to rave about her because she's my friend. We're waiting for her next CD. Let's see if she can top this one.

5 out of 5 stars
Reviewer: Hazel
This is truelly a CD that covers a wide range of emotions for those who are listening. The music is exciting and romantic and I've suggested it to all my friends from Fort Worth to Washington St.

5 out of 5 stars One sophisticated Lady with one sophisticated sound!!!!!!!!!!
Reviewer: Mary C. McGregor
This CD brings back the style of the big band era and takes the listener back to the time of Ella Fitzgerald and Dinah Washington. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.

4 out of 5 stars What a WONDERFUL experience
Reviewer: April Dickson
"What Will I Tell My Heart?", is most certainly a must for anyone who enjoys being swept into a musical wonderland. Sometimes belting, and sometimes crooning, Sandra Kaye brings listeners into her grasp, and captivates from beginning to end. What a WONDERFUL experience this CD has been and will continue to be.

5 out of 5 stars BUY THIS CD
Reviewer: Deborah Davis
Looking for jazz. Look no further. Buy This CD! Buy Two or Three and give a couple for Birthday Presents, Wedding Gifts, Christmas or I just called to say I love you gifts. If you want make someone's jazzy day, call them up and leave" Blow Top Blues" on their answering maching. All's I can say is, "That's how we do it in Texas!" Sandra Kay is a surely a Diva worth more recognition. She's in a league with all the greats. Great delivery, great repertoire, great pitch, great musicians, great attitude, great voice, great style, great phrasing, and she creates a great mood. Go ahead and make a great investment in jazz, buy it now! And tell 'em Debo sent you!

5 out of 5 stars
Reviewer: Cindy Scott (not cynthia)
Wow, can this woman sing the blues! Huge voice, great pitch, stellar delivery, and lots of attitude. Great CD!

5 out of 5 stars BREATHTAKING AND POWERFUL
Reviewer: Victoria
The music on this CD is incredible. It is rare that you find such an artist that is such a vocal powerhouse who can make a song completely their own. Sandra does just that in “Blue Gardenia”, “Unlucky Woman”, and “Let Me Love You” to name a few on this CD. Not only is it the clarity and power of voice, it’s the interpretation and understanding that make Sandra’s signing so beautiful. Sandra is a remarkable artist. Her brilliance lies not just within her strong, smooth and silky vocals that she executes with style and emotion but also her impeccable taste in accompanists and material. Here she takes material from a world-renowned roster of writers and makes them sound as if she has owned them all along. The CD’s sound is intimate and warm. I listen to this CD over and over and never tire of hearing her voice. Buy this CD and find out why Sandra Kaye is such a vocal jazz triumph. Sandra Kaye easily stands next to the greatest of jazz legends for she is a legend herself. Enjoy it on your own. Share it with someone special. You’ll be glad you did.

5 out of 5 stars
Reviewer: cynthia scott
What Will I Tell My Heart is a CD for lovers who appreciate a great story told by a great story teller. This special vocal CD by Sandra Kaye is a must have to be included in your vocal library.

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