Alexia Gardner - Feeling the Love, Songs of My Mother, Songs of My Father

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:37
Size: 82,2 MB
Art: Front

(1:38) 1. Forever Young
(6:16) 2. God Bless The Child
(2:31) 3. Great Day
(5:35) 4. Stand By Me
(1:01) 5. My Life
(3:11) 6. Alfie
(4:43) 7. Milestones
(3:45) 8. Theme From Mahogany
(2:49) 9. Miss Celie's Blues
(4:03) 10. Tell Him

I can still hear my father singing Burt Bacharach’s ‘Alfie’ and Ben E King’s ‘Stand by Me’. I can still see my mother’s beautiful face and feel her quiet strength all around me. This is a beautiful, prayerful, vocal, jazz album dedicated to my late parents and presented to you with the swinging, heartfelt, traditional jazz instruments of piano, bass, drums, horns and voice. Enjoy every moment!
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/album/feeling-the-love-songs-of-my-mother-songs-of-my-father-alexia-gardner

Personnel: Alexia Gardner (vocal); Hyuna Park (piano), Martin Pizzarelli (bass), George Gray (drums), Linus Wyrsch (sax)

Feeling the Love, Songs of My Mother, Songs of My Father

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Alexia Gardner - Jammin': Live in Shanghai

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:17
Size: 149,8 MB
Art: Front

(1:30)  1. The Moon Shines On My Heart
(3:45)  2. Cheek To Cheek
(4:57)  3. Let There Be Love
(5:14)  4. The Man I Love
(5:46)  5. Even As We Speak
(3:36)  6. I Hear Music
(4:15)  7. Change The World
(4:44)  8. Girl Talk
(4:18)  9. Jammin'
(4:21) 10. Mean To Me
(5:32) 11. Help Me Make It Through The Night
(7:10) 12. Fool On A Hill
(4:17) 13. To Be Free
(5:46) 14. Refrain. The Moon Shines On My Heart

Alexia's second Album - 'Jammin' Alexia Gardner, Live in Shanghai' - is a wonderful follow-up to her debut album -'The Rest Of Your Life'. Once again it was recorded in a "Live" setting which captures Alexia's unique command of a "Live" audience. She interacts easily with her listeners and has the abilty to keep them 'spellbound'! This cd has a strong audience participation and a fun, in-the-moment, feel to it! It is the culmination of a 6 month residency at JC Mandarin - a luxury five star hotel - in the middle of down-town Shanghai! There is a warmth and ease of playing between the band members. A together-ness that came from their Thursday - Saturday feature at the Hotel. The Room - The Wine Bar and Grill - was a warm, dark, intimate setting, hues of red decour making it a fitting, late night jazz concert! Dr Dwight Dickerson is on piano. He is from Los Angeles, California. A master on the piano. A Professor of music as well as a truely outstanding musician. You will hear his strong, distinct style throughout the cd. Alexia feels she is very fortunate to have him play on her second album.

The electric bass, in this ensemble, brings a strong, fat, bass sound throughout. It provides a superb contrast to the accoustic bass of the first album. Nicholas McBride an Australian is a master on the drums. He adds his gentle brushes for the soft ballads and mid-tempo feels and a funky or reggae or swing rhythm when needed. All three musicians furnish Alexia's light, warm jazz side as well as her swinging, up-tempo, fun songs. Alexia Gardner is a British girl of Jamaican parents, currently based in the art city of Basel, Switzerland. Her tours and concerts have brought her to this fascinating recording. This Global exposure is particularly reflected in Alexia's second album. She chose to open and close her cd with a glimpse of a traditional Chinese Song -'The Moon Shines On My Heart'. A beautiful ballad which then slides effortlessly into the traditional jazz feel of the next track - 'Cheek to Cheek'.  This is a really groovy cd! An enjoyable cd! A "must have" in your collection of Live recordings. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/alexiagardner2

Jammin':  Live in Shanghai

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Alexia Gardner - A Little Closer: Live At the Birds Eye Jazz Club

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:31
Size: 125,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:11)  1. Everything Must Change
(2:48)  2. There'll Never Be Another You
(5:54)  3. Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered
(4:15)  4. At Last
(3:25)  5. Jump In
(5:23)  6. Illusions
(5:48)  7. Turn Your Lights Down Low
(5:22)  8. Stormy Weather
(4:57)  9. My Favorite Things
(6:45) 10. Black Coffee
(5:39) 11. A Little Closer

'When listening to vocalist, Alexia Gardner, you are reminded of that era when a jazz singer was just that, someone in that tradition who would take a song and tell its story musically, respecting the integrity of its original melody, yet using nuanced phrasing that would be uniquely individual. For those 'jazz aficionados' or even those who are just lovers of good music. I would strongly suggest that you treat yourself to hearing one of the true practioners of this great artform, jazz! Truly a world citizen via Jamaica, England, Asia and Europe, and a world class jazz singer,Ms. Alexia Gardner!" Phil Morrison 20(Bassist/Composer/Songwriter)

With over a decade of tours and concerts in South East Asia Alexia Gardner has recently moved to New York City. She is ready to share her soft, mellow and distinctive voice with her audience here as well as continuing to perform globally. Her Live recordings in Hongkong, Shanghai and Switzerland showcase her rapport with the audience and her command of the stage.  This British Singer with Jamaican Roots began her career touring the British Cabaret Circuit in England and Wales. She toured with her gifted sister Paula Gardner as a sophisticated, accapella duo and got much acclaim for their wonderfully harmonic voices. Alexia soon began a solo career that took her across the Mediterranean on luxury Cruise Liners as well as the luxury hotel groups in Asia. Part of her addictiveness stems from her Jamaican parentage where she is able to incorporate everything from Standard Jazz Classics, Latin grooves, a touch of Reggae vibes, soft Bossa Nova styles to gentle, familiar ballads.

Alexia has three live albums and one studio recording available for your enjoyment. 'The Rest Of Your Life ' recorded in 2001 at the `Jazz Club` in Hongkong and the suitably entitled ` Jammin ' Alexia Gardner Live In Shanghai` This second album was released in January 2006 and one of the reviews were:  'This is one of the strongest jazz Vocal CDs I've heard in a long time. Alexia Gardner comes across in the tradition of Sarah, Ella and Nancy but with her own uniqueness. A wonderful singer with a wonderful rhythm section! (Phil Morrison, bassist, composer, lyricist August 2006)

Her third album is 'Chasing Hope, Alexia Gardner and the offbeat Trio'. This beautiful album recorded in Switzerland with the fabulous trio that she toured and performed with since her return to Europe after years in Asia. This was recorded in the summer of 2009. A wonderful album with special guests and striking original tunes. Finally, the fourth album is once again recorded in front of a Live Audience. It is called ' A Little Closer, Alexia Gardner Live At The Birds Eye Jazz Club'. This is a unique recording of guitar, double bass and voice. This was released late September 2011 and once again demonstrates Alexia's diverse and ever appealing artistry. https://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/AlexiaGardner

Personnel:  Vocals - Alexia Gardner;  Guitar - Beat Baumli;  Bass - Lorenz Beyeler;  Arrangements - Beat Baumli

A Little Closer: Live At the Birds Eye Jazz Club

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Alexia Gardner - The Rest Of Your Life

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:56
Size: 135,3 MB
Art: Front

(6:38)  1. Night And Day
(4:24)  2. Let's Call The Whole Thing Off
(5:09)  3. Get Here
(4:11)  4. One Note Samba
(6:05)  5. Skylark
(6:08)  6. Redemption Song
(3:26)  7. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life
(6:34)  8. Summertime
(2:43)  9. Hallelujah I Love Him So
(7:18) 10. Black Coffee
(4:14) 11. Send In The Clowns

Alexia Gardner is truely an international Jazz Artiste. She is British Born of Jamaican Roots, this recording happened whilst she was based in Hongkong; singing classic, African-American Jazz!  Her 'live' recording of "The Rest Of Your Life" reflects her years of touring Europe and Asia singing truely, heart warming, heart-felt jazz classics to captivated audiences. Her signature warm tones and beautiful, mellow renditions of the classics, leave the listener yearning for more!  The "Rest Of Your Life" was recording July 19th-20th 2001 at the Jazz and Blues Club, Hongkong. She is joined by Ted Lo on Piano (Hongkong) Sylvain Gagnon on bass (Canada) and Edmond Branson on drums (Singapore). These traditional accoustic instruments, with talented musicians from all over the globe, blend beautifully with Alexia's honey-like voice.  

This international line-up serves to bring a unique and diverse interpretation of the old classics. Look out for the reggae influence on one of the tracks. There is also a gospel/blues tribute and a love ballad that falls neatly into the pop genre - rendered wonderfully with the traditional jazz instruments. Alexia Gardner continues to sing and enjoy the jazz scene around her. She is currently based in the international city of Basel, Switzerland  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/alexiagardner

"She demonstrates an impressive command of standards, including Night and Day, Let's Call The Whole Thing Off and Black Coffee, as well as the less obvious choice of Bob Marley's Redemption Song. A Highlight is a slick and sophisticated version of Ray Charles' Hallelujah I love Him (Her) So!" ~ All That's Jazz, Robin Lynam, Oct.2003

The Rest Of Your Life

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Alexia Gardner And Offbeat Trio - Chasing Hope

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 57:23
Size: 131.4 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[4:43] 1. Forbidden Fruit
[2:55] 2. Dont Get Around Much Anymore
[4:36] 3. Island In The Sun
[4:51] 4. Love For Sale
[5:55] 5. Nearness Of You
[4:13] 6. Fool On The Hill
[3:08] 7. Blue Moon
[4:19] 8. Chasing Hope
[4:25] 9. Everyday I Have The Blues
[4:52] 10. Love's Devine
[5:37] 11. Alvaneu
[2:36] 12. Moon River
[2:29] 13. Railroad Track
[2:35] 14. Mo Betta Blues

Alexia Gardner's new album - Chasing Hope - was recorded over two, warm, sunny days in the offBeat Studios of Switzerland’s St Gallen region. This is a gentle departure from Alexia’s first two albums. These were recorded in front of a live audience whilst living and touring Asia . With the new album, Alexia has had the luxury of selecting her musicians and musical standards – old and new – and presenting them in a studio setting. Chasing Hope moves from straight ahead Jazz to smooth Pop Ballads; from Cole Porter’s, 'Love For Sale' to Seal’s, 'Love Divine', from Rodgers and Hart’s timeless 'Blue Moon', performed in a Latin style, to the smooth rendition of Hoagy Carmichael’s, 'The Nearness Of You'. There is also a touch of Gospel and a sprinkling of the Blues!

'Chasing Hope' is the title track and one of the four original tunes featured on the recording. Alexia wrote this tune. It's all about a spunky 8-year old girl called Hope. She wrote this tune with gifted New Yorker, Oliver Von Essen, whilst living and touring in Shanghai, China. Have a read about this fascinating little girl called Hope at www.alexiagardner.com

Alexia is joined by the offBeat Trio on this recording, musicians she has been performing with throughout Switzerland (and neighbouring countries) since her move to this country with her husband in late 2006. They are Marcel Schefer on Piano, Kalli Gerhards on Bass and Beat Fraefel-Haering on drums. Special guests featured on the album are Pius Baumgartner on Tenor Saxophone. He perfroms on Forbidden Fruit, the opening funky, origianal track written by London based, songwriter and pianist, Alex Webb. Pius Baumgartner is also featured on the tracks - 'The Nearness Of You' and Branford Marsalis' 'Mo Betta Blues'. Alexia wrote some lyrics to go hand in hand with this moody, bluesy instrumental classic. Paula Gardner and Alexia Hope are guest Backing Vocalists on the tune 'Island In The Sun'. This is a tribute to Alexia's Jamaican heritage. Fittingly, these guests are also of Jamaican origin. Paula is Alexia's gifted, younger sister and Alexia Hope is the very same 'Hope' that is the inspiration for the title track 'Chasing Hope'. Alexia's spunky 8 year old niece!

Enjoy every moment! This is truely a smoking cd! It's as warm, sunny and fun as the two warm, sunny days that it took to record this album over in Switzerland's western countryside!

Chasing Hope

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