(Newswire.net May 4, 2013) Brooklyn, NY — Teri Roiger’s newest CD, Dear Abbey, is a joyous celebration of the music of American jazz singer, songwriter, and civil rights activst, Abbey Lincoln. Teri Roiger, in the liner notes of this new CD, says that “Abbey Lincoln’s music has had a profound influence on my life as a woman, singer, songwriter, lyricist, and teacher.” There are 13 songs on this CD, each one written by Abbey Lincoln, either music and lyric, or just lyrics. Ms. Roiger also states that “Lincoln’s poetry, songwriting, and unique phrasing create profoundly beautiful sounds, moods, and textures with a decidedly spiritual tone.” This evening’s music will showcase Teri Roiger and her Trio delivering one set only of songs from this CD.
Roiger’s stellar trio includes Frank Kimbrough (piano), John Menegon (bass), Steve Williams (drums) all of whom are featured on Dear Abbey.
“The brilliant pianist Frank Kimbrough is so musical and always knows how to bring out the best in my singing, which is no surprise, since the legendary vocalist & pianist Shirley Horn once said that Frank was her favorite pianist,” says Roiger,”…. and Steve Williams (drummer), who played with Shirley Horn for 15 years, will bring all his experience and his magical touch to this live concert.”
Roiger and bassist John Menegon have collaborated for the past 20 years, which is evident in their ease of musical communication, both in live performance and on recordings. “John brings his solid, swingin’ bass lines and his original arrangements to each song, which adds a very special element to Abbey’s tunes,” Roiger says. “And, because we’ve worked together for so long, John’s expansive arrangements fit the timbre and feeling of my voice perfectly.”
“These gifted musicians (and the others featured on the recording) have a deep understanding and love for Abbey’s music. I’m happy to say that their very special talents combined to reinvent tradition while rising to the occasion of Abbey’s great compositions and lyrics,” she adds.
Dear Abbey is Ms. Roiger’s third CD as a vocalist and bandleader, and she is especially passionate about this recording. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share this music with the audience at Shapeshifter Lab!.” The CD was released in September 2012 on Greg Osby’s INNER CIRCLE MUSIC label.
Osby (alto sax) and (guitarist) Mark Dziuba are also featured on the CD. Osby weaves his melodic vocabulary throughout five of Abbey’s tunes, and Dziuba brings a very special bluesy element to “Hey Lordy Mama,” a blues co-written by Ms. Lincoln and Nina Simone. The renowned record producer Brian Bacchus, who has had a long association with Blue Note Records, and many artists of note, is the producer on Dear Abbey.
“With Dear Abbey, singer Teri Roiger does something remarkable. She interprets thirteen of vocalist Abbey Lincoln’s compositions, maintaining the legendary singer’s emotive articulation and dramatic delivery, yet marking each song with her own individuality. She thus pays the ultimate homage to an innovator who blazed her own unique artistic path. Roiger’s warm contralto, like aged, fine whisky, is smooth but heady, as heard on her yearning interpretation of “Angel Face,” a ballad painted with nocturnal shades. She delivers the mixture of melancholy and joy inherent in the classic “The World Is Falling Down” with a wistful wit as her bittersweet voice floats over the swells of pianist Frank Kimbrough’s earthy tones. An imaginative musician, Roiger has assembled a band of superlative talent on Dear Abbey: the Music of Abbey Lincoln. HRAYR ATTARIAN, January 2013 (www.allaboutjazz.com)
“Renowned Hudson Valley jazz singer Teri Roiger pays tribute to the legendary Abbey Lincoln with her latest release, Dear Abbey: The Music Of Abbey Lincoln, and it’s simply spectacular. In this album, Roiger does not copy or imitate Lincoln, but interprets and reinvents her songs with respect and love. The playing here is out of this world, featuring famed bassist John Menegon, pianist Frank Kimbrough, drummer Steve Williams, Greg Osby (alto sax) and Mark Dziuba (guitar) and Roiger’s voice, itself an instrument of monumental skill, with reserved, understated passion. Roiger is a world-class singer. Fans of Lincoln will love this record, as will fans of Roiger, and fans of really, really good music”. DAVID MALACHOWSKI, Kingston Daily Freeman, April 2010
For more info on the Shapeshifter Lab:
http://www.shapeshifterlab.com
For Teri Roiger:
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White Diamond Media
Catherine Castle
201.723.4762