Andrea Ketcham

Bio:

From the first chorus of Andrea Ketcham’s debut CD If I Only Had A Brain, it is obvious that the music is unlike anything heard before. “Someone To Watch Over Me” has been recorded a countless number of times but this version, which has pianist Cedric Piromalli starting out in 5/4 time, becomes a very ragged 4/4 when Andrea begins singing. Beats are purposely skipped or halved, the music is given unusual rhythms and accents, and the performance is full of surprises yet somehow both the singer and the pianist are perfectly together, thinking as one. The words and the melody of “Someone To Watch Over Me” are present and the music swings in its own fashion but the results are essentially a brand new song. The other performances on If I Only Had A Brain are just as unusual, displaying Andrea’s inventive and often-witty approach to jazz improvising and music in general. “It is very important to me that musicians sound like themselves when they are playing with me. I want them to be who they are and I don’t want them accompanying me. They should play as if it was a solo concert and then I can do my thing along with them. That way it becomes sort of like a game of cat and a mouse; in a Tom & Jerry sort of way, where it is not obvious who is leading the music. I always want the performances to be fresh and fun.” As can be heard on If I Only Had A Brain, it worked very well. The performers clearly had some real fun with the vintage material while operating as equals and creating wild and spontaneous flights. After the wondrous version of “Someone To Watch Over Me,” “Happy Together” is turned into a somewhat demented waltz. Andrea’s sad and expressive singing on a gloomy version of “My Funny Valentine” is particularly haunting before becoming surprisingly hopeful at the song’s conclusion. The hyper spaced-out boogie-woogie piano on “I’m Old Fashioned,” the countermelody given “If I Only Had A Brain,” and the way Andrea and Cedric breathe together on “My Favorite Things” are all quite memorable. “Nature Boy,” which has Andrea reciting the lyrics while Cedric makes eerie sounds from inside the piano, is a bit spooky, while the contrast between the thunderous piano pattern and the soft vocal on “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” is dramatic. A Monkish “That’s All” and a touching “We’ll Be Together Again” conclude this unique and very creative recording. A great deal more will be heard from the innovative Andrea Ketcham in the future. -Scott Yanow, 2009 ..

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Member Since:

April 14, 2008

Members:

I've been blessed to play with some amazing players... In LA with the Nick Manicini Organ Trio feat. Nick Mancini(vibes), Joe Bagg(organ), Matt Mayhall(drums) In France: If I Only Had a Brain- CD feat. Andrea Ketcham(vocals,arrangemnts), w/ Cedric Piromalli(piano,arr.) and Sylvain Roudier(tenor sax) Fitiavana- Jean-Marc Herbreteau(piano), Gabin Lessieur(piano), Christophe Lardeau(guitar), Guilain Siopathis(bass), Olivier Carole(basse), Mickey Frideloux(drums), Alexandrea Heurtebise(drums)

Influences:

Life, love, dreams...the voices of friends and the twang of my daddy's guitar....as well as Ran Blake, Tamir Hendelman, Kathleen Grace, George Gershwin, Vince Guaraldi (Charlie Brown!), Ella, Billy, Judy Garland, Anita O'Day, Betty Carter, Aretha, Stevie Wonder, Rachelle Farrel, Tuck & Patti, Simon & Garfunkel, Eva Cassidy, Sting, Django Bates, Tennessee Ernie Ford (!), Monk and Monkies and Beatles.....OH MY!!!! Did I forget Three Dog Night? NEVER!

Sounds Like:

me

Record Label:

Noonday Sun