Home » Jazz Musicians » Carol Welsman

Carol Welsman

True to the theme of her new album, Carol Welsman’s travels these past few years have taken her everywhere from a performance in Marian McPartland’s “Friends” evening at Dizzy’s in New York to appearances such as “one of Oscar Peterson’s favorite singers” in the first of a six concert series paying tribute to the legendary pianist in Toronto. In 2011, the singer performed 18 concerts in Japan to a total of over 30,000 fans, mostly at venues holding over 2,000 people. Her gold selling Japanese only release Memories of You featured clarinetist Ken Peplowski and was voted the #1 album of 2009 by Jazz Critics Magazine.

In addition to touring extensively in Japan, Italy, Brazil, the U.S. and Canada over the last decade, Welsman had the honor of performing on “Larry King Live” for the third anniversary commemoration of 9/11 and closed the show with a moving rendition of her song “This Lullaby”—which was later recorded by pop icon Celine Dion (who released it as “Baby Close Your Eyes” on her 2004 Miracle CD). Throughout that year, a camera team followed Carol around the globe to film the career showcasing documentary “The Language of Love,” which aired across Canada on CBC three times; special guests on the project included Casto Neves, Herbie Hancock and Brazilian singer Djavan. In 2010, Welsman received a Bravofact grant to shoot a music video entitled (like her Peggy Lee album) “I Like Men,” in which she interviewed eight men who revealed their secrets about love. In addition to her success in the traditional jazz world, the singer has been a popular force in smooth jazz as well, and has won several Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards (since renamed the WAVE Awards), including Female Vocalist of the Year (2010) and Album of the Year for her self-titled Jimmy Haslip produced album in 2008.

The granddaughter of Frank S. Welsman, founder and first conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Carol Welsman’s passion for jazz led her to Boston's Berklee College of Music in the 80s, where she majored in piano performance. She later traveled to Europe, and studied voice with Christiane Legrand (sister of Michel) and, in Paris, met Romano Musumarra (producer/songwriter for Celine Dion, Pavarotti and Garou). She became the English lyricist for Musumarra’s compositions, including a two#1 hit songs in France and Sweden. Welsman co-wrote the Ray Charles 1995 recording, “Out of my Life” and the 2006 duet “You Are My Miracle” for tenor Vittorio Grigolo and Pussycat Dolls lead singer, Nicole Scherzinger. Welsman’s debut CD Lucky To Be Me received a 1996 Juno Award nomination for Best Contemporary Jazz Album and led to her being named Best Female Jazz Vocalist of the Year (1996) by Jazz Report Magazine.

Read more

Tags

5
Album Review

Carol Welsman: Dance With Me

Read "Dance With Me" reviewed by Edward Blanco


Vocalist and pianist Carol Welsman always had an affinity for Latin rhythms and often included the element in her music. In fact, producing an album where the Latin side of jazz is the main focus has been a longtime dream that she finally fulfills on Dance with Me. The music is a delightful excursion into the Latin jazz genre with arrangements that touch on boleros, salsa, cha cha cha and even calypso. One of the main highlights of the recording ...

8
Album Review

Carol Welsman: Alone Together

Read "Alone Together" reviewed by Edward Blanco


Canadian jazz pianist and vocalist Carol Welsman unveils her eleventh album as leader with the audacious Alone Together where she's never alone and altogether very spicy and splendid on vocals as well as on the keys. The album contains a superb selection of time-honored standards like Sammy Cahn's “Day By Day," Rodgers & Hammerstein's oft-recorded “It Might As Well Be Spring," Duke Ellington's classic “I Didn't Know About You" and of course, the Arthur Schwartz/Howard Dietz 1932 title song, “Alone ...

214
Album Review

Carol Welsman: The Language Of Love

Read "The Language Of Love" reviewed by Jim Santella


Carol Welsman’s love letter sends its message around the world. She sings in English, French, Italian and Portuguese on this album of treasured memories. Traces of tango, samba and bossa nova mingle casually with sensual ballads and traditional fare. Poignant arrangements of “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” and Sting’s “Every Breath You Take” sweep away the clouds and reveal a veteran vocalist with heart.

The Language Of Love is Welsman’s fifth album. Based in Toronto, and the ...

139
Album Review

Carol Welsman: Hold Me

Read "Hold Me" reviewed by John Sharpe


Spurred on no doubt by the growing popularity of the “smooth” jazz radio format, singer/pianist Carol Welsman’s latest CD is a decidedly middle-of-the-road affair. Though she’s often billed as a “jazz” singer, Hold Me contains a whole lot of “pop” and precious little jazz. Welsman floats through this 12-track collection without ever breaking a sweat, rarely displaying the vocal/piano chops she’s famous for. Hold Me is a decent easy-listening album but, as Clara Peller used to say – “Where’s the ...

Read more articles
2

Recording

6 Time Juno Nominee Internationally Acclaimed Jazz Piano/Vocalist Carol Welsman Turns To Social Media To Select Tracks For Forthcoming New Album "For You"

6 Time Juno Nominee Internationally Acclaimed Jazz Piano/Vocalist Carol Welsman Turns To Social Media To Select Tracks For Forthcoming New Album "For You"

Source: EastWest Media

In October of 2016, renowned promoter/producer Takao Ishizuka released the first solo piano/vocal album of 6-time Juno nominated jazz artist Carol Welsman in Japan. The album reached #5 on the Japan Jazz Chart, remained top 20 for four months and was the top #1 selling album for over five months at Yamano Music, Tokyo’s prominent jazz retailer. This would come as no surprise to critics and fans alike who have always praised Welsman’s piano/vocal talents. As a result of the ...

248

Recording

Savoy Jazz Releases Vocalist Carol Welsman's "Language of Love"

Savoy Jazz Releases Vocalist Carol Welsman's "Language of Love"

Source: All About Jazz

Carol Welsman is an internationally acclaimed singer and pianist whose expressive vocal stylings and dynamic stage presence have captivated audiences around the world.

Fluent in French and Italian in addition to her native English, Carol blends languages and rhythms with a versatile repertoire including swing, Latin, R & B, pop and jazz. She delivers a mix of great standards and original compositions in a style that ranges from sensuous and warm to infectiously energetic. An elegant and sophisticated performer, this ...

Primary Instrument

Vocals

Location

Los Angeles

Clinic/Workshop Information

With Carol Welsman's wealth of experience as a performer, arranger, songwriter, publisher and record label owner, the master class focus can be on any one or several of the following topics:

  • vocal technique
  • approach to jazz and pop song interpretation
  • vocal improvisation / foundation to scatting
  • arranging and re-harmonization
  • accompanying vocalists and instrumentalists
  • song writing - both music and lyrics
  • music business marketing strategies

Read more

Lura
vocals

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Dance With Me

Self Produced
2020

buy

For You

Self Produced
2017

buy

Alone Together

Self Produced
2016

buy

Journey

Justin Time Records
2012

buy

Carol Welsman

Justin Time
2007

buy

Videos

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.