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Libby York

LIBBY YORK is not the kind of jazz singer that needs vocal pyrotechnics to engage an audience. Whether she is singing a ballad or swinging hard on a standard, her deep connection to the lyrics and subtle improvisations on the melody convey an intimacy that makes each song feel like she is telling a story about her own life. On DREAMLAND, York’s newest recording, she once again plies her rich, expressive voice to a set of mostly lesser-done standards that highlight her ability to cut to the emotional core of a song.

DREAMLAND is York’s fifth CD as a leader and producer. The album follows Memoir (2014), Here with You (2008), Sunday in New York (2003), and Blue Gardenia (1999). Her performances and recordings have garnered raves from the international jazz press. DownBeat Magazine gave Sunday in New York four stars and said, “Stylish and cosmopolitan with a broad streak of lush life urbanity, Libby York has a sound that recalls, without any condescension or gratuitous nostalgia, the slightly world weary, been around the block ennui of post war Anita O’Day, Chris Connor and Sarah Vaughan.”

York has enchanted audiences at venues such as Mezzrow, Jazz Forum The Kitano, Waldorf Astoria and Metropolitan Room New York City, Green Mill, Jazz Showcase, Winter’s Jazz Club Chicago, venues in Los Angeles, the Netherlands, Vancouver BC and Cafe Laurent, Paris.

It’s rare for Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker contributor and author (Paris to The Moon, Through he Children’s Gate), to write liner notes. But he was so taken by York’s voice and style that he offered to write them for York’s Here with You. Gopnik enthuses: “…the miracle of jazz singing as good as this, is that a voice’s encounter with words manages not only to produce the emotion the songwriters put in but add another new emotion of the singer’s own. Cool jazz singers Anita O’Day, Chris Connor, June Christy and Julie London are subtle influences on York, but her voice is unique, with a rich, warm tone not often found. She mentions Rosemary Clooney’s comment “I’m a singer of fine songs who works with jazz musicians” as resonating with her approach. In live performance she is a true jazz singer who improvises with her phrasing and swings hard. “The in-the-moment interaction with my band members is such joy!

York is also an astute record producer and a favorite with many top jazz musicians. Over a 40-year career, she has recorded and performed around the country and around the world with jazz luminaries like John Di Martino, Warren Vaché, Russell Malone, Frank Wess, Billy Drummond, Howard Alden and many more. 

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177
Album Review

Libby York: Here With You

Read "Here With You" reviewed by Michael P. Gladstone


Chicago-born Libby York's third album, Here With You, is an expression of her jazz vocal techniques, with more than a little of Chris Connor and June Christy in her delivery. York goes right out on a limb by challenging Peggy Lee's “I Love Being Here With You" as an opener, a tune also associated with Chris Connor.

It is York's second choice, however, the rarely heard Kaye/Springer song “The Day The World Stopped Turning," that surprises. ...

289
Album Review

Libby York: Here With You

Read "Here With You" reviewed by Suzanne Lorge


Libby York has the rich, rounded kind of voice that evokes another time--a time when it was Rosemary (not George) and there were only two kinds of martini (gin or vodka). York's new CD, Here With You, covers traditional territory with a surety that gives the material renewed relevance: York feels the swing or the bossa in each moment rather than merely imitating the singers to whom she owes her style. And this presence is what sets her apart.

124
Album Review

Libby York: Sunday in New York

Read "Sunday in New York" reviewed by Elliott Simon


The selections chosen for vocalist Libby York’s new offering, Sunday in New York, find this classically cool song stylist in what seems to be familiar territory. A trio led by pianist Renee Rosnes is very comfortable with itself and includes her aptly named sidemen: drummer and husband Billy Drummond and bassist Todd Coolman. The three have no trouble navigating the potpourri of vocal standards that York skillfully delivers in a format that instills an intimate feel to material that is ...

91
Album Review

Libby York: Sunday in New York

Read "Sunday in New York" reviewed by Michael P. Gladstone


Libby York is a cabaret-type vocalist with jazz sensibilities on her second album, Sunday in New York. Released in an attractive digipak format with an A List jazz combo and a well-paced ten selections, this release should gain her some nationwide attention. Originally from Chicago, the leader relocated to New York for the 1980s and early 90s, then moved back to Chicago where she recorded her first album for Southport in 1998.

My musical introduction to Libby ...

111
Album Review

Libby York: Blue Gardenia

Read "Blue Gardenia" reviewed by Jack Bowers


First, thanks to Southport Records for resisting the temptation to have vocalist Libby York strike a seductive pose à la Diana Krall to promote Libby’s debut album, Blue Gardenia. Not much is said about York except that she’s from Chicago, started singing rather late at age 35, and logged time in New York City and Key West, Florida, before returning to her hometown. She’s a polished, smoky–voiced cabaret singer with acceptable range and articulation, but I heard nothing here that ...

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1

Event

Acclaimed Vocalist Libby York Celebrates Release Of Memoir A Personal Take On Standards From Porter To Fagen Tuesday, June 17 At Jazz Showcase In Chicago

Acclaimed Vocalist Libby York Celebrates Release Of Memoir  A Personal Take On Standards From Porter To Fagen Tuesday, June 17 At Jazz Showcase In Chicago

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

York performs with Quartet: Jeremy Kahn, Larry Kohut and Eric Schneider Acclaimed vocalist Libby York celebrates the release of Memoir on Tuesday, June 17 at Jazz Showcase, 806 South Plymouth Court, Chicago. Joining her are pianist Jeremy Kahn, bassist Larry Kohut and Eric Schneider on tenor saxophone and clarinet. Sets at 8 and 10 p.m. $10, $5 students, musicians and JIC members. Show is co-sponsored by WDCB. For more information go to jazzshowcase.com or call 312-360-0234. Libby York, like the ...

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Performance / Tour

Libby York at Zanzibar Blue Thursday, September 23rd 8:00 & 10:00pm

Libby York at Zanzibar Blue Thursday, September 23rd 8:00 & 10:00pm

Source: All About Jazz


“A jazz singer of cool composure and artful subtlety” New York Times

“Her wit and easy swing” The New Yorker

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

DreamLand

OA2 Records
2023

buy

Here With You

Self Produced
2008

buy

Blue Gardenia

Southport Records
1999

buy

Hit the Road to Dreamland

From: DreamLand
By Libby York

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