Solo Sessions Volume 1

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Brenda Earle Stokes is a rare jazz artist with a true command of both the piano and the voice. As a follow-up to her critically acclaimed 2014 studio album Right About Now, Stokes sought to challenge herself to dig deep and share the full scope of her talents in the most intimate setting possible. In her latest album Solo Sessions Volume 1, Brenda explores the rarely- recorded format of solo piano/voice, showcasing her mesmerizing fluidity as both singer and pianist. Recorded in a single four-hour session in her home- town of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, Brenda explores a wide spectrum of material, including jazz standards, original compositions and seldom-heard compositions by George Shearing and Steve Swallow. She rounds out the recording with lush jazz arrangements of songs recorded by k.d. lang, Michael McDonald and Huey Lewis, showing the full range of her musical curiosities.

Press Quotes about Solo Sessions Volume 1

“Stokes revs up on eclecticism, centering her jazz improvisation and pop-jazz adventures…shimmers with energetic scatting and cheery piano” – Downbeat Magazine

“Her touch on the ivories is rich and relaxed, with a voice filled with feeling and mixes vulnerable emotions with heat…”  – Jazz Weekly

“Stokes is very much her own woman and stamps her individuality on both her singing and her piano playing.” – Lance Liddle, Bebop Spoken Here

“When a recording is as fine as this, nothing is more welcome than seeing ‘Volume 1’ in the title…” – C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz

“A stone joy from the opening notes to the close.” – Richard Kamins, Step Tempest

“Absolutely stunning.” – One World Music (UK)

“This music speaks to artistic sophistication while addressing the quiet comforts of the medium.” – Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz

Other Goodies

Press Release / Album Artwork

Track List

  1. IF YOU NEVER COME TO ME 4:34 V. De Moraes, G. Ray, A. C. Jobim
  2.  STANDING 4:06 BrendaEarleStokes
  3. WEAVER OF DREAMS 4:47 J. Elliot, V. Young
  4. THE CONSEQUENCES OF FALLING 5:06 D’Ubaldo, Nowels, Jr, Steinberg
  5. HOW LONG HAS THAT EVENING TRAIN BEEN GONE? 5:02 L. Carr
  6. I CAN LET GO NOW 4:12 M. McDonald
  7. STRANGE MEADOWLARK 5:53 D. Brubeck and I. Brubeck
  8. THE POWER OF LOVE 4:18 J. V. Colla, C. J. Hayes, H. Lewis
  9. LADIES IN MERCEDES 4:16 S. Swallow, N. Winstone
  10. THE WALTZ 4:34 C.Tamburr,lyricsbyBrendaEarleStokes
  11. EAST OF THE SUN (WEST OF THE MOON) 4:30 B. Bowman
    TOTAL TIME 51:17

Recorded June 28, 2019, at the Sarnia Public Library in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. All arrangements by Brenda Earle Stokes (Allsheneeds Music/SOCAN). Produced by Brenda Earle Stokes Engineered, Mixed and Mastered by Adam Miner