Born in Sweden but firmly embedded in New York, vocalist Yvonne Roome has released more than eight albums of sophisticated vintage jazz, drawing upon American, European, and Latin influences that span generations. Her latest album, the wittily titled Roome for All, is an electrifying, life-affirming album recorded live in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
Featuring the backing band Trio Balula Cid—pianist Joao Balula Cid, bassist Vasco Sousa, and drummer Urbano Oliveira—Roome for All is a collection of American jazz standards selected because of the group's affection for their material. They also find the best use for Roome's powerhouse vocal work. On their version of the Gershwins' “I've Got a Crush on You," Roome delivers the lyrics with raw, bluesy passion. There is a palpable charge in the air as Roome takes command of the song; her voice, fueled by years of experience singing as well as living, crackles with honest feeling. Many jazz singers tend to perform such well-worn staples with superficial coating, summoning the emotions which are expressed in the lyrics without actually emanating from the heart. Roome gives it her all.
Sousa's reptilian bass wraps around Roome's husky vocals on “Where or When," providing her with a snappy, swinging rhythm. “Bewitched" casts a hypnotically dark spell thanks to Roome's deep, enigmatic delivery. In “Mean to Me," Roome slyly slips in a line from the immortal “Blue Moon," while she falls into the depths of despair on “Am I Blue?" to chilling effect.
In addition to her musical career, Roome has appeared in a number of Todd Solondz' films as well as done commercials and voiceovers. She once sang for legendary bandleader Lester Lanin and received a Grammy nomination in 1997 for her version of “You're Too Dangerous, Cherie," contained on her album La Vie En Roome.
Featuring the backing band Trio Balula Cid—pianist Joao Balula Cid, bassist Vasco Sousa, and drummer Urbano Oliveira—Roome for All is a collection of American jazz standards selected because of the group's affection for their material. They also find the best use for Roome's powerhouse vocal work. On their version of the Gershwins' “I've Got a Crush on You," Roome delivers the lyrics with raw, bluesy passion. There is a palpable charge in the air as Roome takes command of the song; her voice, fueled by years of experience singing as well as living, crackles with honest feeling. Many jazz singers tend to perform such well-worn staples with superficial coating, summoning the emotions which are expressed in the lyrics without actually emanating from the heart. Roome gives it her all.
Sousa's reptilian bass wraps around Roome's husky vocals on “Where or When," providing her with a snappy, swinging rhythm. “Bewitched" casts a hypnotically dark spell thanks to Roome's deep, enigmatic delivery. In “Mean to Me," Roome slyly slips in a line from the immortal “Blue Moon," while she falls into the depths of despair on “Am I Blue?" to chilling effect.
In addition to her musical career, Roome has appeared in a number of Todd Solondz' films as well as done commercials and voiceovers. She once sang for legendary bandleader Lester Lanin and received a Grammy nomination in 1997 for her version of “You're Too Dangerous, Cherie," contained on her album La Vie En Roome.
