A nice review of both Let's Get Lost and Live At Studios On The Park:

Several weeks ago, I was reading the Jazz Lives blog of Michael Steinman, and came across reference to a singer who had until that time escaped my attention. Her name is DAWN LAMBETH, and Steinman indicated that she had recently released a DVD of a 2011 concert that he found to be wonderful. Respecting his taste, I contacted Dawn Lambeth, and she kindly forwarded a copy to me of this concert. Well, Live at Studios on the Park (Dawn Lambeth – No Catalog Number) arrived, along with her most recent CD (see below), and it went right into my player. Lambeth is a charming presence, and one heck of a fine singer. The tunes are all classics from the Great American Songbook. The first ten tunes are performed with accompaniment from a very special pianist, Chris Dawson, with Marc Caparone on trumpet, Mike Swann on guitar and Kate Cavera on bass added for the final six selections. In both musical settings, Lambeth is a joy to hear, and the musicians enhance her artistry. The concert was filmed in one of the art galleries that comprise the Studios on the Park in Paso Robles, California, and the DVD conveys the intimacy of the setting, one almost like being at a private home. The performances are perfectly suited to the space, warm and personal. After watching the concert on the flat screen television in my living room, I had the feeling that I had actually been there as it was occurring. The best part is that I can revisit it whenever I want to do so. I am confident that you will have a similar reaction.

I related above how I discovered the fine California vocalist DAWN LAMBETH. Much of what I had to say about the performances in my review of her DVD apply to what you will hear on Let’s Get Lost (Spanish Shawl Music - 002). This 18-song program was recorded over two days. The musicians include Bob Reitmeier on clarinet, John Smith on soprano and alto saxophones, Marc Caparone on cornet and bass, Dave Caparone on trombone, Chris Dawson on piano, John Reynolds on guitar and banjo, Clint Baker on guitar and bass, and Jeff Hamilton on drums and piano, an outstanding aggregation. Most of the tunes are familiar, but not overdone classics. There are a few surprises like “If You Were Mine,” “Dream Man,” “I Wish I Were Twins” and “Let’s Misbehave.” As I listened to this disc, I thought about what singers Lambeth recalled, and three came immediately to mind, Maxine Sullivan, Rosemary Clooney and Rebecca Kilgore, not because of the sound of her voice, but because of her laid back but confident reading of the lyrics to each song, done with respect for the words, and a full understanding of the way that they should be sung to convey the lyricists’ intent. A special nod of tribute should be added toward Michael Steinman for his literate, informative and perceptive liner notes. This is a musical package of pure pleasure.

-Joe Lang, New Jersey Jazz Society's Jersey Jazz newsletter, Dec. 2012

Wow, I love it! Just the kind of thing you hope someone would write about you - Thanks so much, Joe!

Last weekend the guys and I donned our best 1930's finery and headed up to Hearst Castle for a poolside serenading as part of the premiere of "Citizen Hearst" at the SLO International Film Festival. It's hard to go up there and not day dream a bit about history of the place, I would love to have been a fly on the wall for some of those dinner parties, or better yet, the after dinner entertainment!


(Photo: Maury Phillips/Hearst Corporation)

More about the movie and the event here.

I'm just getting back into the 'swing' of things after a little maternity leave and I have to say I couldn't have asked for 2 better events with which to start the year off, the annual Dixieland Montery jazz festival and a show up at Hearst Castle.

The month began with a guest artist appearance at Jazz By the Bay, a wonderful traditional jazz & swing festival held every year in Monterey.  A big thanks to Dixieland Monterey Hot Jazz Society and band coordinator Big Mama Sue for another great festival!  This year was especially cool for me since not only did I get to perform with old friends such as the High Sierra Jazz Band, I got to share the stage with some very fine pianists I've long admired - Chris Calabrese, David Boeddinghaus, Yve Evans, and last but certainly not least, Jeff Barnhart and the Titan Hot Seven.  Don't get me wrong, I love playing and hanging out in the back of the band with a tight rhythm section, but nothing beats having a wonderful accompanist and just getting to sing!

I'm thrilled to announce that my new DVD is out. Recorded on a lovely evening last September (2011), the DVD is a live concert at Studios on the Park, a super cool artists gallery on the square in Paso Robles. Pianist Chris Dawson and I started the evening off just the 2 of us; we were joined for the 2nd half of the concert by a little quartet of Marc Caparone on cornet, Mike Swan on guitar and Katie Cavera on bass. A wonderful evening, and a great way to get back into the swing of performing after a little 'maternity break' earlier in the year. A huge thank you to everyone who came to show, Picture Stable Productions, and of course, Studios on the Park.

Here's a playlist of the videos from the show, including, Frank Loesser's "On A Slow Boat to China", Irving Berlin's "Cheek to Cheek", and one you probably haven't heard before, a little know Hoagy Carmichael song entitled "Moonburn".

You can see the entire song list and grab your own copy of the DVD over in my store.