WASHINGTON POST REVIEW:
JOANNA PASCALE"Through My Eyes"Stiletto
JOANNA PASCALE isn't the sort of jazz vocalist who draws attention to herself at the expense of a lyric. As "Through My Eyes" illustrates, she also doesn't settle for songs whose words don't deserve the attention.
Based in Philadelphia, Pascale specializes in quietly alluring interpretations of vintage pop and jazz tunes that sometimes bring to mind one of her vocal role models: Shirley Horn. Unhurried, unfussy and frequently blues-tinted, Pascale's style also suggests the influence of horn players, especially when she prolongs a phrase for telling effect. But her real gift is storytelling, not improvisation, and she puts that talent to splendid use, beginning with a delightfully lazy and fresh take on "Wouldn't It Be Loverly."
Some of the album's standout tracks are lesser-known ballads, such as "Blue Gardenia" and "When I Grow Too Old to Dream." The former benefits from the soulful pairing of pianist Andrew Adair and saxophonist Tim Warfield, while the latter evolves into a bright, strutting album coda. Even so, none of the quartet arrangements that prominently feature Pascale and Warfield is more enjoyable than a hushed and ruminative interpretation of Johnny Mercer's "P.S. I Love You."
-- Mike Joyce
“When I happen on a new discovery, I just can’t wait to shout out my secret to the world. From seemingly nowhere comes…Joanna…and I’m absolutely like putty in her able hands.” – Dan Singer, New York
Since emerging onto Philadelphia’s jazz scene, Pascale has established herself as a compelling and skilled vocalist. “Joanna is a highly sophisticated singer,” claims Philadelphia Metro. She has a working repertoire of over four hundred songs and has appeared at some of Philadelphia’s premiere jazz venues including the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and Zanzibar Blue. In May of ’06, Pascale and her qunitet was selected to perform every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings at Loews Hotel, plus she has appeared with internationally touring, Philadelphia jazz giants such as trumpeter and Director of Jazz Studies at Temple University, Terell Stafford; sax pyrotechnic and New York Times critic’s rave, Tim Warfield; former Dizzy Gillespie drummer, Mickey Roker, and others. In June of ’06, Pascale received an invitation to perform in Hong Kong. She was one of only thirty-five new artists selected for the Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour roster in August, 2006.
Joanna’s latest album, When Lights Are Low, showcases her approach to the timeless standards of American music. The album features Stafford on trumpet, former Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra pianist, Farid Barron; Gary Moran, piano; former Joey DeFrancesco guitarist, Craig Ebner; collaborator and frequent musical partner, Madison Rast, bass; and peripatetic drummer, Byron Landham.
According to All Music Guide, “She not only has solid vocal chops; she has soul.” This and other accolades helped nudge Pascale back to the studio a brand-new recording project scheduled for a winter, 2008 release entitled, Through My Eyes.
On top of a busy performing and recording schedule, Pascale is a member of the vocal faculty at Temple University.
Pascale began her musical education as a listener. “I gravitated to Billie Holiday, Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan, and Nat King Cole albums,” recalls Pascale. “I memorized these songs as if they were a part of my generation’s popular music.” Her love for jazz voice eventually took her to Philadelphia’s Performing Arts High School, where she began to develop her uncommonly large catalog of jazz standards, and then to Temple University where she studied music with Stafford and Max Jazz recording artist, Bruce Barth.
“When I started going to jam sessions, singers would always perform the same couple of songs,” stated Pascale. “It would amaze me that gems like Serenade in Blue or Once In a While, for example, would fall through the cracks. I made it my mission to learn under performed standards, and to search for other songs that I felt should be remembered.”
What really sets Pascale apart from other vocalists, though, is not just her repertoire, but also her musicianship. She has gained the admiration of Philadelphia’s most prominent musicians. “Joanna has her own style,” stated legendary saxophonist Robert ‘Bootsie’ Barnes. “She has been influenced as have all young ‘song birds’, but once you hear Joanna you’ll know it’s her. Copycats don’t last, but Joanna will be around for a long time. You get this feeling like she’s out there singing only to you.”
Joanna,
What a pleasure playing for you! Not only do you deliver style and elegance when you sing, you're a statuesque beauty in front of the mic....not a tough combination to take! LOL...
I hope you and madison will come to my studio to record someday...it's changed a bit since he was here with miss justine....
Regards
Marty Mellinger
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Hey Joanna, How are you? Its been a minute. The new music sounds great! Keep up the good work and much continued success in all your endeavors either personal or professional. See ya soon! -donn
ciao Joanna great jazz here... amazing voice nice meet you, welcome! & when you have a goodtime relaxin and enjoy listen to my piano solo improvisations or afrojazz tunes... byby lovely Pampa
