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Barbara Fasano

Barbara Fasano, whose fourth CD BUSY BEING FREE (MAC Award ~ Major Recording of the Year) was released to critical acclaim ("My favorite new vocal album" — Will Friedwald, WSJ) has been hailed as one of the nation’s most stunning and soulful singers. A Resident Artist at New York's legendary Birdland Jazz Club, she returns for a February residency in 2024 with Eric Comstock (piano/vocals) and Sean Smith (bass). Recent highlights include a 2-week Residency in Italy at Monteverdi Tuscany and headlining at the Saratoga Jazz Festival & Music Mountain's Twilight Jazz Festival with her trio. For a fun live video clip, GO HERE.  Other highlights include multiple sold-out engagements at Birdland Theater, London's Pizza Express, & headlining at both Carnegie Hall & Lincoln Center. Barbara's new CD PAINTING THE TOWN drops in spring 2024.

During the COVID crisis, times were tough for all of us, including performers.  Like so many of her colleagues, Barbara streamed out the music from home.  For her series of #72andsong, GO HERE.

Frank Scheck of The New York Post proclaims, "Fasano is a gorgeous, soulful singer who has an actor’s intensity in whatever she sings." The late radio host and critic Ron Forman puts Fasano in "the top tier of today's jazz vocalists."  Whether singing a song by Joni Mitchell or Harold Arlen or Cole Porter, Fasano takes her audience on a spellbinding, emotional musical journey. Her performances and recordings have won her seven MAC awards, three New York Bistro awards, and a New York Nightlife award. Her last CDs, "Busy Being Free" and "Written In The Stars" both won MAC Awards for Record of the Year. Barbara and her husband and frequent musical partner Eric Comstock are four-time winners of the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs  MAC Award for Major Duo Artists of the Year.  Fasano and Comstock are the 2021 recipients of the Donald F. Smith award, presented by the Mabel Mercer foundation, acknowledging their "immeasurable contributions to the international world of cabaret ... and achieving a rank as preeminent jazz stylists." “Mr. Comstock and Ms. Fasano are turning the neighborhood into a hotbed of pleasure,” raves The New York Times

With Eric Comstock, she was among the last singers to headline at the Algonquin’s legendary Oak Room supper club, with their show “HELLUVA TOWN: A New York Soundtrack”, which enjoyed an acclaimed and sold-out run and continues to tour the country. The New York Times’ Stephen Holden called it “exhilarating”, singling out Fasano as a “lyrically sensitive interpreter with a special affinity for Joni Mitchell” and comparing her to another of her idols, Lena Horne — further proof of the breadth of Fasano's artistry. Their show "Shoulder Season" won unanimous raves,  & together they were again awarded the MAC Award for Major Duo Artists, as well as receiving a Broadway World nomination for Duo Show of the Year.  Their concert  "DOWNTON ABBEY ROAD: The Best of Britain", a celebration of  "American" standards that were penned across the pond, opened at Birdland Jazz Club in New York,  completed a run at the Kravis Center in Palm Beach, and has toured Provincetown, Baltimore, Binghamton, East Hampton, & headlined at the Gaslight Festival in St. Louis. Fasano and Comstock headlined in London at Pizza Express, Live at The Pheasantry, bringing "DOWNTON ABBEY ROAD"  to its exciting origins and playing to sold-out houses.

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Album Review

Barbara Fasano: Written In The Stars

Read "Written In The Stars" reviewed by Michael P. Gladstone


Singer Barbara Fasano is the real deal! In a perfect world, if this was forty years ago, Fasano could have been a world-class pop singer/star on par with Streisand.

Does this sound far-fetched? It's not, if you consider that Streisand's eponymous album (in 1963) was comprised of tunes largely from Broadway and the Great American Songbook; and that The Second Barbra Streisand Album, released during that same year, consisted of the same pattern, with five of the eleven tracks by ...

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Performance / Tour

Barbara Fasano @ Rose Hall, 11/7

Barbara Fasano @ Rose Hall, 11/7

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

BARBARA FASANO WITH JOHN DI MARTINO

THE 18TH ANNUAL NEW YORK CABARET CONVENTION SPONSORED BY THE MABEL MERCER FOUNDATION

ROSE HALL, JAZZ @ LINCOLN CENTER TIME WARNER CENTER 60th & BROADWAY ticket information: 212.980.3026

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7 @ 6PM “CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION"

with BARBARA FASANO, JOYCE BREACH, ERIC COMSTOCK, CYNTHIA CRANE, TERESE GENECCO, VALERIE LEMON, PHILLIP OFFICER, JULIE REYBURN, LUMIRI TUBO, JULIE WILSON and more ...

PRESENTATION OF THE ...

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Performance / Tour

Barbara Fasano This Friday, October 5th @ 8 & 9:30@ Enzo's Jazz

Barbara Fasano This Friday, October 5th @ 8 & 9:30@ Enzo's Jazz

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

2007 MAC Award ~ Outstanding Female Vocalist BARBARA FASANO THIS FRIDAY ~ October 5 @ 8 & 9:30 BARBARA FASANO and her trio ENZO'S JAZZ @ JOLLY HOTEL MADISON TOWERS 22 EAST 38TH STREET, NYC One of the most dramatic and soulful vocalists around and winner of three 2007 MAC Awards, BARBARA FASANO makes her debut at Enzo's, a relaxed, intimate jazz venue and the home of Italian hospitality on Madison Avenue in Murray ...

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Performance / Tour

Barbara Fasano with the John Di Martino Trio Friday, October 5 ~ Sets @ 8PM & 9:30 Enzo's Jazz Room @ Jolly Hotel Madison

Barbara Fasano with the John Di Martino Trio Friday, October 5 ~ Sets @ 8PM & 9:30 Enzo's Jazz Room @ Jolly Hotel Madison

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

BARBARA FASANO with THE JOHN DI MARTINO TRIO FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5 ~ SETS @ 8PM & 9:30 ENZO'S JAZZROOM@ JOLLY HOTEL MADISON 22 East 38 Street @ Madison Avenue / Whaler Bar Barbara Fasano, vocals John di Martino, piano Sean Smith, bass Tim Horner, percussion $15 music charge, 1 drink min. 212.802.0600 “Taste, built-in dramatic chops, the ability to manipulate ...

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Performance / Tour

Barbara Fasano Sunday, April 22nd 7PM at the Metropolitan Room

Barbara Fasano Sunday, April 22nd 7PM at the Metropolitan Room

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

BARBARA FASANO “ROUND ABOUT" with JOHN diMARTINO, piano SUNDAY, APRIL 22 @ 7pm METROPOLITAN ROOM 34 WEST 22nd STREET, NYC 212.206.0440 BARBARA FASANO “ROUND ABOUT" with JOHN diMARTINO, piano SUNDAY, APRIL 22 @ 7pm METROPOLITAN ROOM 34 WEST 22nd STREET, NYC 212.206.0440 “CHARISMATIC" THE NEW YORK SUN “DRAMATIC CHOPS" JAZZTIMES “THE REAL DEAL" ALL ABOUT JAZZ “BLUESY, JAZZY, SWINGING" PLAYBILL ...

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Performance / Tour

Barbara Fasano an Intimate Evening of Voice/Piano Duets with John Di Martino, Piano Sunday, March 18 @ 7PM at the Metropolitan Room

Barbara Fasano an Intimate Evening of Voice/Piano Duets with John Di Martino, Piano Sunday, March 18 @ 7PM at the Metropolitan Room

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

"Taste, built-in dramatic chops, the ability to manipulate time, and, above all, respect for lyrics..." --JazzTimes THE NEW YORK SUN: “a charismatic stylist who effectively channels the living spirits of the great ber-divas Lena Horne and Barbra Streisand." Barbara Fasano 2007 Back Stage Bistro Award Winner returns to Metropolitan Room in a new set ~ “ROUND ABOUT" An intimate evening ofvoice/piano duets with John di Martino, piano Sunday, March 18 @ 7pm Songs by ...

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Award / Grant

Barbara Fasano's "Written in the Stars" 2007 Bistro Awards Outstanding Recording

Barbara Fasano's "Written in the Stars" 2007 Bistro Awards Outstanding Recording

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

BARBARA FASANO'S NEW CD WRITTEN IN THE STARS has been awarded the 2007 BACK STAGE BISTRO AWARD: OUTSTANDING RECORDING

MS. FASANO IS THE RECIPIENT OF 2 PREVIOUS BACK STAGE BISTRO AWARDS: OUTSTANDING RECORDING, OUTSTANDING VOCALIST

AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED AT A GALA EVENT MONDAY, APRIL 9 @ GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB

“Barbara Fasano's musical forte is cabaret music, yet the album is fashioned with a jazz sensibility. The ensemble is led by pianist/ arranger John DiMartino, and ...

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Performance / Tour

Barbara Fasano Sunday, March 18 @ 7:00PM " Round About" the Metropolitan Room

Barbara Fasano Sunday, March 18 @ 7:00PM " Round About" the Metropolitan Room

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

BARBARA FASANO SUNDAY, MARCH 18 @ 7:00pm “ROUND ABOUT" The Metropolitan Room Hailed as one of the most stunning and soulful vocalists in the country ("a beauty to hear and behold - Daily News, “a singer of restrained but deeply felt emotion ... at once cool and sultry" - Time Out New York, “hauntingly intense and effortlessly real ... Fasano will get inside your heart and your head - St. Louis Magazine), award-winning vocalist ...

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Performance / Tour

Barbara Fasano in Concert Barnes & Noble Any Wednesday Series Series Wednesday, February 7 @ 6PM

Barbara Fasano in Concert Barnes & Noble Any Wednesday Series Series Wednesday, February 7 @ 6PM

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

2007 Nightlife Award Finalist Barbara Fasano in concert Wednesday, February 7 @ 6pm Barnes & Noble “Any Wednesday" Concert Series presents BARBARA FASANO WRITTEN IN THE STARS **FREE** Concert & CD Signing B&N, 3rd floor theater, 66th & Broadway John di Martino, piano Eric Comstock, special guest BARBARA FASANO'S “WRITTEN IN THE STARS" Reviewed by Harvey Siders, JazzTimes, November 2006 “Here's more ...

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Performance / Tour

Barbara Fasano "Written In The Stars" CD Release Celebration at the Metropolitan Room Wed., November 15 7PM

Barbara Fasano "Written In The Stars" CD Release Celebration at the Metropolitan Room Wed., November 15 7PM

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

Barbara Fasano “WRITTEN IN THE STARS" Featuring John DiMartino-piano and arrangements, Sean Smith-bass, John Hart- guitar, Tim Horner-drums, Kahlil Kwame Bell-percussion, Tim Ouimette-trumpet & flugelhorn, Joel Frahm-tenor & soprano saxophones, Eric Comstock-vocals Wed., November 15 WRITTEN IN THE STARS -- CD LAUNCH Metropolitan Room 34 West 22 St., between 5th & 6th Avenues 7:00pm $20 cover, two-drink minimum 212.206.0440 http://www.metropolitanroom.com ...

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Performance / Tour

Barbara Fasano "Written In The Stars" CD Release Celebration at the Metropolitan Room Wed., November 15 7PM

Barbara Fasano "Written In The Stars" CD Release Celebration at the Metropolitan Room Wed., November 15 7PM

Source: All About Jazz

Barbara Fasano WRITTEN IN THE STARS Featuring John DiMartino-piano and arrangements, Sean Smith-bass, John Hart- guitar, Tim Horner-drums, Kahlil Kwame Bell-percussion, Tim Ouimette-trumpet & flugelhorn, Joel Frahm-tenor & soprano saxophones, Eric Comstock-vocals

Wednesday, November 15 WRITTEN IN THE STARS CD LAUNCH Metropolitan Room 34 West 22 St. between 5th & 6th Avenues 7:00pm $20 cover, two-drink minimum 212.206.0440 ...

"Barbara Fasano breezes up onto the stage, like a gust of fresh air ... Ms. Fasano doesn't only provide knowledgable and skilled musical storytelling,she lends an air of levity, playfulness, and joy ... a treat to behold, and to hear." ~ Stephen Mosher, Broadway World

"Barbara Fasano sings with such deeply felt belief in her material that the art she practices is closer to pure expression than interpretation. Her take on 'Photographs,' in which she brings at least three levels to the song at the same time, is worth the price of the CD." — David Hajdu, music critic for The Nation

"My favorite new vocal album is Barbara Fasano's BUSY BEING FREE. Barbara puts Joni Mitchell and Jimmy Webb on a level playing field with Jerome Kern and Irving Berlin and makes them all sound equally terrific. Typically outstanding musical direction by John di Martino (and playing from reed polymath Aaron Heick and that famous cornetist "whinnying Warren" Vache) completes the package. Wonderful!" — Author and jazz critic Will Friedwald

Barbara Fasano's BUSY BEING FREE is sheer perfection.  This is a CD from a singer who has thrilled me from the first time I heard her.  She is in full command and has established herself as one of the top singers of the day." ~ David Kenney, WBAI "Everything Old Is New Again"

"Barbara Fasano is the real deal! A natural romantic interpreter... The beauty of the Arlen songs and the breathlessness of Fasano’s beautiful singing comes fully through. Each musical genre has examples of albums that demand repeated listening and appreciation... this is one of them!"
— Michael P. Gladstone, All About Jazz

"La Fasano is an excellent interpreter, as much at ease with jazz as with music having cabaret roots... the perfect interpretation of Arlen’s songs with a sophisticated voice ..."
— Vittorio Lo Conte, All About Jazz, Italia

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Primary Instrument

Vocals

Location

New York City

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

The art of song interpretation ... My life's work is about digging deep into myself to mine the experiences I've had and then bringing those experiences, those truths to a song. I love the process of discovery. And I love the joy of communicating through music. And I really love sharing what I've learned with other students and singers. In addition to directing, my work as a teacher in New York and around the country includes private coaching, workshops and master classes in the art of performance and song interpretation

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

BUSY BEING FREE

Human Child Records / Harbinger Records
2015

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Written In The Stars

Human Child Records
2006

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THE GIRLS OF SUMMER

Human Child Records
1998

buy

BARBARA FASANO

Human Child Records
1995

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Come Rain or Come Shine

From: Written In The Stars
By Barbara Fasano

Videos

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