PROFILES

GORDON BECK

An outstanding musician with remarkable accomplishments spread over 45 years in the music business. Mr. Beck recorded with giants in the industry such as Cleo Laine, Mel Torme, Anne Ducros,  Herbie Hancock, Lena Horne and Annie Ross. Gordon James Beck was born in London, England on September 16, 1935. Gordon was a self-taught musician who also studied classical piano for four years before deciding to become an aero-engineer and going to live in Canada. At the age of 24 he left the engineering world to become a professional musician and spent two months working in Monte Carlo with Tony Crombie where he met Tenor Saxophonist, Don Byas. Upon returning to England he joined the Vic Ash/Harry Klein Quartet before joining Tubby Hayes Quintet in 1962. During this time Gordon made his first appearance on record on the Tubby Hayes album, "Late Spot At Scott's", released on the Fontana record label. Gordon would later record two more albums with Tubby Hayes. He also worked with the Tony Kinsey Quintet and Annie Ross before forming his own trio. Gordon's trio was the house band at Ronnie Scott's Club in England in the late 1960's, and in 1967 Gordon began recording albums under his own name, the first of three albums for the Major Minor Records label entitled, "Dr. Dolittle Loves Jazz". During this time he also contributed to the soundtracks of several films, working with composers such as Lalo Schifrin, Benny Golson, and Gary McFarland. During the years 1969 through 1972 he was a member of the Phil Woods European Rhythm Machine.

The European Rhythm Machine toured America in 1971, and Gordon left the following year to start another band, Gyroscope, and also reform his trio. The Gordon Beck Trio consisted of Gordon, Ron Mathewson, and Daniel Humair. The trio recorded an album titled, "All In The Morning", released in 1972 on Gordon's own record label, Jaguar Records. He was part of the group Piano Conclave in the early 1970's, in addition to recording with trumpeter Ian Carr's group Nucleus from 1972 through 1974. He became a busy session musician from 1974 on, working with major artists like Lena Horne, Gary Burton, Clark Terry, George Gruntz, Charles Tolliver and Phil Woods again. He also got involved in education, becoming co-organizer of the Treforest Summer School in 1978. During that same year Gordon began his association with JMS Records. Released in 1978, "The French Connection" was the first of many recordings that Gordon would record for JMS Records. On the 1979 JMS recording "Sunbird", Gordon began working with British guitarist Allan Holdsworth. The following year Gordon and Allan released "The Things You See", an album of piano and guitar duets. During that same year, Gordon, along with Ron Mathewson, Tony Oxley, Stan Sulzmann, and Kenny Wheeler recorded "Seven Steps To Evans", an album dedicated to one of Gordon's favorite pianists, Bill Evans. In 1982 Gordon recorded "The French Connection 2", the followup to his first JMS Records release. This was followed by a solo piano recording called "Reasons". Released in 1983, "Reasons" remains one of Gordon's strongest works to date. 1984 found Gordon collaborating with vocalist Helen Merrill on their duet album "No Tears, No Goodbyes" released on the Owl Record label. In addition to releasing "Celebration Suite", a live Quintet recording, again on the JMS label, Gordon also worked with violinist Didier Lockwood during 1985. Following more work with Helen Merrill in 1986 Gordon reunited with guitarist Allan Holdsworth once again to record "With A Heart In My Song" in 1988. Gordon would later contribute to several other Allan Holdsworth projects. 1995 saw the release of "One For The Road", an album of solo keyboards all played by Gordon released by JMS Records. In 1996 Gordon teamed up with Phil Woods again for a live concert of duets at the Wigmore Hall in London, England which, fortunately for the rest of us, was released as a two CD set on JMS Records entitled, "The Complete Concert". In 1997 Gordon released "Once Is Never Enough", on FMR Records. Gordon is joined by saxophonist Stan Sulzmann, bassist Chris Laurence, and drummer Paul Clarvis. In 1999 JMS Records released "November Song" featuring Gordon on piano & synthesizer, Gene Calderazzo on drums, Stan Sulzmann on tenor & soprano saxophones & flute, and Steve Watts on bass. Art of Life Records, a new independent Jazz record label based in the United States, has just reissued The Gordon Beck Quartet's-"Experiments With Pops" recording on compact disc. Originally released in 1968 on Major Minor Records this recording features John McLaughlin, Jeff Clyne, and Tony Oxley. Be sure to order your copy of this Jazz classic from Art of Life Records today!! Also available from Art of Life Records is the Gordon Beck Trio-"Gyroscope" recording. Originally released in 1969 on Morgan Records in the U.K. this recording features Jeff Clyne and Tony Oxley. To order a copy of this CD please visit the Art of Life Records web site today. Gordon has recently completed a suite of pieces based on the various railways from around the world. He plans to record the pieces ("Jazz Tracks") at some point in the near future for eventual release on Art of Life Records. Stay tuned for more news. Gordon also continues to perform concerts in England and at various jazz festivals throughout Europe including the Appleby Jazz Festival in Westmorland. He is listed in the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment 2007

 

Ms. Boily is cabaret reincarnated in a human body. She has the voice, the aura, the looks, the feelings, the style and the craft of the “Cabaret Super Chanteuse” par excellence. Grosso modo, she is one of the finest and most accomplished cabaret singers in the civilized world. Period! Press quotes: “She has an effortlessly floating voice that cuts to the meaning of the song. But most of all, it is her gorgeous respect and palpable love of this material that communicates itself so vivaciously in the same way... she's certainly a singer I'd like to hear again and again.”-Mark Shenton, The Stage, London. “Deborah possesses a distinctive voice; her singing approach is somehow both theatrical and intimate.”- Time Out, New York. “One of the greatest Cabaret voices on either side of the Atlantic.”-Cabaret Scenes, New York and London. Deborah said: “Singing should be an expression of who you are, so always choose songs that speak to you, whose “story” is one you want to share and give back to an audience. Then you are a communicator, a story teller, not just a singer!!” She can say that, because in addition to her status as a cabaret vedette and chanteuse, Deborah is a vocal coach with years of experience. After four years playing cabarets in Paris and London, Debbie returned home to the U.S. in Fall of 1998. She immediately picked up where she left off and got back on the boards. She got rave notices for her lead role in Theater LaB Houston's production of Blood Brothers. The Houston Chronicle called her "a first-rate chanteuse with a heart-catching flair" for her solo cabaret show, OUT ON A LIMB. The summer ended with Debbie receiving the 1999 Houston Press award for "Best Comeback" to town. What a welcome home! Since back in the states Deborah has continued to work on cruise ships and on land with her one-woman shows. In December of 2000, she performed to glowing reviews, in the world premiere of Piaf in Vienna, a play written for her by Brad Korbesmeyer. The story is of a woman named Vienna who “believes” she is Edith Piaf . The play delves into the mind of a mentally ill woman who tries to make sense of her mother's death, hoping to recapture a loving connection with her by walking in Piaf’s (one of her mother's favorite singers) shoes. Korbesmeyer explores not just the story of Piaf’s life and songs, but fills the play with rich layers addressing the subjects as mental illness, father-daughter relationships and the need for personal expression. The show had a very successful Southwest premiere February of 2001 at Riverside Theater in Vero Beach, Florida. Other productions are planned for the future.Currently, Debbie has just spent 2 years developing and performing her latest Cabaret show, a celebration of the standards called Thank You for the Music. It was recorded LIVE in June 2003 and has just been released on CD. The show has received acclaim in New York, Houston, and London. It will return to London with other performances in Paris and Wales. Future goals include performances in Los Angeles, New York, and of course on the high seas. Maybe guest appearances with symphony orchestras, a platinum CD, and ongoing recognition for the music she sings. She is listed in the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment 2007.

 KATIE BULL

One of the most creative and talented artists in the business. First class. Katie Bull is a jazz vocalist and multi-media writer/performer living in New York City Love Spook is Bull’s second CD to date. Her premiere CD Conversations with the Jokers (with Michael Jefry Stevens, Lou Grassi, Joe Fonda) was released in March 2003 and received excellent critical notices. Conversations was on 12 Top Ten CMJ Radio charts culminating in an invitation to sing at Jazzweek’s kick-off to the Rochester International Jazz Festival, at the Montage. She has appeared with numerous musicians including pianists Michael Jefry Stevens, Frank Kimbrough, and Joshua Wolf; percussionists Lou Grassi, Matt Wilson, Harvey Sorgen, George Schuller, and Jon Wikan; and bass players Joe Fonda, Martin Wind, and Cameron Brown. She has sung with her divine mentors—jazz vocalist andcomposer Jay Clayton, and Jay Clayton’s Voices & and jazz singer Sheila Jordan. Most recently Katie performed with Judi Silvano in her accapella jazz-movement ensemble “Voices Together. She is listed in the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment 2007.

CYNTHIA BASINET

Cynthia Basinet’s talents and accomplishments are limitless. And she does it with class, glamour, intelligence, originality and that spicy “un je ne sais quoi!” Who is Cynthia Basinet? We ran out of answers and definitions. Easily, Ms. Basinet can dash out zillions of different business cards: Actress, singer, social activist, entrepreneur extraordinaire, model, spokeswoman, leader, Noble Prize peace nominee, story teller par excellence, promoter, headliner, Lord! And there are more, much more. The bottom line is: Basinet is one of the most fascinating women you will ever meet in your life-span. She is also “BB”; this means beauty and brains. Cynthia Basinet is a rare triple threat, combining acting prowess, natural beauty and the voice of an angel. Her speakeasy, smoldering styling is at once modern and fresh while recalling Hollywood's Golden Era. The stunning, glamorous and leggy comedic redhead began her career as a fashion model in San Francisco.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After five more years of international modeling successes in Paris (where she learned to speak fluent French and studied French cinematography), London and Milan, she returned to Los Angeles. Later, after appearing in music videos for the likes of Roy Orbison and the Babys, she used her talent array to bridge into acting, appearing in movies, TV shows and national commercials. A musician since childhood (when she first learned to play the flute, sax and sing) and an astute businesswoman, Basinet established an entirely new channel of distribution for her music, using the Internet to bypass the usual Hollywood and recording industry path to bring her releases directly to listeners around the World. With worldwide radio play and millions of downloads (however, often credited to Marilyn Monroe, who never recorded the song), she has created an entertainment phenomenon with her rendition of "Santa Baby" (also in the film, "Party Monster"). She continues recording and acting while using her music to raise awareness for many, including a trip in May/June of '01 to refugee camps in the Western Sahara. In 2005, she was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize along with 999 women around the world working for peace. The book, "1000 Peace Women Across The Globe" documents their work. Also a single mom, she currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. Ms. Basinet  is listed in the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment 2007

PAULETTE ATTIE

A living legend. Paulette Attie made her singing debut in a talent show at age 3 (and refused to get off the stage). Since then, she has performed in over 1,000 concerts from Carnegie Hall, the Bruno Walter Auditorium, Lincoln Center Outdoors, and the Hollywood Bowl, venues in Japan, Mexico, and Canada, to over thirty cabarets.  Paulette graduated Phi Beta Kappa and number 1 in her class from UCLA and was a showgirl in Las Vegas one week later.  Paulette was selected California’s Sportswoman of the Year, for which she made numerous TV appearances.  TV roles followed on Love of Life, One Life to Live, All My Children, Mercy or Murder, General Hospital, Sesame Street, and the French nightclub singer in the TV movie The Yanks Are Coming (Silver Globe Award). 

She produced and performed in a series of yearly concerts at New York's Lamb’s Theatre and was the inaugural performer at the New York and Riverbank State Parks.  Album: Paulette Performs Puccini to Porter. Off-Broadway shows saw Paulette as Lady Capulet in Sensations, Dorothy Parker in Dorothy Parker: A Montage, the Lady in The Lady Of Larkspur Lotion, and playing herself in her one woman show, About Time, including songs and poems which she wrote.  She has played the leading roles in the musicals Gypsy, Guys and Dolls, Can-Can, and Sensations, the operas and operettas The Bald Soprano, The Old Maid and the Thief, The Merry Widow, and La Vie Parisienne, and the plays Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf, Red Peppers, You Know I Can’t Hear You...., and The Perfect Party. 

She is the only American to have appeared with Le Theatre de France, where she was directed by and performed with Jean Louis Barrault at New York City Center and toured with the company in the U.S. and Canada.  She played the voice of the French cat to Mel Blanc's skunk in the cartoon, Pepe le Pew.   Paulette Attie's Musical Playbill, 2 years on WNYC AM and FM had distinguished songwriters joining Paulette in song.  In 1979, Paulette founded the National Musical Theater.  She conceived of and wrote Encore, produced by NMT, with Columbia Artists presenting the national tour.  She’s the recipient of 5 consecutive ASCAP Plus Songwriter Awards 2000 – 2004 and the National Poetry Award, 1998.  Paulette became the first woman performer elected into the Friars Club in 1988.  She was the singer for Israel’s 50th Anniversary in Washington D.C. With numerous articles about show business to her credit, Paulette just completed writing her first book, The Seven Keys to Live a Masterful Life. Diva Paulette is listed in the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment 2007.