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Chantal Chamberland
Chantal Chamberland. The very name has a lovely musical lilt to it, so perhaps music has always been the destiny of this superbly skilled jazz vocalist. It has certainly always been the life-long passion of the Montreal-raised, Dundas, Ontario-based, Chamberland, and her new CD, The Other Woman, represents the full blossoming of her prodigious artistic talent. Out now via Universal Music Canada, the disc is Chantal’s fourth solo release. Her previous albums (2002’s This Is Our Time, 2004’s Serendipity Street and 2005’s Dripping Indigo ) served notice that this was an artist to watch. They received radio play across Canada, notched rave reviews, and brought Chantal a loyal fan base in the U.S.. The Other Woman definitely ups the ante. The mandate of a great voice tackling great songs remains, while Chamberland’s decision to take a different approach to the recording pays off handsomely. She recruited acclaimed producer Danny Greenspoon (Jane Bunnett,Sophie Milman, Great Big Sea) and an A-list of Toronto jazz musicians for the sessions, and she is justifiably proud of the results. “I wanted to bring in a little more variety in terms of the instrumentation and have more of a big band feel,” Chantal explains. “As an artist, musically and vocally, I have to say this is my best album. It showcases my voice the way it should be done, and it showcases the musicians without taking over the vocals.” Chamberland and Greenspoon set up shop in The Canterbury Music Company in Toronto, alongside such stellar players as drummer Mark McLean, bassist Marc Rogers, guitarist Rob Piltch, pianist Robi Botos, organist Dennis Keldie, cellist Kevin Fox and horn players Phil Dwyer, Perry and Paul White, Guido Basso, William Carn, and Steve McDade. - There, as Chantal recalls, “Danny really challenged me. I’ve never been pushed that much before but what a difference it made overall. I refer to him as coach, one saying ‘you can do it, try one more time.’ To have a real connection with your producer makes a huge difference. I always compare it to being an actor and working with a great director.” On The Other Woman, the compelling results are equivalent to a Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese collaboration. It always helps to have a top-notch script, and Chamberland shows a deft touch in her song selections. Such much-loved jazz standards as “On The Street Where You Live” and “In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning” nestle snugly alongside French songs (“La Mer” and the bilingual “I Wish You Love”) and contemporary tunes like Sharon Washington’s “Little Wonder,” Sade’s “By Your Side,” and “All I Ask Of You” (from Phantom Of The Opera).
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Chantal Chamberland: Dripping Indigo
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by Jerry D'Souza
Chantal Chamberland has a warm, toasty voice that can light up a dark nightclub and send a glow through her audience. She makes her third recorded outing on Dripping Indigo with a generous helping of songs, most of which dwell in areas that suit her pitch and trajectory perfectly. She gives the up-tempo tunes a nice turn of fleck and dynamics, making this a fine showcase for a singer who deserves more attention.The Quebec-born singer has selected pieces ...
read moreWhy a Folk-Rocker Switched to Jazz
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Michael Ricci
It wasn't all that long ago that Chantal Chamberland was known for singing folk-rock as part of acoustic duo Open Mind. But the Quebec-born, Dundas-based chanteuse is on her fourth jazz album, The Other Woman, just nominated for three Hamilton Music Awards. Bolstered by a fine complement of local jazz musicians, such as pianist Robi Botos and trumpeter Guido Basso, the disc showcases her sultry pipes on standards such as In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" and What ...
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"Chantal Chamberland has a warm, toasty voice that can light up a dark nightclub and send a glow through her audience." - Jerry D'Souza - All About Jazz "One of the best interperters of jazz today" -Dan Cowan- " Chantal Chamberland's The Other Woman, makes you fall in love with jazz all over again" - Jazz on the Rocks - 92.5FM " A phenomenal voice, romantic love songs, touching renditions..... A fantastic release from this amazingly talented woman." -Liz Doan-