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Artist's BIO By Andrea Canter http://jazzink.blogspot.comwww.jazzpolice.com Vocalist Christine Rosholt likes to celebrate. She's celebrated the songs of Harold Arlen, Blossom Dearie, Johnny Mercer and "Girl Singers of the Hit Parade." She's celebrated the release two (so far!) acclaimed recordings. But mostly, Christine celebrates life and music every time she takes the stage or grabs a microphone. What makes Christine stand out in a deep pool of contemporary jazz vocalists in a region brimming with talent (the Twin Cities) is what renowned jazz critic Scott Yanow describes as "a subtle but powerful voice, one that sneaks up on the listener and makes a surprisingly strong impression." That impression is enhanced by a background in theater that is reflected in Christine's ability to take the listener by the ear and pull him or her onto the stage to become part of the music, part of the story. A graduate of the Minneapolis Children's Theater Company & School, Christine went on to earn a BFA in performance art and photography from the Art Institute of Chicago, and worked for many years as a fine art photographer. Her vocal education has included the prestigious Yale Cabaret Conference, Janice Borla Vocal Jazz Camp and studies with local diva Lucia Newell. Focusing on jazz singing for the past eight years, Christine has performed at many local venues, festivals, fund raisers and corporate events. She had regular gigs at Café Havana in Minneapolis and at The Norton's Restaurant in Red Wing; has been the featured vocalist with Beasley's Big Band; has regularly performed for swing dancers at the Wabasha Street Caves for the past five years; and has been heard frequently at the famed Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis, Club Saratoga in Duluth, and at many other clubs and night spots. Her resume also includes the Minnesota Orchestra Symphony Ball with Tony Bennett and Macy's Day of Music on the Orchestra Hall main stage; "Girl Singers of the Hit Parade--A Salute to the Great Female Vocalists of the 50s" at Old Log Theater, Lyric Arts Main Street Stage and the Mable Tainter Theater (Menomonie, WI); "My Shining Hour: A Tribute to the Music of Harold Arlen" at the Bloomington Art Center, part of the Twin Cities Jazz Society's "Jazz From J to Z" concert series; "Jazzed Fridays" at the Ordway; "MinnRoast" (for three years) at the Pantages Theater; and a concert putting the words of Shakespeare to the music of Ellington, Strayhorn and more at Macalester College's Janet Wallace Concert Hall. She is also included in Scott Yanow's compendium of the nation's top jazz vocalists, The Jazz Singers. Currently Christine is a featured statewide performer for Minnesota's Greatest Generation, a partnership between the Minnesota Regional Public Library System (MRPLS) and the Minnesota Historical Society. In the fall of 2011 she will do a special concert at the Jungle Theater performing several Shakespeare poems & sonnets set to compositions by Duke Ellington, John Dankworth & Arthur Young. Christine sites diverse influences ranging from Anita O'Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Blossom Dearie, and Frank Sinatra to Connie Evingson, Diana Krall, Jane Monheit, John Pizzarelli , Joni Mitchell, Tierney Sutton and Karrin Allyson. A longtime fan of standards from the 1930s and 40s, tunes of that era adorned her debut recording, Detour Ahead. This first effort earned a nomination from the Minnesota Music Awards as Jazz Recording of the Year (2005). She followed with a live recording session at the Dakota Jazz Club, releasing Lipstick to wide acclaim in 2008, filling the tracks with favorite songs, both standards and less familiar tunes, mixing high energy swing with sweet ballads. And recording live seemed perfectly natural for the former theater student. "My mother said that I came out talking," says Christine. "I really love connecting with all of the people that come to my gigs. It is a huge part of why I like to perform." Most recently, Christine has been working in far less familiar territory, the songs of British pianist/songwriter Kevin Hall. Crossing jazz and pop boundaries, Christine dubs this music "pazz." In addition to their collaboration in the studio, where they have now finished recording to be released in late 2010, Christine has performed Kevin's songs on Twin Cities Public Television ("Minnesota Originals") and on Baby Blue Arts, and has teamed with Hall on live performances during the pianist's Twin Cities visits. One of the busiest musicians in the Twin Cities today, Christine Rosholt's audience is growing as fast as her press clippings: "Her phrasing has a dewy freshness that helps define classic tunes from the likes of Jobim, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, and Fats Waller with sparkling clarity." --Rick Mason, City Pages "Christine charms as much with her melodies, her phrasing, her interpretations, her song choices as she does with her banter and perky smile. She's bringing her own character, comedy and drama into her music, not just her show. She can pull your heart out with an achingly slow 'Smile' or make you smirk with her interpretation of Dave Frishberg's 'I'm Hip...'" -- Andrea Canter, JazzINK "An unstoppable force on the club scene..." --Tom Surowicz, Star Tribune Christine enjoys playing at weddings, private parties and special events. She also has played at many restaurants and clubs in the Twin Cities and beyond. Here is a comprehensive list:
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