Christine Rosholt, Jazz Meets the Bard at the Jungle Theater, September 26
http://jazzink.blogspot.com/2011/09/twin-cities-jazz-week-in-review_29.html

My nominee for the most transformed jazz artist in the Twin Cities, Christine has been performing around town for much of the past decade, starting out as an entertaining, adequate interpreter of the Great American Songbook and morphing steadily into an even more entertaining, more personal, more complex interpreter of... most anything musical. From her Elizabethan ruff to her informative, stand-up comic style banter with the audience and stellar vocal performance throughout, Jazz Meets the Bard Meets Christine was a fine night of songs and stories. (And watch out for Christine's upcoming CD release with English songwriter Kevin Hall in December as she melds jazz and pop into "Pazz.")
Andrea Canter: JazzInk

Christine found herself in CJ's column in the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Tuesday, September 27, 2011! http://www.startribune.com/featuredColumns/130603738.html

CJ: Emcee and diva at-large

Event planner Paula Molnau had a situation on her hands -- and not enough clothes on for her own comfort.

Molnau is director of development for the Madison Claire Foundation, which was created in memory of Madison Claire Millington, who died in 2004 at the age of 2 from complications of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). The foundation, started by Madison's mom, Dana Millington, had a gala at the Van Dusen Mansion that raised $47,000 for Madison's Place, a Woodbury playground designed to be accessible to wheelchair and walker users of all ages. The playground will be at the Bielenberg Sports Center on land donated by the city of Woodbury.

The rest of what is written here is not be to confused with the serious mission of the foundation.

Molnau probably thought, based on the voice, that a man was trying to come into the suite where she was dressing. There was a brief tug of war with the door before she realized it was just me, emcee for the foundation's "Roaring 20s"-themed gala, trying to get into the makeup room.

Rather than put on clothing, Molnau let me in, although she was wearing next to nothing. (Of course, she had on much the same female undergarments that Andre Shoals wears throughout most of his Lab Theater performance as Frank-N-Furter in "Rocky Horror Show Live!")

The next part of the silliness began when Molnau asked me to install her false eyelashes. It went pretty well considering that I've only had full false eyelashes put on me for photo shoots by professionals and had never put them on my own eyelids or anybody else's.

The final act of silliness ensued when vocalist Christine Rosholt turned over her mike and band to me so I could sing "Bieber Fever." It's a song sung from the perspective of Justin Bieber's girlfriend, Selena Gomez, to the tune of Peggy Lee's "Fever," and embellished with Bieber-centric lyrics written by yours truly. After catching part of my "Bieber Fever" act on a recent voice-mail greeting, Molnau thought I should perform it at the gala in addition to being emcee.

Might have been better if I drank in public.

Rosholt, a good sport and a real singer, said I did fine considering "it could have been a disaster." I thought bass player Keith Boyles was just trying to figure out what key I sang in when the next thing I knew, we (as in pianist Chris Lomheim, drummer Mac Santiago and sax playerDavid Karr) were in full song.

It was all rather scary, even though the lyrics were funnier than the singing.

Jazz concert at White Pine Room a good one
Christine Rosholt and band presented jazz from the 30s and 40s
by John W. Dermody

Swinging Saturday. Christine Rosholt presented a jazz concert at the White Pine Room Saturday evening along with her four band members. The event was sponsored by the Minnesota Historical Society and the Minnesota Library System.

There is music.

And there is history.

When music and history are combined, good things can happen, with the listening experience delightful, indeed.

A jazz concert at the White Pine Room Saturday evening was a melding of big band and jazz music of the 1930s and 1940s with the focus on many songs from the World War II era. It was a successful artistic marriage, even including later in the program a more contemporary presentation - a specially written "offspring" to Frazee.

Singer Christine Rosholt, appearing with four superb instrumentalists, explained that the focus of the band's tour was America's "Greatest Generation." In other words, selections and commentary were often poignant reminiscences of a time 60 -75 years ago that was marked by world conflict, but exceptional music.

For a relatively small singer, Rosholt has a big voice. At times, one could imagine Doris Day performing "As Time Goes By" on one of her "best of" vinyl platters of the 50s or 60s. The great song from the 1942 blockbuster "Casablanca" was wonderfully delivered, as many great artists have recorded the tune first produced for a 1931 Broadway musical.

Rosholt has a style similar to a Rosemary Clooney one minute and then follows in another song reminiscent of a playful Eartha Kitt. In other words, she adapts terrific songs to her own pleasant, entertaining style.

Backed by Tanner Taylor on piano/keyboard, Graydon Peterson on bass, Jay Epstein on drums and trumpeter Dave Jensen, the singer did numerous songs in a period lasting just over an hour that had listeners tapping their toes.

A nice version of "Old Black Magic" had a deceiving pace - first slow and melodic, then a rollicking rendition that Louis Prima and his songbird wife Keeley Smith would have enjoyed immensely. Nobody could imitate Prima's "George of the Jungle" voice, but Saturday's featured artist was superb singing the classic tune.

A song from way out of the flapper era received a great reception, however, and was an interesting contrast to the sounds of the big bands.

Rosholt sang "Frazee," a parody of Patsy Cline's overwhelming hit "Crazy" from 1962. She explained that while the group was driving from the Twin Cities to Frazee, Jensen had the idea for plugging in appropriate words to salute the host city. One can imagine how many laughs occurred while moving words around to have fun with the country singer's hit.

It was great, and the group really seemed to be - as Rosholt sang - "Crazy for Frazee."

The program, sponsored by the Minnesota Historical Society and Minnesota's libraries, was one that could be enjoyed anytime, no matter how much "time goes by."

Christine is written up in this book, get it here:
http://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Singers-Ultimate-Guide/dp/0879308257

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"A Minnesota Treasure" -- Brandon Baker - swing dancer and vocal jazz fan!!
“…Winsome retro pleaser” -- Tom Surowicz, Star Tribune Newspaper

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Judging from the number of gigs she plays around her hometown, they like her there a lot.  My guess is that with her theatre background, she lights up a stage.  There's much to like on this outing - tracks like, "East Of The Sun And West Of The Moon," Cole Porter's "De-Lovely," and the Mercer Arlen "Out Of This World."

While it doesn't fit the rest of the disc - "Chega de Saudade (No More Blues)" offers a duet with Robert Everest (also on guitar) that stands very well on its own. I'd take it out of the playlist if  you plan to listen to the whole disc, but don't throw it away. Put it on a separate Brazilian music mix.  It's very listenable, just out of place here.

Jay Epstein on drums, Michael O'Brien on Bass, Tanner Taylor (is very good) on piano, and a turn by Steve Roehm on Vibes (on "Daydream") round out a very competent group.  But ultimately, it's all a frame for Ms. Rosholt, her excellent voice, and wonderful phrasing.

And she delivers.

Ms. Rosholt swings nicely on the up-tempo tracks, which stand out more than the ballads; and I'd like to hear her lose the theatre while recording, and relax just a little. But I'm nitpicking. This is a fine first effort from a singer who's only going to get better with time.  Go sample a few at iTunes - this can be purchased ala carte there.

Comparisons to Stacey Kent are appropriate - and a complement, in my book.

By the way - big bonus points for fabulous cover art. In an envelope full of independent releases, this one jumped out and shouted for attention. A reminder to singers who self-publish - always spend the extra buck or two for great cover art. It's what gets you noticed.

Well, by me, anyway.  I'm ready to hear what's next.  My guess is it'll be the first one I open.

For more than one reason, now.

Highly recommended.

Three microphones (out of four)

- Doug Boynton

Rambles – A Cultural Arts Magazine

John R. Lindermuth

February 2007

For those who love jazz standards of the 1930s and '40s, this self-produced album offers a treat. Christine Rosholt combines a great voice, charming attitude and presence to breathe new life into a baker's dozen of old standards. She has an expressive, clear voice and a warm, engaging style. Even on a CD without seeing her on stage, you can tell she really enjoys singing.

She only started her career as a jazz vocalist in 2002 but brings two decades of performance experience to the stage, including theater and singing. A graduate of the Minneapolis Children's Theater Co. & School, she earned a BFA in performance art and photography at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Detour Ahead was nominated as best jazz recording of 2006 by the Minnesota Music Academy, and that should give some indication of its quality. The CD cover shows Rosholt in a perky cloche hat right in style with the music she sings. There may be nothing new in terms of the familiar music on this album -- featuring standards by the likes of Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer and Fats Waller -- but Christine Rosholt is sure to grab the listener's attention.

And, she has the backing of an excellent band: Jay Epstein on drums; Michael O'Brien, bass; Tanner Taylor, piano; Robert Everest, vocal and guitar; and Steve Roehm, vibraphone.

Strutters Quarterly - By Charleston Hepston
A TC Swing publication
Christine Rosholt – Detour Ahead
2006 Idea Dog Productions
SQ Issue: Spring 2006, Volume 16, Issue 2

The Band: Christine Rosholt – vocals; Jay Epstein – drums; Michael O’Brien – bass; Tanner Taylor – piano; Robert Everest – guitar, vocal; Steve Roehm - vibraphone

“On the bandstand, Christine exudes enough warmth and charm to enchant even the most reluctant audience without singing a single note. An audio recording is another matter – the singer must engage the listener solely through her voice and choice of material. ‘Detour Ahead’ succeeds on both accounts.” --- Andrea Canter, liner notes.

Christine Rosholt’s debut CD is a listener’s delight. Her voice is bright and innocent with excellent diction and spot on phrasing. Rosholt has assemble a fantastic rhythm section. These are some of the top Twin Cities musicians and they compliment her vocals quite well. Taylor’s piano solos are top notch. Rosholt’s song selection shows her diverse abilities as a vocalist. You’ll find wonderful jazz standards like I Cover the Waterfront and the title song as well as nice renditions of Bye Bye Blackbird and Honeysuckle Rose. The vibraphone on the latter really spices up the number. Dancers will find both of those “in the pocket” and a playful delight to dance to. From a swing dancer’s perspective, besides the two numbers already mentioned, you may like From This Moment On, a barn burner at 316 bpm’s but fun none-the-less, and Early Autumn, a nice ‘n’ easy tune at 135 bpm’s. Rosholt’s vision of this CD was not necessarily to create a great dance CD but instead to create a great jazz CD, which she has done by compiling some nice swingin’ jazz with some latin rhythms and some bopish tunes, not to mention a couple nice ballads. This is a listener’s delight and a bonus to get a couple swingin’ dance tunes. Jazz enthusiasts will really enjoy this CD. If you are looking strictly for a CD with lots of swing dance music, you may want to pass on this but it is definitely one I am glad to have in my jazz library.

Bottom Line: To buy or not to buy….. JAZZ FANS, BUY! Here’s how: http://www.christinerosholt.net/CDs.html