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Calabria Foti

Born into a family of musicians from Upstate, New York, Calabria Foti (Cah-LAH-bree-ah FOE-tee) was completely immersed in music from the very beginning. Says Ms. Foti, "As a kid I was always around some kind of music. On any given day, I could hear my mother playing Chopin Etudes in one room, while in another room my father would be playing Bach Partitas on trombone, and on another day they would be playing American Songbook standards together, like Gershwin, or Porter or Berlin, or sometimes a song they wrote. It was a great way to grow up!"

Highly trained and gifted musicians, her parents passed on amazing intrinsic musical skills to their daughter (including an incredible memory and understanding of music after only one hearing) and their deep love for music and education. "We were always going to classical concerts and jazz clubs, so consequently, I got a great deal of exposure to both sides of the "musical tracks". I have been in love with all genres of music ever since." Calabria's first instruments were jazz guitar and bass. And because of her love for classical music, she also took up the violin and became very successful, including holding positions of concertmaster and associate concertmaster in several orchestras.

By age 12, in addition to playing several instruments and seriously studying the violin, Calabria was singing and performing in nightclubs and hotels with her musician parents and their colleagues. Her parents introduced her to the music of the vocalists who would become her biggest influences: Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr, and Judy Garland. Says Ms. Foti, "I absolutely loved those singers, and the songs they performed are just so well-crafted and wonderful, and those artists made those songs their own. When I sing, I want to connect with my audience on that same emotional level, as well as on many musical levels. The artists that we remember most were not only great singers, but great performers, and great entertainers because they made that connection with the audience and made them feel good."

Apparently, she learned her lessons well, as today’s music industry giants have praised Ms. Foti’s amazing vocal talent, and her unique way of making a connection with her audience. Legendary songwriter Johnny Mandel says, "Calabria is truly a marvelous singer in every way. She has all the technique and musicality you could want, and has the ability to tell a story and touch your heart." Sarah Vaughn's arranger, Sammy Nestico says, "Calabria is the complete artist - totally lyrical, adding her own fresh approach to every song." Over and over, critics remark how she draws out the “bare essence” of a lyric, just by singing the notes with unadorned sincerity, making her songs fresh and full-faced, as if each were important news. She brings emotion, intelligence and ultra-high standards to the music, and has that rare quality of “letting you in on the little secret she seems to be keeping.”

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9
Album Review

Calabria Foti: In the Still of the Night

Read "In the Still of the Night" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello


With In the Still of the Night, vocalist Calabria Foti joins the ranks of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Oscar Peterson, and many others -vocalists and instrumentalists -who have dived deeply into the Cole Porter canon. It takes a very special talent to deftly probe the poetic and pithy romantic lingo that the Classic material offers. So, while that ocean is Trench deep, how is one to pluck new musical perspectives and give old ones a novel patina? Foti, along with ...

993
Interview

Calabria Foti: A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening

Read "Calabria Foti: A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening" reviewed by Joao Moreira dos Santos


When someone like Sammy Nestico, famous for his arrangements for the Count Basie Orchestra and Sarah Vaughan, says a lady can sing, you had better listen to her because he knows his business well: producing great songs for great singers. The truth is that Nestico could hardly be more positive about Calabria Foti--who has just released, A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening (MoCo, 2007)--saying, “Calabria is the complete artist."

Over and over, critics remark how ...

163
Album Review

Calabria Foti: When a Woman Loves a Man

Read "When a Woman Loves a Man" reviewed by Ed Kopp


Calabria Foti is a sweet, sexy vocalist who sings 10 familiar songs with sultry finesse on this romantic debut. When A Woman Loves A Man is a concept album that traces a love affair from initial exhilaration ("I Hadn’t Anyone “Til You) through passionate times ("Fever"), troubled times ("I’m Gonna Laugh You Right Out of My Life"), and finally past a breakup ("By Myself"). It’s a classy mainstream effort featuring some excellent sidemen, including Foti’s talented husband Bob McChesney (trombone) ...

158
Album Review

Calabria Foti: When A Woman Loves A Man

Read "When A Woman Loves A Man" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


Every so often we stumble upon an artist who delivers the goods while displaying star-like qualities. In some or dare we say – many instances, these artists receive the backing and financial support from giant conglomerates and their huge marketing budgets. Target marketing, sales ploys and return on investment are just ways and means of doing business while striving for that sometimes - elusive profit margin in the sky.

With that, we introduce someone who may represent somewhat of an ...

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243

Interview

Singer Calabria Foti Interviewed at AAJ

Singer Calabria Foti Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz

When someone like Sammy Nestico, famous for his arrangements for the Count Basie Orchestra and Sarah Vaughan, says a lady can sing, you had better listen to her because he knows his business well: producing great songs for great singers. The truth is that Nestico could hardly be more positive about Calabria Foti--who has just released, A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening (MoCo, 2007)--saying, “Calabria is the complete artist."

Over and over, critics remark how she draws the “bare ...

"This recording of Calabria Foti's voice is some of the most beautiful and artistic music I have ever heard." - Johnny Mathis

"Calabria is a truly marvelous singer in every way. She has the ability to tell a story and touch your heart... one of the best CDs ever." - Johnny Mandel

"Calabria is a gifted artist who puts her unique signature on each of these great standards." - Chris Botti

"When I first heard Calabria, I thought I had discovered a hidden treasure." - Jorge Calandrelli

"Calabria's voice is gorgeous, the tracks with orchestra are stunning, and the feel of the record is fantastic!." - Dave Koz

"Calabria is the complete artist - totally lyrical, adding her own fresh approach to every song." - Sammy Nestico

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

In2uition

Dash Hoffman Records
2022

buy

When A Woman Loves A...

Faccia Bella Records
2000

buy

Small Hotel

From: In2uition
By Calabria Foti

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