Primary Instrument: Vocal
Vocalist/songwriter Christine Capdeville's debut album VISION OF LOVE -- which includes seven original songs that she wrote - has just been released on La Cigale* Records. Vision of Love features an impressive line-up of talent including Grammy-winning Trumpeter Brian Lynch, Grammy Nominee and pianist Edsel Gomez (who also did the arrangements for most of the songs on the album); Drummer Ernesto Simpson; Bassists Howard Britz and Sergio Brandao; and percussionists Mestre Carneiro and Aryam Vazquez.
Born and raised in France, and a 15-year resident of New York City, Capdeville is already a composer and singer to be reckoned with. “My goal with this first recording project was to weave together a jazz tapestry of various music genres and create a coherent journey for the listener to enjoy,” she says. “The album is a tribute to all the jazz forms that I have studied and listened to and that have been my strongest influences: From acid jazz in my teen years, to Afro-Cuban jazz, Brazilian music, and last but not least American jazz. However, I don't consider myself an expert in any of these forms. I love to sing traditional jazz standards and improvise on them but I don't see myself as a traditional jazz vocalist. Neither am I a salsera or an artist doing traditional Brazilian music. I think my strength as an artist is that I am able to work with all these genres and create a unique form of music and expression.
NOW, LETS REWIND A BIT
New York City Jazz Vocalist/Songwriter Christine Capdeville is originally from Toulouse, France. Her first musical influence was her father, an accomplished guitarist, and music passionate. Her brother Philippe followed the father's footsteps and learned the guitar, so with two guitarists in the house, Christine's first instinct was to learn the guitar as well but she soon turned to the piano instead and then voice. Christine began her singing career when she was just 18 touring her native France with the Jo Ricci Orchestra. Only a couple years later, she decided to expand her horizons and moved to New York City to study the music she loved: Jazz. While she did not know anyone and could not afford to attend a music college, she studied voice with private teachers, joined the Jerriese Johnson Gospel Choir, and just immersed herself in the music, going to jazz clubs every night and singing at open mic gigs. The 90's in New York were marked by the beginning of a new music genre that had emerged from London, called Acid Jazz. Christine was very inspired by this form of music and regularly attended jam sessions where jazz musicians improvised on hip hop beats. It is also during that time that she started to develop her songwriting skills and her first song “Change in Your Heart” was released on the Instinct Records compilation This is Acid Jazz Volume 4. Following the debut of “Change in Your Heart,” Christine recorded many other songs but decided she needed a break to find her true voice. During that time, she explored Afro-Cuban and Brazilian music through dance and helped other artists for whom she handled the bookings.
Last Updated: March 15, 2008
”Yes it is another recording by a female singer-songwriter but wait- something is a little different is going on here. Christine Capdeville skillfully blends usual elements and emerges with something more. She has a rich, distinctive voice and a quirky original approach to lyrics… Capdeville is composer of some skills with ears and heart open to many textures” --Donald Elfman, All About Jazz.
“Well, if Bebel Gilberto was a Frenchy that had musical bloodlines without the infused royalty, you would get Capdeville. A vocalist/songwriter with a deep love of all kinds of jazz. This debut finds her taking the listener around the horn of her interests and talents. A most impressive first step and it certainly ain't no baby step”. --Chris Spector, Midwest Record
“French in the City... Christine Capdeville, releases her first album solo. “Vision of love”, a declaration of love for Jazz with Afro-Cuban and Brazilian accents”. --Gilles Le Guen, Frenchmorning.com
As a Leader
Vision of Love
La Cigale Music
2007
Tracks:
Vision of Love
You've Lost a Friend
Craving your Love
Providencia
Reverie
So Close
Chega de Saudade
Change in Your Heart
These foolish things
Personnel:
Christine Capdeville, Vocals & Composition
Edsel Gomez, Piano and arrangements
Sergio Brandao, Electric Bass
Ernesto Simpson, Drums
Brian Lynch, Trumpet & Flugel Horn
Howard Britz, Double Bass
Mestre Carneiro, Percussions
Aryam Vazquez, congas
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