Audrey Silver

AUDREY SILVER

Vocalist Audrey Silver consistently impresses audiences all over New York City as a warm and sensitive jazz stylist. She has become a familiar face at 55 Bar, The Cutting Room, Bargemusic, Sweet Rhythm, Cleopatra's Needle and Mannahatta. Silver’s six-month run at the The Benjamin Hotel readied her for this year's five-month engagement at Bruno Jamais Restaurant and Club. The steady stream of appearances �” including a recent performance at New York’s prestigious JVC Jazz Festival -- is a testament to her instantaneous appeal and unique approach to the American songbook.

With delicious articulation and a velveteen delivery, Audrey’s singing conveys the charms of a cozy romance�”with an added touch of mischief. Silver's ballads are understated and intelligent. Although she considers Joe Williams, Anita O'Day and Bill Evans among her major influences, Silver has also received inspiration from artists as diverse as pop diva Annie Lennox and Brazilian jazz guitarist/composer Djavan. She has learned the basics of Yoruban chanting, delved into the atonal work of classical composer Arnold Schoenberg while a chorister, and played chamber music while growing up, experiences that have all expanded her hearing and informed her approach to leading a jazz ensemble.

She studied classical piano and cello from an early age during her childhood, but also had an early love of jazz and popular song. “While other girls were hanging posters of David Cassidy in their rooms,” Silver confesses, “I was busy swooning over Fred Astaire.” She took up tap dancing and spent countless hours immersed in her dad's record collection; it was filled with Broadway musicals like The Pajama Game and Guys and Dolls. They provided an introduction to many jazz standards and ignited her passion for the form. During college, Silver founded The Higher Keys, Brown University's first co-ed jazz a cappella group; she transcribed favorites by the Mills Brothers and tried her hand at arranging. She still takes charge of the settings for her tunes.

Her interest in music led to employment in the marketing and A&R departments of CBS Masterworks (now SONY Classical) and then as the Director of Marketing for Chesky Records. She earned an MBA at Columbia Business School and also worked as an account executive for advertising giant Ogilvy & Mather before being drawn back to jazz.

In 1998, Silver began studying with vocal priestess Sheila Jordan. It was then that she first encountered Jon Raney (pianist and son of jazz great, Jimmy Raney), who encouraged her to pursue a career as a singer. He worked with her on a demo in 2000; the project included drummer Ronnie Zito whose rhythmic skills drove the bands of Woody Herman and Bobby Darin, and Jay Leonhart, a renowned bassist and chosen accompanist for Judy Garland and Tony Bennett. In addition, she has studied privately with Mark Murphy, winner of the Downbeat Readers Poll for Male Jazz Singer of the Year since 1996.

In 2003 Silver embarked on her debut recording featuring an extraordinary line-up of musicians. The project includes John Cowherd, pianist and producer for Lizz Wright, and Doug Weiss, a bassist in high demand who performs regularly with Brad Mehldau, Lizz Wright and Brian Blade. Also on the recording are drummer Gerald Cleaver, guitarist Chis Bergson, percussionist Daniel Sadownick, and David Mann on flute and saxophones.

More recently, Audrey Silver performed at the 2007 JVC Festival with pianist John Cowherd and Paul Gabrielson a bassist who for ten years performed with the Kingston Trio. Gene Lewin a drummer who tours internationally with Audra McDonald, rounded out the quartet.

In December of 2009 Audrey released her latest recording entitled “Dream Awhile”. Performing on the project are many of the players that have accompanied Audrey in New York clubs for the past several years. They include Joseph Barbato, who has toured Europe and the states playing along side luminaries such as Jeff “Tain” Watts and Jimmy Ponder, and Joe Fitzgerald, a bassist who has performed in the world’s most prominent festivals and halls ranging from Carnegie Hall and The Newport Jazz Festival to The Moscow Conservatory. Also on the project are Chris Bergson on guitar, as well as drummers Anthony Pinciotti and Todd Isler.

Audrey continues to perform in venues in and around New York City, enabling her to expand her horizons and hone her gifts as a singer, bandleader, and arranger. They have already earned her considerable praise and attention.

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