April Hall

April Hall

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).

.. 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.

.. Quotes “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 ..