12.11. – Happy Birthday !!! On her sultry and soulful debut EP What We Had, Rebecca draws from a fresh whirlwind of classic and contemporary influences.
With every swaying breeze of her distinctive voice, the multi-talented artist makes each track an opportunity to dream, love and reminisce wistfully about beautiful times gone by.
She weaves this laid back magic over old school soul. Renowned producer Jason Miles adds his retro sounds on the Fender Rhodes, Vox Continental and Wurlitzer.
“I really appreciate the opportunity to work with Jason and so many incredible musicians in making the dream of recording my first full-fledged project. Their incredible musicianship and craftsmanship inspired me every time I was in the studio.”
After opening the EP with a dreamy and sensual twist on Hoagy Carmichael’s rarely covered gem “Winter Moon,” Rebecca keeps the sense of traveling nostalgia going with “What We Had.” This lush and graceful look back at a joyful romance was penned by Rebecca, her father Dennis and guitarist Jonah Prendergast. Rebecca and Dennis also co-wrote the set’s other original “Feel Alive,” a charming declaration of love and how it changes the heart.
Also included on the EP is Rebecca’s 2016 single of “Jet Samba,” marking the first time legendary Brazilian composer Marcos Valle’s 2005 instrumental hit was recorded as a vocal. The track received a 4 star review in the January issue of the United Kingdom’s premier jazz publication, Jazz Journal.
“Angel’s vocal and her band’s combined musicality masters the jazz samba and pop fusions perfectly…An expressive EP taster.” -Jason Balzarano
“Whether I’m performing live or recording, I’ve always been driven by my desire to evoke a meaningful emotional response. It’s all about connecting with people and bringing them together to make them feel they’re not alone. Music has always been part of how I think and do things in my life, and moving forward, I simply want to touch these audiences with the stories I tell.”
Paving the way for Rebecca’s emergence as an artist in her own right, the 22-year old singer performed gigs with her father’s band at NYC hotspots including The Iridium, The Metropolitan Room and Café Noctambulo.
“My dad has had a huge impact on my taste musically. Growing up he would play Peggy Lee, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Elvis and the Beatles on my car rides to school. I loved it all.”
Rebecca recently graduated with a degree in Vocal Jazz Studies from Ithaca College. She credits her immersive studies with giving her the practical skills to develop her individually inspired style.
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