“Carlson's
gently swinging way...carries with it conviction and displays with abundance a
talent for conveying the inner message of the lyric in a bedroom-warm contralto.”
W. Royal Stokes JAZZ TIMES
She has been singing and playing
in and around the Bay Area since she was twelve, starting with playing for her
church and later moving on through weddings, private parties, big bands, small
combos, concerts, jazz festivals, recordings, musicals and radio and TV
appearances.
“She has
an appealing and clear voice, a strong sense of swing and at times sounds like a mix of Rosemary Clooney and Ernestine Anderson, straddling the boundary between jazz and middle-of-the-road cabaret music.”
Scott Yanow JAZZ LINK
She has appeared with Joe
Williams, Buddy Montgomery, Bruce Forman, Joe Henderson and others.
“Shanna
Carlson...clearly talent deserving wider recognition... vocally she covers all
the bases and shines through as a fine pianist and composer as well...good
taste and real musicality.”
Dick Conte, KCSM-FM
In 1994 she released her first CD
"Swing High, Swing Low" featuring the title track written by Carroll
Coates and six originals penned with lyricist Ken McKenzie, as well as such
standards as "The Very Thought Of You" and Duke Ellington's “Love You
Madly”.
“The highlights
of Swing High, Swing Low for me are Carlson soaring into "Looking At You", giving the Cole Porter gem a fresh, ebullient read...and the six-pack of originals which
demonstrate that she is not only an exquisite interpreter of standards but also a composer.
Dan Ouellette, DOWN BEAT, STEREOPHILE, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
In 1995 she composed twelve tunes
for, and performed in, the one-woman musical “Roads Taken” with book and lyrics by Ken McKenzie.
“...her
greatest asset is her ability to put a song across, with an intensity and
conviction that forces you to really FEEL the lyric. This is because she so
obviously feels it herself...”
Ken McKenzie
She has appeared at the San Jose
Jazz Festival, The Plush Room, Yoshi's, Stanford Jazz Vocal Series and many MANY others.
“Shanna
Carlson is a vibrant, passionate singer... a wonderfully creative performer, who crafts a fine line between strength and
sensitivity.”
Marian McPartland, JAZZ PIANIST/ HOST OF NPR’S ‘PIANO JAZZ’
In addition to performing in
virtually every city in the Bay Area, she has appeared in Seattle, Portland,
Chicago, Milwaukee, Dallas, Carson City and Prescott, Arizona as well as
Sweden, Norway and England.
“Shanna
has a beautiful voice with a smoky-sultry edge and a dramatic presence that's exceptional among singers. She makes a
classic lyric come alive...an artist who constantly surprises you with new
things and interesting twists on old standards."
Robert Tate, JAZZ NOW
Shanna is available for club dates
and other events.
For More Information About Shanna Carlson Please Visit the Site Below
