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Carla Helmbrecht

Grammy-nominated singer/song-writer, Carla Helmbrecht, began her love affair with music at the age of eight. A native of Wisconsin, Carla was raised in a large music- loving family and had an inherent desire for music. It was her father who introduced her to jazz, and it was not uncommon for the entire family to spend endless evenings making music. By age 13, she was singing professionally and continued her musical studies through high school and college. Early influences included Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Julie London, Shirley Horn, Nancy Wilson, and Blossom Dearie. Her dual career in music and Speech Pathology has given her a unique understanding of the balance between vocal efficiency and expression in this fragile instrument – the voice.

Carla has enjoyed living in San Francisco since 1997 – performing, recording, and teaching. She tours both nationally and internationally and has been a featured artist at special events/venues like the KXJZ Sacramento Jazz Concert Series, the cabaret production “Sassy Divas”, the San Francisco International Film Festival, the San Jose Jazz Festival, the Katy/West Houston Jazz Festival, Yoshi’s (Oakland), JZ Brats (Tokyo), the Blue Room (Kansas City), and the Fillmore Jazz Fest. She has had the great pleasure of sharing the stage with the likes of Tony Campizi, Bob Mintzer, Louie Bellson, Peter Horvath, Ernie Watts, Brad Leali, Cyrus Chestnut, Claus Raible, Alvester Garnett, and Akio Sasajima.

Her first two solo recordings with Heart Music (Austin, TX) showcased a collection of jazz standards and originals, joined by a host of world-class musicians. ONE FOR MY BABY (1994) quickly moved to a prominent position on Gavin’s Jazz Chart, featuring Clay Jenkins (trumpet), Kim Richmond (sax), Chris Seiter (trombone), and Frank Mantooth (piano and arranger). BE COOL BE KIND (2001) debuted as “the most added jazz record on radio in the nation”, and reached #8 on Gavin Jazz radio and received three Grammy nominations, featuring Ernie Watts (saxophone), Joe LaBarbara (drums), Tom Warrington (bass), Peter Horvath (piano & arranger), Clay Jenkins (trumpet), Michael Spiro (percussion), and Larry Koonse (guitar).

Carla released two recordings in partnership with guitarist Akio Sasajima. HERE’S TO LOVE (2004) featured them in a collection of jazz standards and jazz-ified pop tunes. The backing trio includes Akio (guitar), Harvie S. (bass), and Peter Horvath (piano). QUIET INTENTIONS (2012), released by Tonegold Records, features just the duo in a collection of some favorite jazz standard ballads.

Other discography includes SEEIN’ THE LIGHT… HEARIN’ THE HUB-TONES (Sea Breeze Records 1997), TRUMPOP (Steffen Kuhn 2008), and the soon-to-be-released DIVA NOVA, produced by Akira Tana, also featuring Arturo Sandoval and Branford Marsalis.

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Album Review

Carla Helmbrecht: Be Cool Be Kind

Read "Be Cool Be Kind" reviewed by Dave Nathan


Once again San Francisco is home for a fine singer. Carla Helmbrecht is a summa cum laude graduate from that school of singers who believe that in order to deliver her special message, there is no need to indulge in vocal tricks, become over emotional or even overdo dynamics by major shifts between singing loud and louder. Rather, her approach is cool, languid, laid back (as distinguished from laid out) and gently fervent.

On her second release for Heart Music ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

One For My Baby

Self Produced
2003

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Be Cool Be Kind

Self Produced
2001

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