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Jazz/R&B Artist Lisa Marie Named December “Best Vocalist
Of The Month”
By Dale Kawashima
Lisa Marie, a talented jazz/R&B artist based in Apple Valley, CA (in San Bernardino County), has won the December SingerUniverse “Best
Vocalist Of The Month” Competition, for her rendition of “The Answer Is You,”
which was originally made famous by Phyllis Hyman and written by Mark Radice.
This song is featured on Lisa Marie’s 12-song debut album All My Love,
which she released independently in 2007.
Lisa Marie
“The Answer Is You” is a soulful ballad which provides a
terrific showcase for Lisa Marie’s rich, deep vocals. Her strong vocal ability
becomes clear almost immediately, when her voice comes in at the beginning of
the opening verse. “The Answer Is You” was produced by Lisa Marie with Mark
Radice, who skillfully played all the music tracks on this recording. Radice is
known for his extensive work with Aerosmith, and he has co-written songs for
Barbra Streisand, Barry Manilow, Michael Bolton and Cheap Trick.
Lisa Marie was born and raised in Chicago, IL, where she was
first introduced to music by her father Stan Williams (who is a singer). She
was also inspired by listening to such artists as Nancy Wilson, Barbra Streisand
and Phyllis Hyman. In her early teens, she sang in a Baptist church choir, and
she entered and won some local talent contests.
When she was 15 Lisa Marie moved with her father to Los Angeles, and after high school she enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. “I worked in the Army as a computer operator for six years,” she recalled. “I also
had a chance to form a jazz band there. I loved living in Germany, and I also enjoyed traveling to France and Spain.”
Lisa Marie
After the Army, Lisa Marie returned to Los Angeles, where
she started a new band and performed at many jazz clubs in Southern California.
Then in 2006, she began recording her debut album All My Love, which
features Lisa Marie’s vocal performances of 12 jazz/R&B standards. “I’m
proud of the album – I produced the album and hired the musicians,” she said.
Currently, Lisa Marie is working on her next album, which
will include material which she has co-written. The album is scheduled for
release in Spring 2009. In addition, Lisa Marie (with her band) has remained a
steady live performer, playing concerts and parties throughout California. “I’m planning to do a concert tour in Northern California, which I’m looking
forward to,” she added.
In addition, here are four, talented vocalists/artists who complete our Top Five Vocalists honorees list for this month's competition, with their credits, plus their e-mail and website links. You can listen to their songs by double-clicking the music players below.
Margot Blanche
"Let It Rain." (pop/R&B). Performed and written by Margot Blanche of New York, NY.