Vocalist Aimée Allen

“A mix of innocence, sultriness, and pure-toned vocal beauty” – Karl Stober, Clef NotesVocalist

Aimee Allen's voice sparkles with nuance and sensuality. The repertoire is a warm, multi-lingual brew of jazz, blues, and bossa, including Aimee's own soulful originals and memorable classics. Having spent years living and performing in Paris, Aimee is now based in New York. Her latest album, l'Inexplicable, is the fruit her trans-continental experiences and her talents as a writer, and features original compositions that blend African rhythms, Brazilian bossa, and jazz.

Aimée Allen’s intimate connection with music began as a child. Her childhood was literally scored with classic jazz, because of her mother’s intense love of the music. The influence of the jazz tradition can be heard in Aimée’s musical style and interpretation choices. But Aimée’s listeners can also hear her individual voice, nuanced and sparkling with soul and sensuality. Although she sang as a child, Aimée first began singing professionally in college. As a student at Yale University Aimée was an active member and soloist with a cappella groups performing a jazz repertoire. After graduation, Aimée lived in Paris and performed regularly in clubs and at music festivals. There, her understanding of the place of jazz in the world deepened and her interpretive style began to flourish. Aimee went on to earn law degrees from Columbia University and the Sorbonne in Paris, all the while continuing to hone her craft as a jazz vocalist. The intense relationship between the francophone audiences and Brazilian bossa nova, long one of Aimée’s musical loves, led Aimée to form Les Bossa Novices, a Paris-based group dedicated to bossa and jazz. Aimée performed frequently in and outside of Paris with Les Bossa Novices. Now, as part of New York’s jazz community, Aimée has continued to navigate traditional and modern jazz, infusing her craft with a personal and intimate style. In addition to selections from the great American songbook, Aimée sings some not-so-standards, pays homage to Brazilian bossa, and frequently includes a French lyric. Her touch is always sincere and her sound authentic. Her singular voice has garnered the love of many of the city’s best young musicians.

Albums: Aimée's new CD, l’Inexplicable, is the fruit her trans-continental experiences in music and her talents as a writer. The album is a collection of warm, soulful, jazz-pop originals blending African rhythms, Brazilian bossa, and classic American jazz. With one exception, all the selections on l’Inexplicable were written by Aimée, and each is sung in sexy, sonorous French. L’Inexplicable was released in Japan in 2008 under the independent label Vivid Sound. The album was also released under the Schubert Music label in Europe in 2008 and its release in Germany, France and Spain is slated for late 2010. On Dream, Aimée’s debut release in 2006, Aimée offers inspired interpretations of jazz standards, familiar bossa nova classics and one original composition. In keeping with her worldly experience, Dream includes vocals in English, French, and Portuguese.

Aimée performs frequently in New York City and tours internationally to music festivals and other events and venues. Aimée’s CDs are available for purchase on www.cdbaby.com and iTunes.

Please visit Aimée’s websites, http://www.aimeeallenmusic.com/ and www.myspace.com/aimeemusic, for more information.



Vocalist Marieann Meringolo

Marieann Meringolo is a native New Yorker who has been called “One of the circuit’s most powerful singers” by Time Out New York. She is an award-winning vocalist who has the natural ability to find new and inspiring ways to transform standards and make them truly her own, and at the same time master an original song as though it were a classic. This beautiful blend of vocals, intense passion and sensitive soul, makes Marieann Meringolo a true find.

Marieann thrills her audiences wherever she performs. Whether she’s singing at New York City venues such as Joe’s pub…at The Public Theater, Town Hall, Metropolitan Room, The Friars Club, The Laurie Beechman Theatre, The Rainbow Room, The Hammerstein Ballroom and Tavern On The Green, or performing on Big Stages around the country, she is an entertainer who always leaves her audience cheering for more!

New York Newsday critic John Anderson says…”The voice of Marieann Meringolo will woo you, win you and whisper in your ear.” So many others agree…in fact, she has had the honor of being the recipient of the King Features EVVY Award for “Best National Cabaret Act,” a Back Stage Bistro Award for “Outstanding Vocalist,” the New York Native Award for “Best Solo Performance,” a nomination for the GLAMA Award for “Debut Artist” most recently a Back Stage Bistro and MAC Award for “Outstanding CD” & Recording of the Year!”

Marieann can be heard on several recordings: Hold Me Close her critically acclaimed debut album, Moments featuring the songs of Frank Anthony D’Agostino, Discoveries the music of Bernie Bierman, Spiritus one of New York’s most inspirational vocal ensembles, her “Award-Winning” second solo CD: IMAGINE…IF WE ONLY HAVE LOVE (Back Stage Bistro Award & MAC Award for “Outstanding CD” & “Recording of the Year!”) Released in 2007 her “Four-Star Dazzler” – Jeff Rosen, Cabaret Scenes: Live CD/DVD Here’s To The Ladies! A Salute to Great Ladies in Song and most recently her long awaited Holiday CD In The Spirit.

Her beautiful voice continues to be heard on Radio stations and the internet around the world. Her voice has also been found playing on selected United Airlines flights as well as the Vice Presidents airplane…Air Force II and has performed live at the United Nations.

Marieann believes we are all here for a divine purpose: To share our gifts with the world…She feels very blessed to have the opportunity to do so.

www.MarieannMeringolo.com


On piano: Barry Levitt