Claude Mouton - double bass, Alain Jean-Marie - piano, Sean-Gourley - guitar, Susanna Bartilla - vocals
Influences
Peggy Lee, Chet Baker, Julie London, Mel Tormé
Sounds Like
The Berlin born Parisian jazz singer Susanna Bartilla was raised to the sounds of The Great American Songbook, but also the more cabaret like tones of Marlene Dietrich and the Comedian Harmonists, as well as German standards by Zarah Leander and Hilde Knef.
In her newly released CD “So viel Glück – So Lucky” she blends these influences into a rousing, jazzy rendition of some of the greatest music ever composed during the Golden Age of German Songwriting, at last giving those marvelous tunes the swinging treatment they have been craving.
“The entirely new yet completely natural arrangements enhance the poignant melodies and rich harmonies of these immortal evergreens. It felt like polishing a wealth of raw diamonds. Singing for the first time in my mother tongue made me experience the emotional depth of the lyrics with an immediacy that came as a shock. I feel privileged to be able to convey those emotions and bring a fabulous repertoire to the attention of a whole new audience.”
WHAT REVIEWERS SAY ABOUT MY NEW CD
JazzHot Magazine
This remarkable record is chockfull of great jazz music. Susanna proves a natural swinger and a very talented singer. Her wonderfully warm voice with velvet low tones tells of singular, precious moments, right out of real life; a brilliant performer with a bright future. Mônica Passos
A very stylish CD. Susanna sounds like a silky siren with a star-studded, velvety voice. Prestige Audio magazine
This is my absolute fave CD this month. Susanna Bartilla sings great standards in German as well as English and shows the world that good jazz knows no boundaries. Four Stars! Radio Jazz Plus
"So viel Glück" is a genuine, pure diamond. Thank you for sharing your talent!
La chanteuse de jazz berlinoise Susanna Bartilla interprète dans sa langue maternelle, ainsi qu’en français et en anglais les grands standards de jazz américains et les plus beaux titres des célèbres compositeurs allemands des années d’or, quand Berlin était la capitale culturelle de l’Europe et les nombreux spectacles rivalisaient de joie de vivre et d’inventivité.
La gaîté côtoie la mélancolie et l’on est saisi par la pertinence de cette musique, étonnamment actuelle, qui raconte avec des mots justes les vrais thèmes de la vie en quelques mesures.
C’est sans doute de son grand-père gitan qu’elle tient ce swing si naturel et l’émotion authentique qui la singularisent. Et c’est très certainement son père saxophoniste, une des figures emblématiques du jazz à Berlin, qui lui fait très tôt trouver la voix du jazz, sa langue paternelle.
Susanna donne régulièrement des concerts à l’esprit intimiste et convivial.
« Avec sa belle voix de contralto on ne peut plus jazz, veloutée dans les graves et chaleureuse, Susanna nous relate ses moments de grâce, ses instants choisis, avec talent et avec une technique affirmée, passant d'une langue à l'autre avec une apparente facilité. Susanna Bartilla est une chanteuse avec qui il va falloir compter. »
Michel Bedin (Jazz Hot)
Susanna ist schon als Kind häufiger Gast bei jedem Jazz-Frühschoppen in ihrer Heimat Berlin mit der gesamten siebenköpfigen Familie, zu deren Freunden das Trevor-Richards-Trio und Mitglieder der Blue Bayou und der White Eagle zählen.
Mit 18 geht Susanna nach Paris, wo sie neben dem Dolmetschstudium auch klassischen Gesang studiert. Die Begegnung mit der Pariser Jazz-Szene lässt nicht lange auf sich warten und inzwischen tritt sie regelmäßig in den Pariser Clubs mit einer ausgefeilten Mischung ihrer Lieblings-Standards auf: Swing, Blues und Balladen, denen es gelingt, mit den richtigen Worten und Noten Geschichten aus dem wahren Leben zu erzählen.
Hi Susanna my dear new friend! I am so glad that my music made you feel good! There is no greater compliment for me :). I am not in the wildfire zone this time but thank you for your concern. If you come out to Hollywood please be my guest at any of my shows and perhaps sing a little song with me. May Joy and Love fill your heart to overflowing every day. Bless you, bobby
Great singing & music Susanna. Thanks for becoming a new friend...so keep up the excellent work & pls keep in touch...!!! My best rgds, Doug Thomas New Zealand
Hey, it's your fair-weather friend in NYC. We've posted a new song "Living In A Mike Leigh World" If you get a chance give it a listen .... see what you think. Why Mike Leigh? See the blog. Hope all is well
How are you? Are you coming to London again soon? Will you be back in December to perform at the Women's venue in Berkeley Square? I promise to visit you very soon.
Do you like the new tracks I have up here? The top one is an original by my friend Simon Wallace who plays piano on the tracks too.
Hallo Susanna!!! Adieu vacances ,mais heureux de ton retour dans notre capitale. J'espère que tu reviendras bientôt nous retrouver dans notre programme... D'ailleurs j'ai une nouvelle idée à ce sujet-là... A tout bientôt,schüss!!! Jacques from JazzBox Program-online:www.aligrefm.org
Heya Susanna, sorry, hab dir lange nichts mehr geschrieben (schäm!).Ich hoffe, es geht dir gut und wünsche dir einen fantastischen Tag! Ganz, ganz liebe Grüße aus Berlin! Gil
Thank you for the kind and beautiful comment my sweet Susanna! I will dazzle them like no one has done before my friend!....Lots of Hoochie Coochie love...Mojo!
Susanna~ Imagine my delight upon receiving my copy of So viel Gluck (imagine further my having correctly included the umlaut in the rendering of the CD's title!).... Yet that paled in comparison to the sheer pleasure of placing it gently but purposefully into rotation, the sudden (international) culture I so blatantly lack filling my home, and the fabulous sense of ecstasy as I surrendered to the seduction that is your voice in song... And though now spent from the experience, I will arise again tomorrow to regain that powerfully addictive satisfaction that you and your music perpetuate so effortlessly... With Gratitude, Rich
Hello Susanna! Je te souhaite un très bon concert samedi, auquel je ne pourrai pas assister, mais bises aux copains et plein de bises à toi!! A bientôt; Hidé
Hi susanna danke dir für deine freundschaft ja wir haben sicherlich gemeinsame einflüße ich Liebe auch den Jazz,und du hast eine wundervolle Stimme. Liebe Grüße Helmut--gitarrist AMAZING ROUTES BAND LIVIN CROWD BAND
I am convinced more than luck was involved in my welcome discovery of Susanna. Her irresistible voice accompanied by impeccable musicians who are both responsive to and seamlessly integrated with her often sanguine, always genuinely entrancing and timeless interpretations make a compelling, even addictive, rich treat. The multi-culturally influenced, sensitively rendered and subtly nuanced offerings, articulately delivered and refreshingly original, bring fresh perspectives while breathing new life into time-honored melodies and lyrics, effortlessly birthed. Despite a prominent familial music heritage, her vocal art feels more like that of an "old soul," one who has herself, early on (long before the fullness of her sojourn), grasped the breadth and irony of the spectrum of life’s journey and the attendant joys or sorrows (as well as perspectives) we encounter along the way. I am already better for the discovery and appreciate the opportunity to be counted among your devotees! Avec l'appréciation pour une qui est fluent dans les nombreuses langues de l'amour... Rich
Hey Susanna How are you today? It is a gloriously sunny day here and I'm just heading out for coffee with a musician friend in Spitalfields Market. I love your photo for Skylark, very Ute Lemper! (You look a bit like her anyway). Have you got any gig dates in August? I may be able to come over then. Han xxx
Gracias a tí,querida Susanna.No solo te admiro como a una gran estrella de la canción, sino como a una maravillosa amiga.Recibe todo mi cariño y respeto.José.
Merci Susanna pour cette agréable réponse!J'ai apprécié tes différentes interprétations "chantantes et swinguantes"...Au plaisir de t'écouter à nouveau.Amitié.RPS
