Home     Vocalist Index     Biography     Love is a Bridge CD     Reviews     Photos     Email
   L.A. Reviews: "Loretta King is the complete jazz vocalist. Her ballads are sumptuous
      but she can also swing and she can scat. She phrases with the assurance of a singer who
      knows where the pulse is at all times and she hits notes with regal potency. I especially enjoy
      her playful quality and her obvious enthusiasm.  Loretta is a singer deserving of much more
      attention."
      Roger Crane (Jazz Writer for L.A. Jazz Scene, All About Jazz, Planet Jazz)

                                                                         * * * *

      "This is one of the best CD’s I’ve heard in its genre. Loretta has a great voice and the sound
      and production are impeccable. The original material is strong, and the disc has quite a few
      songs that deserve substantial airplay. This holds its own (to put it mildly) against other
      recordings available on major labels. Once played, it demands repeated listens. This is
      definitely a disc not to be missed."
      Kirk Pasich (formerly - partner/Media Three Management, Chair/The Woody Herman Foundation,
       member/Board of Directors of The National Academy of Jazz, music critic/As the Disc Spins)

                                                                         * * * *

      "I love your CD. I listen to hundreds of recordings and this is one of the best I've heard in over
      a year."
      Doug MacIntyre (KABC) (Los Angeles)

                                                                         * * * *

      "It is difficult not to be impressed by Loretta King's debut jazz recording. She has a warm and
      subtle voice, a cool style that holds back until the right moment, the ability to swing at every
      tempo and an inventive approach to improvising. She appears at Spazio occasionally and is
      well worth seeing. Ms. King, who was born in Sydney, Australia, begins her set with the first
      of six fine originals by Clancy Dunn, Sydney Is. He wrote the excellent lyrics to Django
      Reinhardt's haunting Clouds and his uptempo Hey Taxi is memorable. Dunn also arranged
      all of the songs along with Dick Shreve. King is wonderfully expressive on My Funny
      Valentine
, a version that features the lyrical violin of Don Palmer. Other highlights include
      You Must Believe In Spring (which is given a Brazilian rhythm), the country waltz I'm So
      Lonesome I Could Cry
, Just Me (which has some similarities to How High The Moon) and
      Skylark, on which she is accompanied by guitar and violin. The backup group, which features
      pianist Terry Trotter, guitarist John Pisano and occasionally trumpeter Warren Luening, is
      tasteful and swinging, creating a solid foundation on which Loretta King can take her flights.
      Loretta King is very good at interpreting words and tosses in some scat when it fits. Her
      album is highly recommended and available from www.lorettaking.com."
      Scott Yanow (Jazz critic for L.A. Jazz Scene)

                                                                         * * * *

      "Congratulations on your CD, Love is a Bridge. It's definitely going to be added to our playlist."
      Lawrence Tanter (KJAZZ) (Los Angeles)

                                                                         * * * *

      
"Loretta King has the two main ingredients that are the prerequisites of any vocalist, namely,
      clarity of tone and proper pitch, and when you add lyricism and freedom from stridency, you
      have a first class singer. Sydney Is is runaway hipness as King handles the myriad of clever
      lyrics with professional ease. A fast latin beat and an all star ensemble fuel this tune into
      orbit. The robust bass of Chuck Berghofer adds the heartbeat and Terry Trotter's explosive
      piano keeps it pumping. Hey Taxi is another tour de force for Miss King as she romps and
      swings through another fast paced poetical composition. She scats briefly but effectively, and
      I would like to hear more of this boppish side of King. The bittersweet It's Always 4:00 a.m.,
      a Ron Anthony/Sammy Kahn penning, is performed sweetly and soulfully, exactly as the
      composers intended. A nice tribute. Torch time with a twist as Miss King is captivating in her
      interpretation of this excellent mood enhancer. Skylark, with the unique guitar and violin
      backing of John Pisano and Don Palmer, coupled with King's straight approach, makes this
      tune work beautifully. This is a fine recording with brilliant musicians, good tunes, and
      performed with style and elegance by Miss Loretta King."
      John Gilbert (Staff Writer for Sony/Columbia Records, EuroClub DeJazz, All About Jazz,
       JazzReview.com Magazine)

                                                                         * * * *

      "Your recording has been getting airplay and will continue to get airplay. Stay tuned to the
      station that plays your recording, as well as that of Miles, Monk, & Cannonball, Gerry, Stan &
      Chet, Ella, Dinah & Sarah. Anita, Peggy & You."
      James Janisse (KKJZ) (Los Angeles)

                                                                         * * * *

      "Loretta King was born in Sydney, Australia. Her acting and singing careers have provided
      her with a bridge that crosses continents as well as timelines. Her debut album rings in
      memories of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, Julie London, and a century's worth
      of swinging songsters. With a vocal presence that carries a strong resemblance to that of
      Lena Horne, King works with several noted local artists to interpret original songs and classic
      standards. Pianist Terry Trotter, guitarist John Pisano, trumpeter Warren Luening, drummer
      Tommy Brechtlein, bassist Chuck Berghofer and violinist Don Palmer provide a superb
      foundation for her vocal melodies. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry lets the singer express from
      within. The country ballad is morphed into a lovely jazz affair, which she interprets with
      heartfelt sincerity. Clancy Dunn's Just Me and Acute Depression carry a straight-ahead, up-
      tempo countenance with bebop roots that even include energetic scat singing conversations.
      King's musical partners complement her crisp, easy to like delivery. Skylark and My Funny
      Valentine
feature Pisano and Palmer as impeccable musical partners for King's fresh
      approach. Both tracks stand out as high points for a recommended album that combines
      conservative tradition with an array of stellar musical performances."
      Jim Santella (Jazz critic for L.A. Jazz Scene)