Several years ago, I began thinking about doing an album not just dedicated to my best friend and singing-partner, Lisa Malafouris, who courageously lost her battle to cancer, but also to one of my favorite artists, Karen Carpenter. Karen was both a multi-instrumentalist and a contralto; musical expressions that I too share.

The Carpenters were one of the biggest-selling American musical acts of all time. Between 1970 and 1984, the siblings, Richard and Karen Carpenter, had 17 Top 20 hits, including "Goodbye to Love", "Yesterday Once More", "Close to You”, and "Rainy Days and Monday." Together, they garnered 10 gold singles, nine gold albums, one multi-platinum album, and three GRAMMY® awards. Karen's velvety voice and Richard's airy melodies and meticulously-crafted arrangements stood in direct contrast to the louder, wilder rock music that co-dominated the charts of their time. Even so, The Carpenters' lyricism and musical array became immensely popular by audiences all of the world with 100+ million records sold. While Richard was the driving force of the ensemble's musical arrangements, it was Karen's empathetic voice and unique abilities to engage their audiences that prevailed among their hits. As a drummer and vocalist, Karen became one of that decade's most important female singers and songwriters, bringing hope, contemplation, and joy to her listeners., despite her personal struggles. Her example shown a light on both female artists and eating disorders.

Why “Jazz Up” The Carpenters’ music?

When I shared my vision for this album with Latin GRAMMY®, EMMY®, and 52-time DOWNBEAT® award winning producer, Dr. Jose Valentino, he instantly stated the following:

"This intercultural generation needs to hear these powerful messages created by Karen & Richard Carpenter! Donna, your voice and heart for bridging cultures and world views through musical communication should be reflected in this newfangled endeavor. I am in!"

This lead to the embarkation of a beautiful collaboration and together we took the album to musical places far beyond what we could every hope for. Truly, I learned that gargantuan blessings manifest when individuals have the opportunity to work with people who mutually believe in the artistic capacity and vocational impetus of the album. The result of this cross-cultural and cross-generational vocal jazz album is a synchrony of heartfelt music that fuses songs by The Carpenters with a Chicago jazz sound (an homage to my cultural roots) + a dash of Wayne Shorter (track 1, "Footprints") + a splash of McCoy Tyner (the inspiration for the songs' reharmonization), and African popular musical influences.

Many listeners have already described this album as having passion, power and soul as it reimagines vocal jazz music through lenses of the African Diaspora experience. Exhibiting an honest celebration of friendship and communion that is ever-present are (1) multi-instrumentalist José Valentino (i.e., piano, keyboard, bass, flute, and saxophones, and vocals); (2) the vibrant drummer and percussionist Derris Lee; (3) the exquisitely talented guitarist Shawn Perkinson, and (4) I, Donna E. Scott (as lead vocalist) as we served as the core ensemble members for tracks 1 through 6.
Arranger and jazz pianist Brad Bietry reimagined Superstar and the solos of Gregoire Maret (harmonica) and Darrel Lavigne (piano) lushly envelop and captures the songs longing yet nimble spirit. it is our sincere hope that you enjoy listening to this musical offering as much as we enjoyed creating it. Blessings.

For more info visit
www.donnaescott.com

Footprints

everal years ago, I began thinking about doing an album not just dedicated to my best friend and singing-partner, Lisa Malafouris, who courageously lost her battle to cancer, but also to one of my favorite artists, Karen Carpenter. Karen was both a multi-instrumentalist and a contralto; musical expressions that I too share.

The Carpenters were one of the biggest-selling American musical acts of all time. Between 1970 and 1984, the siblings, Richard and Karen Carpenter, had 17 Top 20 hits, including "Goodbye to Love", "Yesterday Once More", "Close to You”, and "Rainy Days and Monday." Together, they garnered 10 gold singles, nine gold albums, one multi-platinum album, and three GRAMMY® awards. Karen's velvety voice and Richard's airy melodies and meticulously-crafted arrangements stood in direct contrast to the louder, wilder rock music that co-dominated the charts of their time. Even so, The Carpenters' lyricism and musical array became immensely popular by audiences all of the world with 100+ million records sold. While Richard was the driving force of the ensemble's musical arrangements, it was Karen's empathetic voice and unique abilities to engage their audiences that prevailed among their hits. As a drummer and vocalist, Karen became one of that decade's most important female singers and songwriters, bringing hope, contemplation, and joy to her listeners., despite her personal struggles. Her example shown a light on both female artists and eating disorders.

Why “Jazz Up” The Carpenters’ music?

When I shared my vision for this album with Latin GRAMMY®, EMMY®, and 52-time DOWNBEAT® award winning producer, Dr. Jose Valentino, he instantly stated the following:

"This intercultural generation needs to hear these powerful messages created by Karen & Richard Carpenter! Donna, your voice and heart for bridging cultures and world views through musical communication should be reflected in this newfangled endeavor. I am in!"

This lead to the embarkation of a beautiful collaboration and together we took the album to musical places far beyond what we could every hope for. Truly, I learned that gargantuan blessings manifest when individuals have the opportunity to work with people who mutually believe in the artistic capacity and vocational impetus of the album. The result of this cross-cultural and cross-generational vocal jazz album is a synchrony of heartfelt music that fuses songs by The Carpenters with a Chicago jazz sound (an homage to my cultural roots) + a dash of Wayne Shorter (track 1, "Footprints") + a splash of McCoy Tyner (the inspiration for the songs' reharmonization), and African popular musical influences.

Many listeners have already described this album as having passion, power and soul as it reimagines vocal jazz music through lenses of the African Diaspora experience. Exhibiting an honest celebration of friendship and communion that is ever-present are (1) multi-instrumentalist José Valentino (i.e., piano, keyboard, bass, flute, and saxophones, and vocals); (2) the vibrant drummer and percussionist Derris Lee; (3) the exquisitely talented guitarist Shawn Perkinson, and (4) I, Donna E. Scott (as lead vocalist) as we served as the core ensemble members for tracks 1 through 6.
Arranger and jazz pianist Brad Bietry reimagined Superstar and the solos of Gregoire Maret (harmonica) and Darrel Lavigne (piano) lushly envelop and captures the songs longing yet nimble spirit. it is our sincere hope that you enjoy listening to this musical offering as much as we enjoyed creating it. Blessings.

For more info visit

Close To You

On Top Of The World

I Won't Last A Day

Yesterday Once More

Rainy Days & Mondays

Super Star

André de Quadros is Music Professor at Boston University and a human rights activist. In the interview, we ask him about his work with prisoners (both women and men) in the USA, and with groups promoting peace-building in the Israeli- Palestinians conflict. In this episode, he explains how his approach called Empowering Song allows to open up new paths to empower individuals and communities seeking change.


Created by Teresa Cappiali 
Co-produced with Francesca Cerri

EP 1. Empowering Through Creative Arts-Making in Prison. Guest: André de Quadros

SO WHAT (16-Bit & 44.1 kHz)_1

Johnny Manuel, voice, and David Loeb, piano, render a simple and powerful version of Donny Hathaway's runaway classic soul anthem. Recorded at UNLV Recording Studios by Zachary S. Shea.

Someday We'll All Be Free - feat. Johnny Manuel & David Loeb - Music and Lyrics by Donny Hathaway

Award winning jazz artist Donna Scott's latest album My Favorite Things is Out Now !!!

SO WHAT (16-Bit & 44.1 kHz)_1

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