The Sounds of Kathleen Grace

Who is Kathleen Grace? Well- -I had the pleasure of meeting her in Austin last year with an introduction from the legendary music journalist Chris Morris who had just at that time in March left his position at The Hollywood Reporter. Anyway- that chance meeting led us to keeping in touch and I helped with suggestions for her NY Debut– where to play- what would be the best venues and Voila! She’s coming to THE LIVING ROOM-- great choice!

So Kathleen Grace- singer songwriter in a jazz vein but delivering vocals in a beautiful and sultry popular way- is bringing her talents and showcasing them on Wednesday, October 24th at The Living Room.

Thus- making her NY Debut!

I hope to see you all out to support.

Kathleen Grace hails from Tucson, AZ and wails in L.A. What happens when a lover of Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell gets a jazz education? The answer is found in the award-winning music of Kathleen Grace. Her repertoire can be compared to the work of Madeleine Peyroux, Bill Frisel and Tierney Sutton. This cool-toned vocalist was awarded the Jazz Ahead residency at the famed Kennedy Center where she began her path as composer as well as singer. Savor Kathleen Grace and her “lyric tone of haunting beauty.”

Kathleen Grace – Press Quotes

“One of the most interesting newcomers on the American scene, Arizona-bred Kathleen Grace made her recording debut just two years ago, with the impressive Sunrise. Now, with a new band …Grace kicks it up a notch with this wide-ranging assortment of covers and originals that amplify her genre-blurring dexterity. Hers is a crisp, cool sort of Jo Stafford-meets-Jane Monheit vibe that’s as well suited to a sparkling, sun-dappled spin through “I’ll Be Seeing You” as it is to the gently countrified, rigors-of-the-road lament “I Return to You,” featuring Grace’s lyric fitted to Pat Metheny’s “Travels.” Equally intriguing are her “Sunrise, Sunset,” shot through with a vague hint of sinister mystery, and a “Surrey With the Fringe on Top” that’s at once as bouncy as an Oklahoma back road and as sleekly propulsive as a racing bike…Songbird (is) (named for an original Grace-Smith composition that is Joni Mitchell good)…The airwaves should be full of Grace.”
–Christopher Louden, JazzTimes, May 2007

“After a glowing recommendation from Chris Vognar, I decided to make a getaway to the Elephant Room Friday night. I got there just in time to see the Kathleen Grace Band. The music was absolutely lovely. I kept trying to think of a word to describe the Los Angeles jazz vocalist whose voice is mellow and pure. The title of her new CD captured the description perfectly: Songbird.”
–Tracy Brown, Dallas Morning News, SXSW: Best of Blog, March 18th, 2007

“Kathleen Grace hails from Tucson Ariz and she wails in Los Angeles. She boasts a three-octave voice and her self-released debut album derserves a wider audience – so major labels, step up.”
–Hervey Siders, JazzTimes, August 2006

2006 Blue Chip Award Winner, Vocal Jazz Category
– Herb Wong, International Association for Jazz Education Journal, April 2006

“captivating voice” KJAZZ Recommends , April 2006
– Scott Willis, Music Director, KKJZ 88.1

Number 5 on the top recordings of the year
– Michael Burman, KSCM Jazz 91.1FM

“The City of Angels has favored us with another wonderful home-grown vocalist. Cool-toned vocalist Kathleen Grace gives a shining debut on Sunrise… Dreamy and mournful on a sparse “Softly as in a morning sunrise,” Grace’s voice is as luminescent as a clarinet in the chalumeau register… With enough clever detours on this well crafted and arranged CD, Grace has put Sunrise up for debut of the year.”
– George Harris, All About Jazz LA/SF/Chicago

“Grace personalizes a song with subtlety and nuance… She never feels the need to show off for the sake of showing off, choosing instead to get inside each song and find both the meaning of the lyric and the improvisational possibilities inherent in the melody… her reinvention of Paul McCartney’s”Blackbird” gently but effectively makes the case for its inclusion in the jazz repertoire. Sunrise is one of those albums that gets better and better with each listen. Kathleen Grace is my pick for Best New Jazz Artist of 2005.”
– Jim Newsom, Portfolio Weekly

“The fresh new face on the Pacific Coast, Kathleen Grace presents her new album Sunrise… the beautiful vocal stylings of Kathleen Grace include the Beatles’ Blackbird, Cool from West Side Story, Bob Dorough’s Small Day and Wayne Shorter’s Armageddon. Her hip, jazzy, adventurous phrasing brings a personal touch to these ambitious pieces.
– Kiyomi Takada, Record Collector Magazine JAPAN

“… a good representation of why she has been garnering a lot of positive critical acclaim. I sensed the kind of cool warmth that was a hallmark of one of the best of all jazz influenced vocalists, Irene Kral. “
– Joeseph Lang, Jersey Jazz

http://www.kathleengrace.com

http://www.myspace.com/kathleengrace

Ode to Prokrastinating & Packing!

*It’s jus another manic monday* and on top of feelin that monday rush I am definitely feelin overwhelmed with a sudden urgency to take on the world with all my errands….well, not quite. Here I am workin at my corporate job staring at my checklist thinkin, “you’re such a retard for prokrastinating…” lol

So here goes:

- Go to Radio Shack for Int’l plugs (I tried doing this on my lunch break apparently they didn’t have Middle East plugs in stock) These are the three circular insert plugs.

- Go to T-Mobile to get Int’l service (I tried doing this at lunch too but ran outta time)

- Go to Target to get travel essentials (Ladies….enough said)

- Pick up video camera from Trisha (thank God for friends)

- Pick up my *Karina* banner from the studio

- Hair appointment for *rock star hair* This is wednesday but I had to include it’s on my to-do list.

- Pick up my prescription (don’t ask)

- Nail appointment (I’m afraid I won’t get a proper refill while I’m away – what can I say, I’m a girly girl ;p)

- Pick up my laptop! (the last time I tried to do this I was overwhelmed with my options)

- Pick up extra monitors for the band

- Pay off my speeding ticket so I don’t go to jail when I get back

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST…

- PACK!!!

I despise my prokrastination but I do work well under pressure. It’s easier to pack at the end anyway…

Am I leaving anything out!?? Any suggestions??

Help ya girl out…send me a line…

A Marvellous Ready Made on A Time Less Face

What up all- i just wanted to share with you one of the most exciting
artist’s I’ve come across in while. Crosby is a surrealist MC
(rhythmic expressionist), clock maker and clothing designer, born and
raised on the lower east side (which he calls the “Lower East
Village”). Crosby was inspired by a surrealist class he took at
Purchase college (where he is currently a student) and was inspired to
make clocks with a time piece in the eye of the face, inspired by
Salvador Dali. Crosby put up 12 clocks at his first ever art show at
his school this past April and sold out all of his clocks. With more
orders on the way and a very hooked up “Clockwork Cros” myspace page
where you can directly purchase the clocks, Crosby is doing his thang
merging Hip Hop with High-brow art. Each set of clocks is a limited
edition where he only makes 20-25 of each clock, he makes each clock
by hand- they are all one of a kind. Crosby is a hybrid artist, with a
golden concept and excellent execution- this kids going somewhere-
keep a look out.

check him out Here

much love,

Mizzity Metroooo

Don’t be late!

R.I.P Mark Weinstein

Wow- I learned of Mark Weinstein’s sudden death a couple weeks ago at lunch with my long time friend/associate Brian Brater(http://www.rawkus.com). He used to work at RnR Freelance. Mark’s video promotion company. RNR catered to all the hot video outlets and practically every record label hired him. RNR had all the freshest videos -  Especially in the Urban World.   RNR broke hundreds of videos and made stars of the artists!

Mark’s reputation preceded him and I knew his name way before I even started in the industry.

He was a fabulous schmoozer, genuine and passionate about the music and a great people person. He knew how to party like the best of them and loved being out and at the ‘HOT EVENT’, The private shindig, the velvet rope, the soiree and just overall really knew how to enjoy life.

One of my dear friends- still dear to me although we never see each other yet seem to catch up on High Holy Days via e cards or phone- Sharon Steinbach- she always spoke about him dearly. They were very close and she introduced me to him a few times and then I met him just by virtue of hiring their firm RNR on a few projects back in the day when I was at EMI Records and then indie label Zero Hour. However, then the quarterback on my projects was a guy by the name of Gordon Ancis who also became quite dear to me. He’s left the business from what Sharon told me– in Real Estate and doing well.

The few times I came to the office, Mark was on a video conference call or getting that next big client and breaking a major video star.. RNR was definitely one of the first Video promotion companies and Sharon at the time was at the industry Video Magazine CVC Report which has long been defunct.

So with all this said— I’m just so sorry I never really got to know Mark other than his facade and incredible reputation and through his dear friends/colleagues.

When Brian broke the news- I couldn’t believe it and it was eerie, surreal and so sad. Life is so fragile.

I just wish I would have known about the Memorial – I heard it was really beautiful. Sad but incredible because it brought together a community of new and old friends- some who hadn’t seen each other in 10 years. In memory of his life and to pay hommage and tribute. It was a great party, great music, food, dancing, and of course his memories and commentary from people who knew him so well.

Ralph McDaniels- Video Music Box was a dear friend and thus helped produce the memorial tribute.

Below are some blog postings. His last – ironically from a cruise ship celebrating his Mother’s 80th birthday- Life seemed fabulous.

http://rapliesandvideotape.blogspot.com/2007/09/salute-to-captain-video.html

http://www.videostatic.com/vs/2007/week38/index.html

http://vettievette.wordpress.com

http://www.legacy.com/NYTimes/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=94750888

http://www.rnrfreelance.com/index2.php

This entry was inspired by Sharon Steinbach.

I wasn’t sure if should post anything but she said ‘Absolutely’.

R.I.P- Mark Weinstein

A pile of CD’s–and my upside down studio

Hey Hey Hey I have 3 stacks of new music to listen to and upload to my Itunes.  Question is when do I have the time?
I suppose now is as good as any- what better things do I have to do at 9:30PM on a Friday night.  Not as if I have a hot date.  Or do I later later:-)  One by one and may be I’ll find a diamond in the rough.

I’ve been listening to a lot of Egyptian Music lately, Indian and Moroccan.  Really digging the sound, the instruments, the vocal style and mystique of it all.

I was fortunate enough to spend time in Marakech  this year.  What a beautiful, exotic and mystical/spiritual place.     I was almost married off there.

Let me not get into details:-)

Now I’m chilling to the latest Buddha Bar comp and just finished listening to a new Rebel Crew Remix– Hot Hot stuff.

Can someone help me with these CD’s- – can someone give me a hand and be my ears!  Anyone out there?

One of my old colleagues/employees at my label back in the day- Sub Verse Music is DJ’ing down the street at Moe’s in the Fort Greene hood.  DJ OP!

I need to holla at him and give him a stack of CD’s– artists I’m working with and repping.

Ok- so he gets new

Rebel Crew,  Karina Nistal, Melissa Young, Maya Azucena, Heston.  and a couple other surprises.

  

I’m going to get my adorable cats to help me out.

Say hi to Tana and Chino

Lyricist Lounge and The Fam!

Come on out this Sunday- come party with us– we’re a cool gang of folks and bringing you something to celebrate– come on it’s Tony Touch and Kenny Parker for damn sake!
Sunday, October 7, 2007

Come & Celebrate the beginning of Autumn with:

Danny Castro (Lyricist Lounge), Voodoo Ray (Sweet Tooth/Deja Vu), Rich Nice (Track Masters),
Daud (Coup d’etat), Al & L.A (Brooklyn Circus), Netic (Game Rebellion), Wise Dred (D.I.T.R/E.O.M),
Yaz & Yushi Pesu (Old Souls), Fiona Bloom (The Bloom Effect) & So Live! Arts Movement,
Maryam (Sweet Tooth), Bezo (XXL & King Mag), Brandon (Azul Scott Clothing) & Kiser

For our Columbus Who? Bash!

2 floors of fun!!! (playing all classic SOUL, R&B, Funk, House, Reggae, Soca, Salsa & Hip-Hop)
Music By: DJ Kenny Parker (Boogie Down Productions) -Upstairs
DJ Trauma (Alador & Smith) *Reggae* -Upstairs
DJ Tony Touch (Rocksteady/Shady 45/Sirius Radio) -Downstairs

@ Mannahatta
316 Bowery (corner of Bowery & Bleeker)

Take 6 train to Bleecker St. or F,V,D or B to Broadway Lafayette

Doors @ 9pm

$10 if your on a list (List closes @ 2am)

21 & over

Ladies come sexy, Gentlemen come stylish & presentable.
We serve the right to be selective so No bums or losers allowed!!!

Melissa Young in the house!

Reporting from the W.Coast I hear the shows are smashing.

Last night with Rahsaan Patterson and at the reputable Fly Poet Showcase…Thanks John Hansley.

Now she’s off with Dwele– check it out.

Sacramento tonight at Hard Rock Cafe

Tomorrow in Oakland- Kimball’s Carnival

Sunday night in San Diego at On Broadway Events Center

It’s going to be great

http://www.melissayoungmusic.com

Rolling Out article out today.

Check it

Melissa Young in Rolling Out

Dwele shows

Who is Karina Nistal!??

Hello to all Bloom Effect readers! I’m writing to introduce myself…my name is Karina Nistal. I’m an artist/entertainer based in Houston, TX representin the world-famous Rebel Crew.
Fiona B. has invited me to add to her awwwready fun and informative blog! I’m super excited about that cause ya girl has a lot to say!

Next week I’m doing the most exciting and meaningful thing I’ve ever done in my life. I will be traveling to entertain the troops overseas in the Middle East. So I will be giving you all a play-by-play on what’s goin on in my world from the people to the shows and the culture. I am *really* stoked about the entire experience and look forward to sharing it with you all.
Please feel free to check me out at www.karinanistal.com

Mad L.O.V.E. 2u all!

Miz Metro Howl Festival madness (part one)

Mizzity Metro here, making my debut blog on The Bloom Effect!!! To kick it off I would like share my experience at this years HOWL festival (held in Tompkins Sq.Park), I was lucky enough to have 3 performances in two days- a hell of an adventure to say the least. For those of you who know me, you’ve hopefully : ) heard of my Urban Gypsy Circus parties- which I call “interactive, multi-media, live music, trash art gallery parties.” One of the most integral parts of UGC is the visual projections produced and spun by Dr.Robotto and Girl Friday of Room404 media. So naturally when Urban Gypsy Circus was invited put together a show that was going up after Moby, outside on the Saturday of the Howl Fest, we were planning to incorporate visual projections. Well needless to say as determined as we were, a word of advice- visual projectors DON’T WORK IN DAYLIGHT!

So if in the following pictures your wondering what the sheet hanging from the stage is, it was supposed to be a screen for the visuals (the TV’s on the stage did look dope I must say, kudos to Room404). NE Ways- it was a kick ass show, Crosby started it off with the Willy Wonka roll onto the stage, with his cane- freestyling to a mash up of The Doors “Whisky Bar” to welcome everyone to the circus. There were groups of little girls dancing in front of the stage with their parents, oh so cute. I was accompanied by my Trashion Girls (a red hot dance duo), twas a pleasure to have them leaping and locking all around me. I’d have to say my favorite part of the day was when a 9 year old boy asked me, “Excuse me Miz, For how you get famous”, I laughed and wanted to say “I’ll let you know when I get there”, but somehow I automatically said “You work really hard, and don’t give up”-and for some reason then blurted out: “stay in school and don’t do drugs” Ha, if my HIGH-school teachers could see me now.

Live from my dorm room at Purchase college,

yours truly-

Miz Metro : P

Pictures below!! Coverage from the second howl show (the offical Howl after party) coming soon ( it was one of the craziest UGC parties to date, twas a mixed media masquerade with an a sick fashion show by Bluprint)

all photos by Avery Mcarthy

Boyfriends- who needs them

http://www.thebloomeffect.com

I think I’m going to stick out the single girl life for a while- why not- I’m having fun. I enjoy flirting, being suggestive, coquettish, seductive and sexy.

What more should a woman want?