The CD: On her latest CD, “Fun Out of Life”, April Hall revitalizes the classic jazz standard, creating music that’s alive with energy and attitude. From subtly nuanced ballads to soul-drenched blues, the emotional power of her delivery is perfectly framed by the elegant simplicity of her arrangements.
Hall’s performance is deeply personal on “I’ve Got the World on a String” and unapologetically swinging on “Foolin’ Myself”. She sings Jimmy Rushing’s “Boogie Woogie Blues” with an authentic southern swagger, and gives an unforgettably sultry rendition of Percy Mayfield‘s protest song “Please Send Me Someone to Love” (featuring New Orleans saxophonist Amadee Castenell, of Allen Toussaint and Elvis Costello).
Add to these stunning vocals a stellar ensemble that organically follows the lead of Hall’s exquisite phrasing, and you can be sure that this collection of great American songs will provide any lover of vocal jazz with a great deal of “Fun Out of Life”!
April, a Florida native, has roots steeped in southern tradition, music and culture.
Her deep roots in southern gospel and blues combine with urban soulfulness and
sophistication to create music that’s pure, gutsy, and unmistakably authentic.
April’s voice is an instrument of astonishing beauty and versatility, capable of
ranging from the subtlest nuance to the most powerful soul-drenched belting with
equal ease and mastery. But her focus is always on singing the song, in the tradition
of classic singers like Joe Williams, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles and Tony Bennett.
In 1993 April graduated from Berklee College of Music, where she received the
prestigious Louis Armstrong Performance Award. She has done projects for Atlantic
Records under the direction of Arif Mardin for the likes of Melissa Manchester,
Bette Midler and Chaka Khan and has appeared on stage with artists such as
Al Jarreau, Jim Ed Brown, Helen Cornelius, Rosemary Clooney and Dinah Shore. For
the past 12 years, she has been recording and performing with New England's finest
musicians.
Her graceful good looks and powerful presence have captivated audiences at every
conceivable venue, from night-clubs like The Regattabar and Scullers to the fine
ballrooms of the Copley Plaza and Ritz Carlton, from the Vonn Trapp Estate in New
Hampshire to the mansions of Newport, from intimate parties on the Cape to major
events like the Anthony Spinazolla Gala Festival of Food & Wine, National Democratic
Convention and the NAFTA Convention.
April is also an award winning songwriter, and her music has been featured on Boston's
"Women in Music" series (presented by WERS) and on "The Coffeehouse". In addition
to leading her Jazz Quartet, she also moonlights as the lead singer for Boston’s Premier
R&B band Soul Kitchen, lead by Trumpet Man, Rick Hammett.
“Glorious vocals...” - The Boston Globe
“...Visceral power.... impresses by not trying to impress.”
-Northeast Performer
“The effulgent Hall has a rich commanding voice and the
stage presence of an old soul of jazz.” -Boston Globe
“Hall's vocals soar...her range of vocal ability goes from soft and understated
to powerful an heartfelt. ” - Jazz Reviews.com
"...Her voice is supple and she uses phrasing to bring out the emotional
strength of the lyrics... Hall makes the lyric jump and sit up with her vocal
acrobatics.” -All About Jazz
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hi april,thank you,you have very nice music,happy evening,hug,ligia
