Sherri Roberts and Bliss Rodriguez


The new CD "Lovely Days", a duo session on Pacific Coast Jazz, is an intimate, emotionally incisive celebration of the American Songbook's infrequently turned back pages, showcasing the brilliant but little documented Bay Area pianist Bliss Rodriguez. Called a "superior bop and standards vocalist" by the Los Angeles Times, Sherri Roberts blurs the line between cabaret and jazz singing. She performs the tunes of Broadway and Tin Pan Alley in modern jazz settings, while her great affinity for Brazilian music and the compositions of contemporary jazz artists keeps her song choices personal and exciting. She takes her innate feeling for melody and rhythm and mates it with an attraction for less-known and wrongly-neglected songs.

Sherri has three previous critically acclaimed cds under her belt. "The Sky Could Send You", produced and arranged by bassist Harvie S with special guests Phil Woods and Lew Soloff, "Twilight World" (1996) and "Dreamsville" (1998).

Sherri has recorded or performed with Harvie S, Mark Soskin, Danny Gottlieb, Chris Potter, Eric Friedlander, Joe La Barbera, and many top Bay Area musicians.

http://www.sherri-roberts.com


Pianist Bliss Rodriguez began his professional career playing with guitarist and singer Jose Feliciano while still in high school. He went on to study with jazz pedagogue John Mehegan and pianist Lenny Tristano, as well as completing music degrees at Mannes College of Music and Harpur College.

In the 60's and 70's he worked regularly in New York City, both as solo pianist, and as accompanist to many singers, such as Roseanne Vitro. Since moving to San Francisco in 1986 he has continued to work with singers like Laurie Antonioli, and Robin Gregory, as well as instrumentalists such as trumpeter Graham Bruce, and to perform solo piano. In 2001, he toured Japan for 3 months with singer Tressa Lewis.

He appeared twice previously at Chez Hanny with bassist Ron Crotty, and once solo.

All of which only hints at the superb touch, extraordinary harmonic imagination, and architectural brilliance of his playing. Bliss is the Bay Area's best kept secret. Don't miss this opportunity.


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