With this latest offering, Eileen Howard continues to reach her listening audience with her storytelling ability by singing from the heart with her powerful, melodious voice.
Critically acclaimed jazz and blues singer/composer Eileen Howard will release her fifth CD, Big City Love, an eclectic musical tribute to love in, and for, the city, on March 31, 2016. The CD Release party will be on Sunday, April 10, from 4:30- 6:30pm at The West End Lounge, 955 West End Avenue (West End & West 107th at Broadway). Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. The album may be pre-ordered here and will also be available on CD Baby, iTunes, Amazon Music and all major download sites.
This intensely personal collection of jazz, funk and blues includes four originals composed and arranged by Howard, each a reflection on her 37 year journey of love with her husband, George Howard. Originally a transplant from Ohio, who has lived all over the world, she selected songs on the album to celebrate her adopted city of New York. Howard conceived and arranged a funky version of the classic Kander and Ebb standard, “New York, New York." Her unique arrangement of Roger and Hart’s “Manhattan," using translations of some of its words, is a tribute to the waves of immigrants who wanted to ‘take Manhattan’. Other songs include, “I’ll Take it All," a musical theater composition by up-and-coming New York composers Sam Carner and Derek Gregor. Till Now is a world premier by Nashville composer Thomas O’Connell. “Big City" and “Sunday in New York" were arranged by internationally recognized music director, composer and artist, Michael Raye, who also plays keyboard on the album and was the recording and mixing engineer.
Other talented personnel on the album include Nat Janoff on guitar, Eddy Khaimovich on bass, Darrell Smith on drums, Daniel Bennett on flute and sax, and Matthew Owens on trumpet.
Jazz Journalist, Marcia Hillman, wrote about Big City Love, “With this latest offering, Eileen Howard continues to reach her listening audience with her storytelling ability by singing from the heart with her powerful, melodious voice.” Scott Yanow, L.A. Jazz Scene, called Howard a “very appealing singer with a powerful voice and a joyful personality” and “a singer well worth discovering.” Edward Blanco said, “This lady can definitely sing up a storm with a voice that allows her to reach and hit the high notes with effortless ease...lush velvet voice. A very impressive vocal performance.” Blues Music said: “She harnesses the genre as one of those rare entertainers with the sensitivity and witty flair to deeply evoke the human sensibility.” Deejay Fritz “The Night Owl” called her “One of the most creative and swingin’ singers ever to vocalize on the local jazz scene.” And music review blog, “Wildys World” said, “Eileen Howard sings like a Diva, vamps like a Rat-Pack veteran and generally entertains like few others can...” Her 25-year career as an actress and singer has been studded with awards for musical performance and acting.
Howard previously released a live recording of her sold out “Blues Cabaret” called Blues in the Green Room, which has been praised by music reviewers, two critically acclaimed jazz CD’s, and an eclectic CD of spiritual tunes of her own composition. She has received airplay on a number of radio stations, as well as Internet stations and Pandora. For more information about Eileen Howard, visit her website.
About Michael Raye
As a musical director and conductor, Michael Raye has worked with such artists as: Gloria Gaynor, Deniece Williams, Suzette Charles, Bessye Scott, Keith David and Little Anthony and the Imperials. As a musician, he has toured extensively both nationally and internationally with an impressive array of artists including: Daryl Hall, Will Downing, Michael Bolton, Tom Browne, Suzette Charles, Deniece Williams, Phyllis Hyman and Gloria Gaynor. He has recorded with Richie Havens, John Blake and Will Downing among others. Michael has performed on Broadway in 'Bring in the Noise, Bring in the Funk' and 'It's So Nice to be Civilized.'
Television performances have included: Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Friday Night Videos, Good Morning America, CBS Good Day America, The Rosie O'Donnell Show and Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. For ABC Television, he acted in the movie 'Double Platinum' starring Diana Ross and Brandy. For more information about Michael Raye, visit http://www.michaelraye.com/
This intensely personal collection of jazz, funk and blues includes four originals composed and arranged by Howard, each a reflection on her 37 year journey of love with her husband, George Howard. Originally a transplant from Ohio, who has lived all over the world, she selected songs on the album to celebrate her adopted city of New York. Howard conceived and arranged a funky version of the classic Kander and Ebb standard, “New York, New York." Her unique arrangement of Roger and Hart’s “Manhattan," using translations of some of its words, is a tribute to the waves of immigrants who wanted to ‘take Manhattan’. Other songs include, “I’ll Take it All," a musical theater composition by up-and-coming New York composers Sam Carner and Derek Gregor. Till Now is a world premier by Nashville composer Thomas O’Connell. “Big City" and “Sunday in New York" were arranged by internationally recognized music director, composer and artist, Michael Raye, who also plays keyboard on the album and was the recording and mixing engineer.
Other talented personnel on the album include Nat Janoff on guitar, Eddy Khaimovich on bass, Darrell Smith on drums, Daniel Bennett on flute and sax, and Matthew Owens on trumpet.
Jazz Journalist, Marcia Hillman, wrote about Big City Love, “With this latest offering, Eileen Howard continues to reach her listening audience with her storytelling ability by singing from the heart with her powerful, melodious voice.” Scott Yanow, L.A. Jazz Scene, called Howard a “very appealing singer with a powerful voice and a joyful personality” and “a singer well worth discovering.” Edward Blanco said, “This lady can definitely sing up a storm with a voice that allows her to reach and hit the high notes with effortless ease...lush velvet voice. A very impressive vocal performance.” Blues Music said: “She harnesses the genre as one of those rare entertainers with the sensitivity and witty flair to deeply evoke the human sensibility.” Deejay Fritz “The Night Owl” called her “One of the most creative and swingin’ singers ever to vocalize on the local jazz scene.” And music review blog, “Wildys World” said, “Eileen Howard sings like a Diva, vamps like a Rat-Pack veteran and generally entertains like few others can...” Her 25-year career as an actress and singer has been studded with awards for musical performance and acting.
Howard previously released a live recording of her sold out “Blues Cabaret” called Blues in the Green Room, which has been praised by music reviewers, two critically acclaimed jazz CD’s, and an eclectic CD of spiritual tunes of her own composition. She has received airplay on a number of radio stations, as well as Internet stations and Pandora. For more information about Eileen Howard, visit her website.
About Michael Raye
As a musical director and conductor, Michael Raye has worked with such artists as: Gloria Gaynor, Deniece Williams, Suzette Charles, Bessye Scott, Keith David and Little Anthony and the Imperials. As a musician, he has toured extensively both nationally and internationally with an impressive array of artists including: Daryl Hall, Will Downing, Michael Bolton, Tom Browne, Suzette Charles, Deniece Williams, Phyllis Hyman and Gloria Gaynor. He has recorded with Richie Havens, John Blake and Will Downing among others. Michael has performed on Broadway in 'Bring in the Noise, Bring in the Funk' and 'It's So Nice to be Civilized.'
Television performances have included: Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Friday Night Videos, Good Morning America, CBS Good Day America, The Rosie O'Donnell Show and Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. For ABC Television, he acted in the movie 'Double Platinum' starring Diana Ross and Brandy. For more information about Michael Raye, visit http://www.michaelraye.com/
