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Ken Slavin

JAZZ CROONER EXTRAORDINAIRE!

Born in New London, Connecticut, USA, in 1961, jazz and cabaret crooner Ken Slavin grew up a military brat, attending 10 schools in seven states by the time he was 17. After graduating from high school in Alaska, he settled in his father's hometown of San Antonio, Texas, where he enrolled at St. Mary's University, one of the most respected liberal arts institutions in the Southwest, graduating with honors in 1983.

Despite being naturally drawn to the stage and deeply in love with all kinds of music, Ken put his show business aspirations on hold for several years while he pursued a successful journalism and public relations career. He finally listened to his heart and began singing professionally in 1990 at the relatively late age of 29.

Although his smooth and intimate vocal style is often favorably compared to such legendary pop singers as Frank Sinatra, Matt Monro and Tony Bennett or noted jazz vocalist Johnny Hartman, he has steadfastly followed his own musical path and has never tried to emulate anyone. He has no formal vocal training — just an exceptional ear, a God-given voice and an innate sense of how to communicate to audiences through song.

"I choose to work in the jazz and cabaret genres because they offer me the most freedom," he says.

Ken came of age in the 1970s and '80s - during the height of Disco and New Wave music - but always had a secret love affair with the music of the 1930s and '40s: the timeless jazz and pop standards of the Great American Songbook. "I was born in the wrong era," he has often commented.

He was influenced by many classic jazz and pop singers — all of whom were famous before he was born. His "music school" was his bedroom (and sometimes the shower!), where he sang along with records by Sarah Vaughan, Nat "King" Cole, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Patsy Cline, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Matt Monro, Peggy Lee, Mel Torme, Doris Day, Eydie Gorme, Bobby Darin, Jo Stafford and his longtime favorite, '50s and '60s pop superstar Connie Francis.

"People think I'm a little nutty because of how much I love Connie, especially my jazz friends," he says. "But she is an incredibly gifted and talented artist with a vast repertoire, an unforgettable stage presence and a phenomenal voice. She could sing multiple styles, including jazz. And she recorded in a total of 15 languages! If that isn't true accomplishment, I don't know what is! To this day she is one of the top 10 best-selling female artists of all time. I believe she is sadly underrated by the music industry elite." If you ever visit his home, he will gladly show you his collection of Connie Francis LPs and CDs — more than 100 in all - as well as dozens of memorabilia items. (In 2011 and 2012 he was invited to host four editions of "A Visit With Connie Francis" on Baltimore Net Radio and realized a lifelong dream of speaking with his favorite female singer of the golden age of American pop music. The programs he produced focused on her jazz/swing and foreign language contributions to the recording industry.)

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Performance / Tour

Texas Jazz Crooner Ken Slavin Makes Don’t Tell Mama Debut With Acclaimed Saloon Show, “Shaken, Not Stirred”

Texas Jazz Crooner Ken Slavin Makes Don’t Tell Mama Debut With Acclaimed Saloon Show, “Shaken, Not Stirred”

Source: Ken Slavin

The number-one male jazz singer in the home of the Alamo makes his Don’t Tell Mama debut during Tony Award Weekend with “Shaken, Not Stirred – With A Tony Twist!” Slavin’s first engagement at the legendary cabaret at 343 W. 46th Street in the heart of the Theater District will feature two shows: Friday, June 9 at 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 10 at 8 p.m. $20 plus a two-drink minimum. And there is a $5 discount for MAC members. ...

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Event

Shaken, Not Stirred: Texas Jazz Crooner Returns To Metropolitan Room With "A Saloon Jazz Mixology"

Shaken, Not Stirred: Texas Jazz Crooner Returns To Metropolitan Room With "A Saloon Jazz Mixology"

Source: Ken Slavin

The number-one male jazz singer in the home of the Alamo returns to the Big Apple the first week of the New Year for his fourth headline appearance at the popular Metropolitan Room, 34 W. 22nd Street. Ken Slavin’s new show, “Cocktails With Ken: A Saloon Jazz Mixology" is slated for Thursday, January 7, at 9:30 p.m. EST. Doors open at 9 p.m. EST. Tickets are $25, $85 and $115 and are available online at Metropolitan Room.com or by calling ...

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Performance / Tour

Ken Slavin At New York's Metropolitan Room on Saturday, Nov. 29

Ken Slavin At New York's Metropolitan Room on Saturday, Nov. 29

Source: Ken Slavin

SAN ANTONIO, TX - The number-one male jazz singer in the home of the Alamo will return to the Big Apple Thanksgiving Weekend for his third performance at the popular Metropolitan Room, 34 W. 22nd Street. His new show, “I’ve Got a Crush on New York Town,” is slated for Saturday, November 29, at 9:30 p.m. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets are $25, $85 and $115 and are available at Metropolitan Room or by calling 212-206-0440. Special discounts are ...

Event

Jazz Crooner Ken Slavin To Make New York Debut At Metropolitan Room On October 31

Jazz Crooner Ken Slavin To Make New York Debut At Metropolitan Room On October 31

Source: Ken Slavin

SAN ANTONIO, TX - The number-one male jazz singer in the home of the Alamo has been entertaining South Texas audiences and recording critically acclaimed CDs for more than 23 years. Now Ken Slavin will bring his unique sound to the Big Apple when he makes his New York City jazz cabaret debut on Thursday, October 31, at the world-famous Metropolitan Room, 34 W. 22nd Street. Show time is 7 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The show will be ...

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Recording

I'll Take Romance: Jazz Crooner Ken Slavin's Sultry Salute to Love

I'll Take Romance: Jazz Crooner Ken Slavin's Sultry Salute to Love

Source: All About Jazz

World-Class CD Features a Host of Texas Jazz Luminaries, Symphonic Strings and Timeless Tunes SAN ANTONIO - With hopes of finally breaking out regionally and nationally, the Alamo City's most popular jazz crooner has released I'll Take Romance--a tour de force of romantic jazz and pop songs showcasing his rich, expressive voice and demonstrating why he is poised to emerge as a star in the growing “neo-classical" jazz movement in America and abroad. “It has been a long time coming, ...

"Stunning... and his appearance matches his voice—it's quality... Wonderful! ...the perfect punctuation point to an enjoyable evening." —JOANNE GOOD, BBC LONDON 94.9 FM

“He doesn’t do Rat Pack. Slavin simply sings the Great American Songbook in a baritone timbre that resides somewhere between Chet Baker sweetness and Johnny Hartman’s husky silk. Ken Slavin is the most stylish, unwavering singer in town.” —HECTOR SALDANA, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

"Well worth discovering." —SCOTT YANOW, JAZZ WRITER AND HISTORIAN

SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS: "The most stylish, unwavering singer in town. Somwhere between Chet Baker sweetness and Johnny Hartman's husky silk. When it comes to crooning in the classic jazz/pop saloon style, Ken Slavin has no peers."

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

"You Gotta Have...

Self Produced
2013

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I'll Take Romance

Self Produced
2007

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The Song Is You

Self Produced
2001

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I'll Take Romance

From: I'll Take Romance
By Ken Slavin

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