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Vocalist Kathy Kosins to release "Vintage" on Mahogany Jazz

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On May 24, 2005 Mahogany Jazz Releases VINTAGE The New Recording from Vocalist Kathy Kosins

Featuring Aaron Goldberg, Reuben Rogers, Eric Harland, Peter Bernstein, John Ellis and Jeremy Pelt

“Kathy Kosins is one of the finest singers in the world.” Don Was, producer

“I wasn't expecting to fall in love with a new female vocal album, but I wound up staying the night.” Will Friedwald

“...Solid intonation, unwavering swing and a voice that can conjure both the girl next store and her older wiser sister.” The Chicago Reader

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Brooklyn, NY) – Vocalist Kathy Kosins, whose gutsy, infallible alto is laced with Motown soul, stands out among today’s crowded field of jazz singers. Indeed, Chicago Tribune jazz critic Howard Reich went so far as to say that Kosins possesses “one of the most alluring voices in jazz." In 2002, the Detroit native burst onto the national jazz scene with “Mood Swings.” On her new recording, “Vintage,” to be released on Mahogany Jazz on March 24, Kosins rediscovers little known songbook gems, which she places alongside a few widely known, yet unexpected tunes from outside the jazz tradition. On “Vintage,” this world-class vocalist is joined by a world-class band: pianist/arranger Aaron Goldberg, bassist Reuben Rogers, drummer Eric Harland, trumpeter/flugelhornist Jeremy Pelt, and saxophonist John Ellis.

On “Vintage,” Kathy Kosins chose rarely covered compositons by the likes of King Pleasure, Cy Coleman, Ray Brown and other prolific composers. The two-year-long project of selecting the perfect songs that comprise “Vintage” became a process journalist and vocal expert Will Friedwald likens to archaeological excavation in the disc’s liner notes. For example, “Penthouse Serenade" has been recorded little since it made the rounds of chanteuses in the 1930s. Kosins fell in love with its vision of New York City in a bye-gone era: her voice conjuring up the heavenly view from a tiny apartment’s rooftop, right down to the distant, twinkling lights of Central Park. The opening track, “Tomorrow Is Another Day," contains a rare lyric adapted to the standard “Dear Old Stockholm" by vocalese master King Pleasure. The upbeat character of its lyrics in sharp contrast with the dark, mysterious quality of its melody attracted Kosins to the song.

“Tip-Toe Gently (Through My Dreams)" had only previously been heard on Carmen McRae's obscure first album, a singer with whom Kosins shares a refreshing directness; it delights with its equally vivid imagery and playful delivery. Other highlights include the unexpected: a funky and utterly convincing jazz adaptation of the Nancy Sinatra’s hit “These Boots Were Made for Walkin’ and “Nice Girls Don’t Stay for Breakfast," a lá the sultry Julie London. On “Look Out Up There,” first recorded by June Christy in 1953 on the album “Something Cool,” and rarely heard today, Kosins absolutely shines. The tune seems written for her, as she swings hard, has a blast with the lyrics, and makes the song completely her own with this fresh and original interpretation.

“I Can’t Change You” showcases Kosin’s composing skills and reminds us that this musician’s talent runs deep. In fact, she has a remarkable 200 songs to her credit and is a six time ASCAP award winning songwriter.

Kosins garnered her first professional experience in the Motor City’s R&B and rock bands. A future in jazz was foreshadowed by her on-the-job performance; she found herself out of work on more than one occasion after not singing the cover tunes exactly as written. It was trumpeter and educator Marcus Belgrave who first turned her ear towards jazz. In the late 70s, Kosins went out on the road with electric bassist-turned-singer Michael Henderson, who had just finished a stint with Miles Davis’s electric band.

While doing society and club dates with big bands, Kosins coupled her jazz experience with studio sessions singing jingles. In the 1980s, she sang and arranged background vocals for producer Don Was of Was/Not/Was, and worked with Barrett Strong, composer of “Heard It Through the Grapevine." She made 2 popular 12" dance singles a remix of AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long" and her own “I Got the Night Off" (Sony) sending her across the country for live dates in dance halls.

She began writing with Jeff Franzel, whose tunes were sung by pop stars Taylor Dayne and Celine Dion, and eventually formed a writing partnership with April Lang. With an eye towards placing their material with jazz vocalists, Kosins began recording the team’s demos and never looked back. Stints with the JC Heard and Nelson Riddle Orchestras followed and led to a 1996 release of “All In A Dreams Work" (Schoolkids Records), an impressive debut featuring a first rate collection of nine originals and a cover of Miles' “Four.” Played by over 250 jazz stations, she reached the top 20 on the Gavin chart. Her 2002 release “Mood Swings" (Chiaroscuro Records), continues to bring her recognition and success nationwide.

In 2001, Kosins was awarded the Michigan Counsel for the Arts “Jazz Composer of the Year." She has also received grants from Michigan’s ArtServe advocacy group. Her clinics and workshops, which teach performance skills alongside business strategies for the independent artist, have been a success at colleges and universities across the United States. In addition, Kosins excels as a painter. Her abstract acrylics on canvas are influenced by the cubist paintings of the 1950s.

Critically acclaimed voice, eclectic musical palette, recipient of the 2001 Michigan council of the Arts/Artserve Michigan Jazz Composers Award, Six time ASCAP Award winning songwriter, jazz educator, and now, the release of her new recording, “Vintage,” define Kathy Kosins – a true jazz artist of the highest caliber.

For more information, to receive a press kit or to schedule an interview with Kathy Kosins, please contact Jason Byrne at Red Cat Publicity

Click on www.kathykosins.com for more information

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