Christina Watson

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Born: September 2, 1973 Primary Instrument: Vocal

Vocalist Christina Watson's impressive range appeals to music lovers from all backgrounds. She can swing on a jazz standard, interpret a ballad with mature sensitivity, and then belt out the blues and funk with attitude and a unique edge. Classically trained, she also possesses a powerful soprano voice, which is showcased by her role in the Nashville based vocal jazz quartet, 3rd Coast Vocals (www.myspace.com/3CV).

With her 2004 debut CD “All About Love,” Christina Watson caught the attention of jazz fans all around the globe, garnering reviews in publications such as Sweden’s Orkester Journalen, the world’s oldest jazz magazine. Among the tracks that received airplay, Watson’s original song Half Moon led to a collaboration with producer/songwriter Green Daniel. This latest project, entitled “A Flower Truly Blue,” features a stellar trio headed up by Carmen McRae’s former musical director/pianist Pat Coil. Bassist Craig Nelson, drummer Bob Mater, saxophonist Jeff Coffin and trombonist Oscar Utterstrom all lend their talents on this fresh, Euro-inspired jazz album. Four of the tracks are co-written originals by Daniel and Watson, including the title track.

After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music in 2001, Watson moved from Boston to Nashville. Since her arrival in Music City, Watson has performed at local jazz hot spots such as F Scott’s, Café 123 and Ellendale’s as well as at private and corporate events and concerts in the US, Sweden, France, Belgium and South Korea. During the summer of 2007, Watson performed in Sweden with her Watson Utterstrom Nordic Quintet (WUNQ) and then in China with the Middle Tennessee State University Wind Ensemble. In April of 2008 she did another tour of Sweden and Belgium with WUNQ. She has made appearances on Nashville Public Radio (WPLN FM) and at local jazz festivals in Watertown, Franklin and Germantown. Her musical talents have also earned her spots on jingles and Nashville songwriters’ demos as well as invitations to sit in with bands like New Orleans style funk brass band, halfbrass (www.halfbrass.com), and the Tower of Power tribute band, Bump City (www.myspace.com/toptribute).

Not only a performer, Watson is also currently teaching classes (vocal literature, chart writing, theory for vocalists) at the Nashville Jazz Workshop (www.nashvillejazz.org), directs a women’s a cappella choir and coaches private vocal students from her home studio. In addition to her musical education at Berklee, she holds a BA in French from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, and an MA in French Literature from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Watson is a TESL-certified instructor of English as a Second Language.

Reviews, a list of upcoming performances, music samples, and booking/teaching information are available at www.christinawatson.com. CDs are available at www.cdbaby.com/christinawatson.

Awards:

1995 BA in French from Centre College in Danville, KY. 1998 MA in French literature from University of TN, Knoxville. 2001 4-year Professional Diploma from Berklee College of Music. 2004 Semi-finalist in Fish Middleton Jazz Scholarship competition, East Coast Jazz Festival 2005 Semi-finalist in Fish Middleton Jazz Scholarship competition, East Coast Jazz Festival 2006 Performed at IAJE convention in NYC with vocal group from the Nashville Jazz Workshop

Last Updated: June 1, 2008

”I enjoyed All About Love very much. I don't think you should have a problem getting people to recognize your talent.”

-- Kevin Mahogany Jazz Vocalist

“[All About Love is] a sparkling debut... [Christina Watson's] voice is warm and seductive, like draping yourself in the soothing embrace of a snuggly blanket on a crisp fall day. ...[She's] a talented songwriter... Put her in the same league as Norah Jones and Diana Krall--she's that good, from her first scat to her last yearning note. Her fresh interpretations of songs previously recorded by others will likely draw comparisons to Eva Cassidy.”

-- A fan in Cincinnati

“Alluring...Christina Watson's striking sound, vast range and great sense of swing make her current CD All About Love a delight!”

-- Ron Wynn Nashville City Paper

“Christina Watson is a promising new talent who is blessed with a naturally pleasing voice. Her debut release, All About Love, already shows a maturity that normally comes much later in one's career.”

-- Cedric Dent Grammy Award Winner and member of internationally acclaimed vocal group Take 6

“Pitch is not a problem for Christina Watson on her debut CD. She starts with “In A Sentimental Mood” that becomes the show number for the group. After an introduction with the horns, she comes in with a fiery and quick, wordless improvisation. …. The trombonist Oscar Utterström plays a solo in a rhythmic and open style. Watson […] is technically skilled and phrases well. In the promo material I can see that she has written “Half Moon,” which is one of the better numbers. She also has a Swedish song, Lisa Nillson's “Säg det igen.” The group displays an ambitious drive throughout, which is very pleasing.”

-- Bertil Sundin Orkester Journalen”Om Jazz July / August 2005 (Translated from Swedish by Oscar Utterström)

“Thanks for sending All About Love our way. It's wonderful and will get much play here!”

-- Greg Lee Program Director WMOT 89.5 FM Murfreesboro, TN

“Actually it's all about good jazz, good musical choices, & good vocalise!! Jazz singer Christina Watson flaunts her vocal virtuosity with the tight group she has chosen to bolster her talents. There's a certain sensuous romanticism in Christina's 'giving forth' as it were which attracts us to her vocal abilities. Her enriching repertory inspires us to explore more her inventive phrasing & subtle interpretation, Go for it people!!”

-- George W. Carroll The Musicians' Ombudsman

“I have loved every minute listening to Christina Watson's All About Love album. The music community is blessed to have her and we hope we can keep her here. The vocal is stunning...the girl is beautiful...the music is wonderful. Buy the album. As a writer, you'll never make a better investment.”

-- Chuck Chellman former president of the Tennessee Jazz & Blues Society and founder/writer of international publication Parade of Stars E-news

As a Leader

A Flower Truly Blue
Right Turn Records
2008
Tracks: Lazy Afternoon; The World Is What You Make It; Half Moon; We Can Work It Out; A Flower Truly Blue; Don't Misunderstand; All Of You; A Thousand Kisses Deep; Free; All I Need Now; What Do Your Voodoo Do?
Personnel: Christina Watson: vocals. Pat Coil: piano, B3 and arrangements. Craig Nelson: bass. Bob Mater: drums. Oscar Utterstrom: trombone. Jeff Coffin: sax. Joe Gross: trumpet. Jeff Hall: vocal arrangement and bkgd vox on "The World Is What You Make It." Green Daniel: producer and B3 on "A Flower Truly Blue." Paul Hart: engineer. As a Leader

All About Love
Right Turn Records
2004
Tracks: In A Sentimental Mood; You Stole My Heart; Plus je t'embrasse; Where Or When; When We Dance; Half Moon; Quand on s'aime; Turn Out The Stars; Since I Fell For You; Waiting For The Sun; Säg det igen.
Personnel: Christina Watson: vocals. Mark Shilansky: piano. Evan Gregor: bass. Jordan Perlson: drums. Eric Byers: guitar. Oscar Utterström: trombone. Christine Fawson: trumpet. Bill Vint: sax. Special guest Walter Beasley: sax on In A Sentimental Mood.

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Primary Instrument:
Vocal

Location:
Nashville, TN

Credentials/Background:
Graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2001 with 4-year professional diploma in vocal performance. Teaches private voice lessons through various schools. Teaches group classes on vocal technique, vocal literature (composer series), chart writing for vocalists and theory for vocalists at the Nashville Jazz Workshop (www.nashvillejazz.org). Directs a women's a cappella choir. Available for lessons by appointment: christina@christinawatson.com. $40 an hour. Lessons are 1 hour or 1.5 hours long.

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Date	Venue	Ticket
Jun18	Capital Bar Arlington, TX
Jun20	Capital Bar Arlington, TX
Jun23	Sundown at Granada Dallas, TX
Jun28	Key's Lounge Fort Worth, TX
Jun29	Woodshed Fort Worth, TX
Jun30	Sundown at Granada Dallas, TX
Jul04	Fort Polk Army Base Leesville, LA

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