Real Divas
When some of the biggest international music performers are our Canadian women (Celine Dion, Alanis Morissette, Diana Krall, Shania Twain, Anne Murray, Sarah McLaughlin, Holly Cole, Feist, Joni Mitchell, Avril Lavigne, K.D. Lang) you know there must be something magical in the great Northern drinking water.
"I think Canadian women have a way of defining themselves pretty quickly - they're not copying anybody or caught up in trying to be soul singers or next coming of Frank Sinatra. They are what they are and come to it naturally. I think there's a genuine quality - voices with distinct personalities that connect both emotionally and entertain," says pianist, arranger and founder of Real Divas, Bill King.
Bill King created Real Divas eight years ago in Toronto. Every Tuesday night for fourteen months singers of all ages and abilities climbed the stage and sang a couple numbers before a welcoming but critical audience. Emilie-Claire Barlow, Dionne Taylor, Suzie Vinnick were there as well as Jackie Richardson, Shakura S'Aida, Alex Pangman, Dawn Tyler Watson, Melissa Stylianou, Liberty Silver, and a young singer just out of her first year music program at Humber College at the time, Sophie Milman.
Here it is 2009 and new faces and voices have arrived.
"I've been listening and working with all kinds of singers the past few years and thinking about who would fit into the perfect singing group able to sing jazz to opera, Broadway to the Beatles, Latin – a bit of blues, high-end cabaret and the idea for the group, Real Divas came to mind.
"I'd already worked with singing sensation Sophie Berkal-Sarbit since she was fourteen producing her debut ‘Gypsy In My Soul’ when she was fifteen - Lauren Margison performed when she was 14 years old and with several established singers ( Lori Cullen, Andrea Menard, Karin Plato) in 2006 as part of Real Divas at the Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival and impressed everyone in the near sold out house. Kinga and I launched CTV's fall season the summer of 2007 at the new Opera House and immediately captured a following. Josephine Biundo won the Chin Picnic songwriter of the year a couple seasons back. The two of us worked together on her debut recording –‘Let There Be Love’ which recently garnered top five jazz airplay across Canada in 2008."
With appearances at the Beaches International Jazz Festival, Waterloo Jazz Festival, Living Arts Centre, out west in British Columbia and Saskatchewan, the Royal Ontario Museum and other venues the past several months, Real Divas found time to record their debut – Café Society for the 7 Arts Entertainment label.
In a matter of ten short months Real Divas have transformed into a substantial singing group. Much of the growth can be attributed to an intense work schedule dividing time between concerts and the recording studio.
The four singers: Kinga Victoria, Sophie-Berkal Sarbit, Josephine Biundo and Lauren Margison have found a comfort zone that has allowed the quartet to expand repertoire as well as develop natural interplay between the women. The results are the stunning debut – Café Society – a song penned by the very talented daughter of American icon and jazz critic (the late Leonard Feather) - Lorraine Feather.
The title track tells the story of the jazz legends who passed through New York jazz spot Café Society and Feather’s desire to revisit the era. “ Kinga begins, “ The photograph is fragile in my hand, I stare at them, the singer and the band – They pull me in the way a magic mirror does, and I’m imagining how sweet the music was – I wish with all my heart that I could be – at Café Society.”
The album continues with a Latin re-make of ‘Tea For Two’ al la – Sarah Vaughan –– a group effort on Burt Bacharach’s classic – ‘Walk On By’ – three Duke Ellington originals, ‘We’re Rockin’ n Rhythm’ featuring Josephine Biundo, ‘The 101’ featuring Sophie Berkal-Sarbit, ‘Rhythm, Go Away’ – featuring Lauren Margison. Throughout there are solo moments as Lauren pays respect to her hero Frank Sinatra – ‘Come Fly With Me’ – Sophie gives a steamy laid back reading of ‘Lazy Afternoon’ – Kinga’s swings hard on -‘Call Me Irresponsible’ featuring the splendid saxophone work of Mike Murley and trumpet sensation William Sperandei.
Other gems – Ewan McColl’s heartbreaking ‘First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ – Leonard Bernstein’s ‘ Somewhere’ and a Latin version of ‘How Deep Is the Ocean.’
Café Society is produced and arranged by Bill King for 7 Arts Entertainment. The recording features an stellar cast of front line Canadian jazz musicians: Mike Murley, Kelly Jefferson, Rob Somerville, William Spernadei, Mark Kelso, Sly Juhas, Duncan Hopkins, Jorge Torres ( Papisoco), Bill King.
Real Divas are four young singers who can conjure the spirit of Peggy Lee, swing like Sinatra, touch the heart like Sarah Vaughan, and reach for the bright lights of Broadway. Real Divas present an evening of great songs with a personal touch and youthful vitality.
Coming dates: The National Jazz Awards 2009 – May 14, 2009 – Fleck Theatre, Toronto
Beaches International Jazz Festival – July 26, 2009
Lauren Margison
Seventeen year old Lauren Margison first attracted attention with her singing abilities when she joined the Canadian Childrens’ Opera Chorus in 1999 at the age of seven. Quickly promoted to the principal chorus of the CCOC (2000), usually reserved for young singers between the ages of thirteen and seventeen, Lauren appeared in the mainstage production of the Canadian Opera Company’s production of ‘La Boheme’ in that same year, resulting in her invitations to sing a solo recital at the International Childrens’ Festival at the Harbourfront Centre and to make an appearance on The Tonight Show starring Jay Leno. In 2001, she sang in ‘The Snow Queen’ (CCOC) at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre and appeared as a solo guest artist for the Canadian Opera Volunteer Committee luncheon at the Hummingbird Centre. A highlight of the following year (2002) was her debut performance of ‘Arctic Dreams’, written by Greek/Canadian composer, Christos Hatzis, for Beverley Johnston (percussion), Susan Hoeppner (flute), and Lauren. This took place at the Isabel Bader Theatre in Toronto with the multi-disciplinary theatre company, COLLABORATIONS: A Chamber Arts Experience.
Lauren received critical acclaim (“…Shania and Celine, consider yourselves put on notice…”, Hamilton Spectator, Dec. 2005) as a featured artist for the Opera Ontario Christmas concert, ‘Richard Margison and Friends’ and appeared with distinguished artists Richard Margison, Elaine Overholt, Glenn Morley, and John Fanning. In May 2006 Lauren was invited back to be the featured artist at Opera Ontario’s ‘Champagne Auction’ at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington and was again received with critical acclaim (“…the spicy, seasoned voice of a 30-year-old…”, Hamilton Spectator).
In June 2006, Lauren made her TD Toronto Jazz Festival solo debut as one of the ‘Real Divas’ and shared the stage at Nathan Phillips Square with some of Canada’s great jazz artists. In August 2006 she performed in the highly acclaimed Ottawa Chamber Music Festival in the opening gala concert of the season with her father, Richard Margison.
On January 25, 2007, Lauren appeared as a guest artist with international operatic tenor, Jose Cura, at the Pavilhao Atlantico in Lisbon, Portugal, performing before an audience of 8000 people and a television audience across Europe.
Recent appearances include performing as the ‘Shepherd Boy’ in Opera Hamilton’s production of ‘Tosca’ (May 2007), and a performance at the Princess of Wales Theatre on May 14, 2007, with Ross Petty Productions sharing the stage with distinguished artists such as Louise Pitre, Sheila McCarthy, Rex Harrington, and Mary Walsh. In July, 2007, Lauren made her debut with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra under the direction of Erich Kunzel.
Josephine Biundo
Josephine Biundo is an internationally renowned singer having performed all around the globe. She has reached great heights of success at a very young age and has dazzled audiences with her expressive vocal sty ling and dynamic stage presence. The versatility in Josephine’s repertoire ranges from pop, jazz, musical theatre and even classical. Not to mention her ability to sing in the beautiful Italian language, which Josephine truly has a passion for. Her performances deliver a combination of great standards and original compositions. This five foot brunette exudes confidence and charm and delights fellow musicians and audiences alike. Josephine is truly an elegant and sophisticated performer.
Josephine spent time studying with the top vocal coaches in Canada which helped her versatility in singing different genres of music. It was at this time Josephine started writing her own material. To her wonderful surprise her first original song entitled “Let Me Live Off Your Love,” won first place in the Hamilton Spectator Competition. After wining first place with her original song Josephine gained confidence in her song writing skills and continued to write more. Her next original song won her first place in the prestigious CHIN original song competition. Where she won with her song entitled “Io Vivo Per Te.”
And since then Josephine continues to take first place at CHIN. In 2005 with her original song “Io Non Ti Penso Piu” and most recently in 2006 with her song entitled “Adesso Mi Trovo.” Josephine decided to take the opportunity with her original Italian songs and compete in Italy at the International original song competition and was pleased to be the first runner up with her original song “Io vivo per te.”
Josephine also has a passion for jazz and just recently graduated with honours from the Mohawk college jazz music program. Where she was able to study with such professional and amazing musicians. She also had the opportunity to work with the Mohawk college big band under the direction of Dave McMurdo. She is currently working with the All Star jazz big band and traveling to Europe with them for many exciting performances. Josephine also has her first c.d. out ‘Let There Be Love.’
Kinga Victoria
At 4 months, as Kinga was getting baptized and screamed out her first note, the priest said that she was going to be a singer. It was three years later when Kinga sang her first song and won first place in the Children’s competition that her parents realized just how right he was.
Born in Poland in 1979 to parents Roman and Krystina and younger sister to Sylvia. Kinga lived in Poland for five years before moving to Holland Amsterdam in 1986. She resided there until December of that same year and then immigrated to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada where she quickly picked up the language and is fluent in both.
Kinga found herself stung with a particular affinity for the sound of jazz rather early as she was first introduced to the world of jazz by none other then her mother who would constantly play songs by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, the Platters, and other jazz greats. With her father, still to this day, playing in his own cabaret, it was difficult for Kinga not to be immersed into the soothing sounds of jazz as a child.
Kinga has long established herself as a rather versatile vocalist, with a studied background in both classical and contemporary music as well as classical piano and voice theory by the age of thirteen. Kinga began sharing her gift through recitals and musical competitions shortly thereafter. From pop to jazz, she has gained a true appreciation for the latter and developed great admiration for the jazz greats of yesterday and today. Naturally, Kinga has found her element in the spotlight, paying homage to her musical influences. Natalie Cole, Sarah Vaughan, Diana Krall, Dianne Reeves, Renee Lee and the incomparable Ella Fitzgerald as they all have homes in her repertoire. It was in high school where she performed her first ever jazz song with ‘West Berlin’; a jazz band which her and three friends put together. West Berlin continued to perform in and around the Ottawa area, but unfortunately broke up when high school came to an end and Universities/Colleges came into play. Kinga also sang with an Ottawa band called ‘The Brian Downey Big Band’ as a fill in at some clubs and the Tulip Festival in April of 1998
Eventually, providence and her love for music brought Kinga to Humber College, where she would continue to refine her vocal talents through uncounted hours of instruction and dedication rehearsal. Kinga soon managed to find herself studying under numerous professionals such as Trish Colter, Lisa Martinelli, and Lisa Sullivan. Building on her extensive training, she would go on to perform with contemporary icons like Renee Rosnes, Guido Basso, and the legendary Don Thompson. Fortune followed quickly, and found Kinga lending her vocals to Don Thompson and his own jazz ensemble, as well as Denny Christianson’s Big Band at Humber College.
In her 3rd year of college , Kinga worked at the Merriam school of Music in Mississauga and taught in-home voice, piano, theory and ear training lessons to 25 students aged 6-45. A year later, in 2003, Kinga worked at Studio Arts in and again taught voice, theory, ear training and improvisation to 30 kids aged 5-15 in studio.
Throughout Ontario, Kinga can regularly be found performing live with her trio, quartet or quintet at various establishments of well repute. Alongside her, are long time as well as recent Juno award winner Don Thompson for ‘Best Traditional Jazz Album’, as well as the likes of Bill King, Terry Clarke, Jim Vivian, Reg Schwager, Kelly Jefferson, Ted Quinlan and Richard Whiteman to name a few. In fact, chances are you may have already seen, and heard her waxing lyrical at select restaurants, pubs, lounges, private parties, weddings, arena’s, stadiums and summer festivals.
Accomplishments in the summer of 2006 included a top 100 finish at Canadian Idol for the second year in a row, a 2 song duet with legendary Jeff Healey live at Healey’s Bar in downtown Toronto, the singing of the American and Canadian national anthems at a Toronto Blue Jays game to a crowd of 36 000+ as well as the Canadian anthem in partial French for a Montreal Canadians vs. Toronto Maple Leafs televised hockey game to a sold out crowd of 18 980. The fall brought much of the same…the singing of the national anthems at a couple of Toronto Raptors game, a Toronto Marlies game, a Hockey Night In Canada Nationally televised performance and the completion of her long awaited and highly anticipated debut album!
Through perpetually immersing herself in the industry, and with established musicians, Kinga maintains aspirations of one day headlining her own events, with a very avant grade approach to her performing. It seems rare to find someone like Kinga who manages to elevate jazz beyond mere music to an indisputable art form; a thing of beauty worthy of an eager ear. If her love and dedication for jazz are any indication, then it will not be long before the music community sits up and takes careful notice of this young star waiting to shine.
currently working on her second album.
Sophie Berkal-Sarbit
At just 18, Sophie Berkal-Sarbit has already made a dynamic impression on the Canadian jazz scene. Her debut CD, 'The Gypsy in My Soul,' was produced and arranged by the renowned Bill King and released last April. The album received rave reviews in the National Post, the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, and the Winnipeg Free Press among others and rested in the top ten of several charts for many weeks. Her music has been played throughout Canada on CBC airwaves and on hundreds of jazz shows from west to eastern coasts. She has been featured on national CBC television, ET Canada, and many local provincial shows. Sophie has become a well-known local artist who has performed at the Winnipeg Jazz Festival, the Toronto Jazz Festival, and the Beaches Jazz Festival. And, if you haven’t heard of Sophie in Canada, don’t be surprised if you hear her in Japan as her CD was licensed this year for distribution there. And through Radio Direct, Sophie is getting airplay in Australia, Italy, the United States, Netherlands, and as far off as Bosnia. In the fall, she begins touring with Bill King’s Real Diva series throughout the country.
For bookings - Bill King Trio/Real Divas contact Live Tour Artists - Tom Treumuth
Toll Free: 1 (866) 400-1003 X 237
Tel: (905) 844-0097
Fax: (905) 844-9839
tom@livetourartists.com
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