NEW YORK (Verve
Music Group) - On Tuesday,
September 14, 2004, GRP Records will release "Come As You Are," a new album from fast-rising contemporary jazz star, Mindi Abair. The CD features 11 songs that explore modern pop and traditional jazz with equal flair and prowess, each highlighted by Abair's unique style.
The album gets off to a quick start with the uptempo title track, showcasing Abair's already distinctive saxophone tone and overall sound. The next track, "Shine," is a deeply-grooving number that makes you tap your feet and nod your head without even knowing it. Another funky tune is the down-and-dirty, "Sticks and Stones."
"Come As You Are" is the much-anticipated follow-up to Mindi's hugely popular GRP Records debut, "It Just Happens That Way." The album launched the groundbreaking No 1 hit single "Lucy's" and has sold over 100,000 copies so far.
On that album, Abair only hinted at her talents as a vocalist with her rendition of Eagle-Eye Cherry's "Save Tonight." But on "Come As You Are," she truly shines with three original vocal numbers, all co-written with her longtime friend and frequent collaborator, Matthew Hager, who is also the album's producer. "I Can Remember" is a heartfelt and pretty song, while "You'll Never Know" is flirty and sensual with light tropical touches. The true highlight is the radio-friendly "Every Time," on which Abair presents honest, vulnerable lyrics with her gentle singing, creating a true pop gem.
While Mindi has her feet firmly planted in the world of pop music (the Berklee College of Music grad has toured with the likes of Duran Duran, Mandy Moore, and the Backstreet Boys), she remains passionate for her foundation in the traditional jazz idiom. She has two straight-up jazz numbers on this record, the hidden track "26 Hemenway" (so named for her address at Berklee) and the cinematic, big-band jam of "New Shoes," which features Lance Abair, Mindi's dad and earliest musical influence, on tenor saxophone.
Mindi further demonstrates the range of her talent and style with the beautiful instrumental, "Cyan," a poignant ballad tastefully accented by a string quartet.
Following the release of "Come As You Are," Mindi will perform in select West Coast cities, including a stay at Seattle's Dimitriou's Jazz Alley. In November, she will travel throughout the U. S. as part of Peter White's annual Christmas tour. (Dates listed on reverse.) For updates, visit www.grp.com.
Mindi Abair "Come As You Are" [B0002527-02] available on CD September 14, 2004.
MINDI ABAIR FALL 2004 TOUR
Sun. 9/26/04 - Hyatt Regency La Jolla - San Diego, CA
Sat. 10/09/04 - Greek Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
Sat. 10/16/04 - Spring Mountain State Park - Las Vegas, NV
Sat. 10/23/04 - Cricket Pavillion - Phoenix, AZ
Tues. 11/2/04 - Cricket Pavillion - Phoenix, AZ
Wed. 11/3/04 - Yoshi's - Oakland, CA
Thu. 11/04/04 - Yoshi's - Oakland, CA
Sun. 11/07/04 - Dimitriou's Jazz Alley - Seattle, WA
Fri. 11/26/04 - Spreckels Theater - San Diego, CA*
Sat. 11/27/04 - Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe - Incline Village, NV*
Sun. 11/28/04 - St. Regis Resort - Dana Point, CA*
Wed. 12/01/04 - Florida Theater - Jacksonville, FL*
Thu. 12/02/04 - Ruth Eckerd Hall - Clearwater, FL*
Fri. 12/03/04 - Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort - Destin, FL*
Sat. 12/04/04 - Robert Ferst Center for the Arts - Atlanta, GA*
Mon. 12/06/04 - Lyric Theatre - Stuart, FL*
Tue. 12/07/04 - Rams Head Tavern - Annapolis, MD*
Wed. 12/08/04 - Birchmere - Alexandria, VA*
Thu. 12/09/04 - Scottish Rite Cathedral - West Reading, PA*
Fri. 12/10/04 - IMAC - Huntington, NY*
Sat. 12/11/04 - Lyman Center for the - Performing Arts New Haven, CT*
Sun. 12/12/04 - Norris Arts Center - St. Charles, IL*
Mon. 12/13/04 - Northern Lights Theatre - Milwaukee, WI*
Wed. 12/15/04 - Playhouse Square Center/Allen - Theatre Cleveland, OH*
Sun. 12/19/04 - Sanam Sue Phra - Bangkok, Thailand
* date is with A Peter White Christmas tour featuring Rick Braun and Mindi Abair
