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Carol Mennie

I began singing in the First Methodist church choir when I was ten years old. By the time I was eleven I was a featured soloist. My love of acting and singing lured me to New York City where I graduated from the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and then went on to study Shakespeare with Phillip Burton. A few years later, while on tour performing in regional theaters throughout the United States, I began singing again. In 1989 I met my husband, jazz guitarist Dom Minasi.

While maintaining a busy acting career,I appeared at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C. in "And WHEN SHE WAS BAD...." I was awarded an OOBR for my portrayal of Gloriana Powers in "CHAIN OF SUMMER VOICES." In 1989 I was featured in "FRANKIE & JOHNNY" opposite Tony Award-winner, Anthony Crivello, at the Milwaukee Rep., then on to the dual role of Lady Blues and Mrs. Beckoff in the revival of "TORCH SONG TRILOGY" in New York, where Dom (Minasi) was the Musical Director.

Dom and I have worked as a duo since 1990, performing in the most noted clubs including Birdland, Smoke and The Blue Note in New York City. During the 1999 Christmas Season we were honored to perform at the Clinton White House. In 2002 we played a concert with our septet at the Central Park Band Shell for the Parkinson's Walk which featured some great players like Patience Higgins-sax, Valery Ponomarev-trumpet, Thomas Ulrich-cello, Mike Richmond- bass, John Bollinger-drums. Dom wanted to introduce me to the public by featuring me on "'Round Midnight" with Dom Minasi's DDT +2 CD, 2003 release, "Time Will Tell". CDM released my solo debut CD "I'm Not A Sometime Thing" in October 2004.

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128
Album Review

Carol Mennie: I'm Not a Sometime Thing

Read "I'm Not a Sometime Thing" reviewed by William Grim


Jazz singing is like the Supreme Court's definition of pornography--it can't be defined, but everyone knows what it is when they see (or hear) it. Most of the time, jazz singing falls into two categories: (1) scat singing, improvisatory vocalising, or (2) cabaret, Broadway-style singing. Carol Mennie definitely falls into the latter category. Her husband and musical collaborator, Dom Minasi, on the other hand, is a gifted and technically superb jazz guitarist who, like Joe Lovano, has an excellent reputation ...

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Bailey's Bundles

Vocalists 2004

Read "Vocalists 2004" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


Carol Mennie I'm Not a Sometime Thing CDM 1004 2004Long closely associated with guitarist composer Dom Minasi, jazz vocalist Carol Mennie steps out as leader and hits one out of the park. Ms. Mennie revealed her deep alto on the recent Dom Minasi release, Time Will Tell, fashioning Monk's “'Round Midnight" into a darkly-colored ballad. Here, she steers through a collection of originals and standards, all framed by Minasi's keen freedom principle, ...

139
Album Review

Carol Mennie: I'm Not a Sometime Thing

Read "I'm Not a Sometime Thing" reviewed by Jochem van Dijk


In the jazz scene there's a lot of complaining about the current state of affairs in the vocal department, where the risk-free, nap-inducing Great American Songbook collections come rolling down the jazz volcano in thick, ubiquitous lava-waves. So, to paraphrase the tune “Who Needs You" from Carol Mennie's debut recording, I'm Not a Sometime Thing : who needs another vocal CD? This one, though, eschews the genre's clichés, and Mennie has a lot to offer. She is ...

66
Album Review

Carol Mennie: I'm Not A Sometime Thing

Read "I'm Not A Sometime Thing" reviewed by Jim Santella


The album's title track leaves little doubt that Carol Mennie represents a unique voice in jazz and blues. Her passionate interpretation comes from deep down inside as she travels the spectrum of emotional outpouring. She and her husband, guitarist Dom Minasi, have found a way to express classic standards and fresh originals from a different point of view.

An acoustic album with inventive concepts in musical arranging, I'm Not A Sometime Thing features a silky smooth alto voice, ...

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120

Technology

Carol Mennie Website Launch!

Carol Mennie Website Launch!

Source: All About Jazz

Vocalist Carol Mennie is proud to announce that her new website, designed by Jack Frisch, is up and running. Please pay us a visit at carolmennie.com! About Carol Mennie Carol Mennie began singing in the First Methodist church choir when she was ten years old. By the time she was eleven years old she was a featured soloist. Her love of acting and singing lured her to New York City where she graduated from the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic ...

101

Event

Carol Mennie/ Dom Minasi March 28 at Enzo's Jazz

Carol Mennie/ Dom Minasi March 28 at Enzo's Jazz

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services


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Performance / Tour

The Carol Mennie Quartet at Enzo's Jazz Wednesday, April 12th 8:30pm and 10:30pm

The Carol Mennie Quartet at Enzo's Jazz Wednesday, April 12th 8:30pm and 10:30pm

Source: All About Jazz

Wednesday, April 12th The Carol Mennie Quartet at Enzo's Jazz at The Jolly Hotel Madison Towers in the Whaler Bar 22 E 38th St at Madison Ave, NY. (212) 802 0600 Sets at 8:30pm and 10:30pm http://www.jollymadison.com/pdf/Enzo-schedule0306.pdf

featuring:

Vocalist Carol Mennie, Dom Minasi - guitar, Tomas Ulrich - cello, Ken Filiano - bass, and drummer Jay Rosen

“Carol Mennie's authoritative alto voice gives the ...

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Recording

Dom Minasi & Carol Mennie Double CD Release

Dom Minasi & Carol Mennie Double CD Release

Source: All About Jazz

CDM Records is Pleased to Announce the Release of Dom Minasi's Quick Response and Carol Mennie's I'm Not A Sometime Thing. Dom Minasi's Quick Response (CDM-1005) an atypical quartet featuring Dom - guitar, Mark Whitecage - alto sax, Kyle Koehler - organ and John Bollinger-drums that lunges into the 21st Century! Carol Mennie's I'm Not A Sometime Thing (CDM-1004) featuring vocalist Carol Mennie with Dom Minasi on acoustic & electric guitars. Patience Higgins - reeds, Valery Ponomarev - trumpet & ...

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