Veronika Rodriguez

STATS Rank: 12,633 Views: 1,845

Primary Instrument: Vocal

After conservatoire studies in classical singing, Veronika Rodriguez discovered jazz at the age of 16, by listening to Ella Fitzgerald. Being a fan of vocalists from the American West Coast (June Christy, Chris Connor...), she is also influenced by variety singers from the 1950's : Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee...

In esptember of 1984, Veronika met the big band conductor Jean-Philippe Vidal and became the lead vocalist of the Cote Ouest Big Band. They created together a number of performances including For the love of Ella, portrait of Ella Fitzgerald which was a huge succes, not only for the specialists of Ella Fitzgerald, but for the grand public as well.

After a US Tour, Veronika introduced a vocal quartet named The Swing Voices following the tradition of The Modernaires, Pied Pipers, Manhattan Transfer for the recording of Radio Days. She recorded 3 albums under her name, including Isn't it Romantic? which received in 1993 the award for the Best Foreign Jazz Vocal Recording in Tokyo.

She also received the Golden Microphone from the International Meetings of Jazz in Hamburg in 1996 and was discovered that same year by the Brazilian guitarist Baden Powell, who performed with her in concert.

In 1997, Harry Connick Jr personally chose Veronika to be the opening act for his performance at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

In 2005, Veronika introduced in New York her new album Paris is You at Danny's Skylight room and received the award for Best Vocal Jazz Performance of the year in Manhattan.

She regulary performs at Jazz Festivals with her quintet or with the Cote Ouest Big Band. A new CD with the big band will be released next May. “Veronika Rodriguez is one swinging, tremendously musical lady. To watch her in person is close to electrifying, as she almost trashes about the stage in an ecstasy of triple-time scatting. She sings the Great American Standards in charmingly accented english. If you could imagine Swingle Singer blended with the style of Jon Hendricks it would be Veronika. Je l'adore !” John Meyer, pianiste de Liza Minnelli, Shirley Bassey...

“Veronika Rodriguez possesses an alto voice, clear & sensual, almost without vibrato, and her interpretation of Jazz standards are always full of strong swing, without false intention whatever the tempo” Tony P. Geller, Dictionary of International Voices of Jazz

Awards:

Best Jazz Vocal Performance of the year, New York Jazz Entertainment, London Award Foreign Jazz Music, New York The Golden Microphone, Hambourg Best Jazz Vocal Recording, Tokyo

Last Updated: November 24, 2009

The most exciting show this year in New York By Joe Regan « Last night French singer Veronika Rodriguez made what has to be the most exciting show in a New York cabaret this year at Danny's Sea Palace. Presented by John Meyer, Veronika Rodriguez performed with pianist Yaron Gershovsky (music director for the Manhattan Transfer), Norbert Goldberg, on drums, John Ball on bass, and Jean-Philippe Vidal on tenor saxophone. Ms. Rodriguez, a gorgeous beauty in a Gilda like black dress with four spaghetti straps, sang to a full house. Possessing a voice with an extraordinary range, sometimes hitting some clear high notes that I thought might shatter Danny's Skylight, she sang some well known standards in rhythms that defied breathing and had her audience cheering. Starting with a version of “Lullaby of Birdland” that defied all sound bites, “It's all right with me”, “Night in Tunisia”, “Cheek to cheek”, “Les feuilles mortes”, and several other standards were presented in fresh inventive ways. Jean-Philippe Vidal matched her note for note on her scatting, calling to mind the great Cleo Laine and John Danksworth. And Rodriguez' American accent is very Keely Smith ! Yaron Gershovsky and the rest of the band did brilliant solo riffs and if you watched him closely Gershovsky was actually dancing with his feet under the piano. A full house stood at the end of the set and then Veronika came back with a mind boggling “Perdido”. Watch for any future dates in NYC in this extraordinary talent ! »

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