Paul Bodden: Stories & News

A TRIBUTE TO JAZZ LEGEND BARBARA LEA
I was a privileged to speak at this wonderful event honoring and benefiting Barbara at The Laurie Beechman Theatre on July 25, 2008.

What a line up! Some the top names in Jazz and Cabaret came out to pay tribute to this very special and beloved singer. They included Bob Dorough, Steve Ross, Daryl Sherman, Ronny Whyte, The Loren Schoenberg Big Band, Marlene VerPlanck, Keith Ingham and Annie Dinerman, among others. Sue Matsuki and Karen Oberlin did a great job both as performers and as the organizers of the evening.

Do visit Barbara’s website and buy her CDs or even contribute to her fund at <http://www.barbaralea.com/>

14 newly minted Blues, Jazz, and Gospel-flavored songs by New York City Cabaret and Theater composer-songwriter Paul Bodden, sung with a distinctive voice, expressed with an open heart, and observed with a keen eye for the ridiculous and absurd.

I had a great time recording this CD. Laying down the vocal and piano tracks was fun, pleasurable and easy, thanks to the superb musical supervision of maestro Seth Weinstein on the ivories and the advice, expertise and enthusiasm of engineer, Chip M. Fabrizi of PPI Recording here in New York City.

About the title: I had done a cabaret act at Helen’s Hideaway Room in 2005 that had the same name. My song, “I Lose My Heart”, is the one that has been sung most often by other singers. Then, what with the Stolen Heart, Lost Head and Errant Nose featured in the other songs, it seemed like a no-brainer (oops…)