Gabrielle Goodman is a phenomenal vocal artist, composer, and educator who recently released her third CD entitled Angel Eyes. Her new CD is a mellow blend of jazz and R&B that is sure to hold listeners spellbound. Angle Eyes features Goodmans captivating vocals with the silky smooth sounds of saxophonists Walter Beasley, and Andre Ward and singer/songwriter Armsted Christian.This follows her second release, Until We Love which appeared on the JMT/Verve label garnering critical acclaim. The sizzling tracks featured a line-up that included Christian Mcbride, Gary Bartz,Terri Lyne Carrington, Marvin Smitty Smith and many other jazz greats. Goodman enjoyed initial success with her debut CD, Travelin Light where she shared the spotlight with Tonight Show bandleader and guitarist, Kevin Eubanks along with saxophonist, Gary Thomas. Jazz lovers the worldover embraced Gabrielles sultry sound. Her subsequent performances at the Montruex and North Sea Jazz festivals were met with rave revues. And in Germany, Goodman was dubbed the "Whitney Houston of jazz".
The Philadelphia Inquirer says: She is possessed with
phenomenal vocal range and uncanny timing, not to mention rapid fire delivery.
Gabrielle has not only toured and recorded internationally with her own ensemble, she performed throughout the world providing the backing vocals for such legendary artists as Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan, Freddie Jackson, Patti Labelle, Brian Ferry, and many others. She has also shared the stage with such luminaries as Quincy Jones, Dee Dee Bridgewater,Terance Blanchard, Marcus Miller, Norman Connors and Marion Meadows just to name a few.
An Associate Professor of voice at the Berklee College Of Music, and graduate of the Peabody Conservatory, Goodman is not only well versed in jazz and popular music, but is also classically trained. She was a featured guest artist with the Boston Pops for the debut of conductor Charles Floyds gospel oratorio, Hosana. Gabrielle has also performed with the Syracuse Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony and the Tokyo based Yamayuri Symphony Orchestra.
In the R&B genre Goodmans powerful solo vocals can be heard on the Norman Connors "Passion" CD singing an amazing rendition of Minnie Ripertons Loving You and on Lonnie Liston Smiths Magic Lady CD where she is a featured vocalist on several songs. As a writer she co-penned the smash hit You Can Make The Story Right for Chaka Khan which appeared on the grammy award winning CD, The Woman I Am. But her writing credits dont stop there. She wrote the title track to Until We Love among several other songs on her Verve solo CDs. And her writing is also featured on the hip-hop prelude to Roberta Flacks recording of A Prelude To A Kiss.
Goodmans diverse musical interests come naturally. Her mother is a classical singer and her father, a jazz trombonist. In her formative years, Gabrielle was a member of both her church and high school gospel choirs and around the house she heard the music of Leontyne Price, Sarah Vaughan, John Coltrane and Miles Davis who would later praise her high notes.
Her big break came when she went on tour with Roberta Flack. Ill never forget her solo on My Funny Valentine which she performed at the Newport Jazz Festival said Flack. We were the last to go on that stormy day where a drenched crowd of 15,000 waited in a muddied field in the driving rain. Gabrielles solo came upon them like a clap of lightening. They stood, screamed, clapped, stomped and whistled for her.They gave her a standing ovation. Flack exclaimed, She is one of the best singers around today.
Stephen Isreal says in the Times Herald: Ive heard the new voice of jazz and her name is Gabrielle Goodman.
visit gabrielle at www.gabriellegoodmansings.com
Smooth jazz, R&B, classical ... Leontyne Price, Sarah Vaughan, John COltrane, Miles Davis, Whitney Houston, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Roberta Flack
