Susan May The Rose (S-SSD 0102) A NEW SOUTHPORT RELEASE!) The beauty of the human voice, the gift to sing is like a rare flower. Susan May, at the age of twelve, becomes Southport Records... more » youngest vocalist. Her voice has been falling from the sky since the tender age of 6. She loves jazz and blues and songs that her mom and dad played around the house. A constant favorite is the music of film/pop composer Henry Mancini (tracks 4, "Bye Bye-The Peter Gunn Theme" and track 6, "Soldier In The Rain." The title track 1, "The Rose," represents the essence of her jazz sensibility and treatment of a tune. Susan May made her national television debut on the Oprah Winfrey Show, as part of the program called "The World?s Most Talented Kids," singing an excerpt from her CD, "Feelin? Good." Don?t let the novelty of youth fool you. Susan bears witness to the emotional demands of her music. She has assembled a team of Chicago based musicians that include arranger Bobby Schiff on piano (toured with Patti LaBelle), and trumpet/flugel horn ace Bobby Lewis (countless sessions that include Curtis Mayfield and Peggy Lee). The music of Susan May can be called jazz and pop and a bit of cabaret. The beauty of her youth is that it is the beginning of a life journey, and music is a part of her heart. Let?s wish her a wonderful ride.« less
Susan May The Rose (S-SSD 0102) A NEW SOUTHPORT RELEASE!) The beauty of the human voice, the gift to sing is like a rare flower. Susan May, at the age of twelve, becomes Southport Records youngest vocalist. Her voice has been falling from the sky since the tender age of 6. She loves jazz and blues and songs that her mom and dad played around the house. A constant favorite is the music of film/pop composer Henry Mancini (tracks 4, "Bye Bye-The Peter Gunn Theme" and track 6, "Soldier In The Rain." The title track 1, "The Rose," represents the essence of her jazz sensibility and treatment of a tune. Susan May made her national television debut on the Oprah Winfrey Show, as part of the program called "The World?s Most Talented Kids," singing an excerpt from her CD, "Feelin? Good." Don?t let the novelty of youth fool you. Susan bears witness to the emotional demands of her music. She has assembled a team of Chicago based musicians that include arranger Bobby Schiff on piano (toured with Patti LaBelle), and trumpet/flugel horn ace Bobby Lewis (countless sessions that include Curtis Mayfield and Peggy Lee). The music of Susan May can be called jazz and pop and a bit of cabaret. The beauty of her youth is that it is the beginning of a life journey, and music is a part of her heart. Let?s wish her a wonderful ride.
CD Reviews
An Old Soul
sytara | Sarasota, Fl United States | 11/12/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Susan May sounds like an old soul. If you like Jazz, you will love this cd. The amazing thing about her is that she is only 12. Beautiful voice!!!!"
Beyond Her Years & Beyond Words...
David A. Preiser | Tacoma, WA United States | 12/31/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Susan May Has A Beautiful, Rich & Clear Voice And Knows How To Put Over A Song!!! Listening To This 12 Year Old Sing "Blues In The Night", "As Time Goes By" Or "Embraceable You" With Such Understanding Of The Lyric & How To Convey Them Is Stunning!!! This Cd Is Wonderful From Start To Finish, The Production & Musicians Are Top Notch!!!!!Please Buy This Cd & ENJOY!!!!!"
Amazing
David A. Preiser | 01/24/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If you heard this without knowing her age, you would think she was 25 years old, or older. Fabulous voice.My only (minor) criticism is that she sounds "over-coached" in some segments of a few songs. Otherwise, a HUGE talent with a bright future. Here's hoping she does not go the way of Christine Aguilera or Britney Spears..."
Imagine how good Alicia Keyes would be if she recorded at 12
Larry Wechsler | Palm Springs, CA | 02/21/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Susan May may only be 12, but her comfort factor as a vocalist, performer is at least twice her actual age! Some people are blessed w talent.Others are blessed with intellectual curiosity and genuine exuberance. Susan has all the tools and is enjoyable to listen to and never seems like she is being pushed out on that stage. She craves performing and attacks each song like it was written with her in mind, I heard her perform a Billy Holiday classic song before she even had any knowledge of who Lady Day was. As I was driving home Ramsey Lewis was playing "God Bless the Child" on his "Legends of Jazz" weekly program. Guess what? Susan captured the pathos, the understanding, the life experience and she was only 11 and had only practiced the song with her accompaniest, Bobby Schiff, a half-dozen times. After Alicia Keyes had won 5 Grammy awards and sold millions of her first album, I was able to talk with her backstage after an appearance in Chicago. Her genuine honesty as she said to me " I take every day as one day at a time!" Susan is going to be as famous as Alicia Keyes but that of course is not her goal or the plan. But her talent must be experienced and this album is the best place to start. Did I mention that I am a Susan May fan? I am very proud to say that I am. Check her out, the recording is audiophile quality and her voice is lush and vibrant and cozy."
Great Jazz
Canadian Music Fan | Canada | 08/27/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a wonderful CD !! The song selection, musicians and overall sound is great, and Susan's voice is superb. I feel this is a wonderful addition to my Jazz collection. There were some songs that are even new to me! Pete Gunn theme was marvelous. I can't wait for the next CD."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1