Born: May 30 Primary Instrument: Vocal
Callie Cardamon is a West-Coast standards singer whose distinctive interpretations of jazz and pop standards have earned her the respect of song-lovers everywhere. Raised in the Midwest, Callie first attracted major-label attention when she was completing an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop and recording songs on the side. At the suggestion of Jovan Mrvos, then A&R at Arista Records, she moved to Nashville to hone her songwriting skills, as she worked with her co-writer and producer (and husband) Eric Rawson.
Although eventually signed to Sony CBS-New York, Callie never released her major-label debut. Instead, she landed in Los Angeles, where she and Eric started Primavera Records and released “Time and the Weather,” a serious CD of all-original material, in 1997. Despite success on indie stations, Callie stopped writing and recording for several years, having grown disenchanted with the business end of making music. During this time, Greg Michaelson, an accomplished vocalist and friend, re-introduced her to the great jazz and standards singers. Her new collection of recordings, “Easy Street” (2010), honors the great writers and singers of the mid-twentieth century.
Although Callie still writes (including the sexy “Love Jazz” on her new CD), she’s interested mainly in interpreting the American Songbook now. “The standards are archetypal songs,” she says, “and thus they have the power to speak to a broad range of listeners. That’s what interests me. I love inhabiting a song that has been alive for decades. It ensconces me in Time itself in a way no other experience has the power to do. I love that the songs have enchanted listeners for so long. It’s a privilege to sing them.”
Callie lives in Pasadena, California.
Last Updated: April 30, 2010
Callie brings to her interpretations an intimacy steeped in sensitivity, and yet she takes risks that reward even the most jaded listener. If the American Songbook is to survive, and these songs are as much a part of our cultural DNA as any other, then they are safe in these tender hands. In my more than thirty years of musical experience of working with many fine recording artists, few have given me as much joy and pleasure as Callie has and none has made me more proud to have had the opportunity to work with her.
Jovan Mrvos, formerly Columbia Records A&R Dir. & East/West Rec. VP of A&R
Callie Cardamon’s treatment of the jazz standards is refreshing to say the least. She uses her pure voice to deliver the tunes’ emotions with depth and sophistication.
Jeremy Wilson, Creator & Maintainer of www.jazzstandards.com
Cardamon's voice is as lush and seductive as any I've heard in some time. This is my needle in the haystack album of the year. Best get up with Callie and savor her classy wares. Definitely one of the most righteous debuts in recent memory. (about Callie's first CD “Time and the Weather”)
Philip Van Vleck, music journalist
As a Leader
Easy Street
Primavera Records
2010
Tracks:
1. Easy Street;
2. Dream a Little Dream;
3. When Sunny Gets Blue;
4. Let’s Do It;
5. Love Jazz;
6. Don’t Fence Me In;
7. When Lights are Low;
8. Moon River;
9. Stormy Weather;
10. Ain’t Misbehavin’;
11. I Remember Sky
Personnel: Larry Steelman: piano.
Jason Danielson: piano.
Rob Lockart: clarinet.
Eric Rawson: bass, drums
Disclaimer: All About Jazz is not responsible for the accuracy of the discographical data at the website(s) provided. If a link is no longer valid, please contact discography@allaboutjazz.com. Thank you.
