Back in 1997, I began writing some material to release for my first album project. It was slow going and very educational for me in terms of learning the technical aspects of recording and lerning to perform funk/jazz on the violin etc.. The result was a bit raw but cohesive. Give a listen and let me know what you think! For me the key thing was the exercise, the learning curve for this release and the over all experience in the music business (both creatively and in terms of the business aspects).

Darrell

If you'll ask someone to define jazz, it will take time to blurt out some words that will define this genre of music. It was a slang term of uncertain derivation. Many attempts to define jazz from a non-jazz point of view but it bacame useless. Lots of research paper derived from Europen music history has been made to give a concrete definition and explanation of jazz but it all failed. 

But I think, jazz is something that people enjoy listening to. Because of its uniqueness and calmness that it gives, people continue to love it. Lately, I just realize that I like jazz. Before, I just ignore it because my favorite genre, really, is rock. I don't know when did it happen that I fell inlove with jazz.

It's a SOP for me to write essays or blogs whenever I like something. To express what I think about that certain thing or explain why I like that. It's like talking to somebody, telling the world, "Hey, I love this". Jazz relaxes my mind whenever I have an emotional disturbances. It gives a peaceful environment. Particularly, I like Soul jazz and Ska jazz.

Female jazz artists have always held a type of mystic, but recently, we`ve seen more and more talented artists coming onto the jazz music scene. These days, you have a great selection of women jazz artists to choose from, some more impressive than others.

Silje Nergaard is a talented young woman who started out as a pop artist in Norway, but she has turned completely to the jazz genre now. She`s worked with Pat Metheny and has produced eleven albums, including a compilation album. With hits like Keep on Backing Losers, Silje has made it out of the Norwegian market and is now popular around the world, a true accomplishment.

Another accomplished jazz singer and pianist is Diana Krall. Her contralto vocals have earned this Canadian woman a place among the top female jazz artists of our time. She has been playing the piano since the age of four and studied with Jimmy Rowles in LA. Her career includes many Grammy Awards, including Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2007. She lives with her husband, Elvis Costello and their twin sons in New York.

Bebel Gilberto has been providing jazz vocals since she was a young girl in Rio de Janiero. Though born in New York, she grew up in Brazil, where she received many opportunities to sing with her mother, Miùcha, as well as with other artists of the country. Her third album, Tanto Tempo, sold over one million copies around the world and was her first truly international album. Since then, she has gone on to make two more albums and several remixes.

Our fourth woman jazz artist has seven albums, including one that is scheduled for release in 2009, and two DVDs under her belt. Jane Monheit is another child prodigy who began to sing professionally in high school. She`s worked with the likes of Michael Bublè and Terence Blanchard and has performed jazz concerts around the world, in addition to recording her studio albums. She currently resides in New York.

Women jazz artists are really coming into their own these days. While many have been singing or performing since they were fairly young, there are a good number that have more recently discovered their talent. As you can see, these female artists come from a wide variety of backgrounds and even countries, yet their music touches hearts around the world.