BIOGRAPHY PAGE

TERRY BLAINE
Vocals

Jazz vocalist Terry Blaine was born in NYC, and has been singing virtually all of her life. Embracing both pop and classical styles, it was not until after she graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Buffalo with a BA in Music that she chose to trade in her flute for a microphone. As a singer and musician, she has enjoyed a multi-faceted career that includes live performances, recordings, studio work, television and radio shows, musical composition, songwriting and production. Her unique interpretations of classic jazz standards have brought her international attention and recognition as one of the few contemporary female jazz singers performing the hot small-band swing material from the 1930s.

Forging a fresh link in the regal chain that recalls the tradition of Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters, and others, Terry's style of singing is a gentle, swinging reminder of who we were and where we came from, instilled with a spirit that only genuine affection can inspire. Her collaboration with classic jazz pianist Mark Shane, which began with a three-and-a-half year duo engagement at Café Society in Greenwich Village, led to the CD "Whose Honey Are You," a Jazz Journal International Record of the Year. With support from enthusiastic fans and radio stations all around the country, a pair of sold-out, breakthrough concerts launched the duo into the larger world of concert appearances and touring. A second CD, "Terry Blaine in Concert," was released, featuring hot swing clarinet player Allan Vache. The group has since performed at prestigious venues such as the Pabst Theater in WI, Sarasota Opera House in FL, Norris Center in Palos Verdes, Carpenter Center in Long Beach, and the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee in CA.

A concert CD, "With Thee I Swing," was recorded in Germany for the Nagel-Heyer label in 1997. An accompanying live show and CD called "Too Hot for Words," a tribute to the Great Ladies of Swing with songs by Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and others, was a smash, taking them around the world and back again, playing to packed houses everywhere from Germany to Cleveland, Boca to Bella Vista, AR. Terry and Mark’s acclaimed duo CD "Lonesome Swallow," returned them to their roots as a duo, and acknowledges the influence of the great Ethel Waters and James P. Johnson duo recordings from the late 1920s.

In 2005, Terry, Mark and Allan released “Swingin’ the Benny Goodman Songbook”, a nod to the hot swing style that Benny made famous, and the many great female singers who performed with Benny’s band. Their whirlwind tour as a trio or quintet included the Caesarea Festival in Israel, a host of prestigious performing arts centers around the US, a variety of festivals, clubs, jazz parties, and an annual sold-out cruise. Terry is also a Board-Certified Music Therapist, and produces a concert each year in support of the Healing Voices, Caring Hearts Fund to benefit music therapy at Hospice, Inc. Visit Terry on the web at www.terryblaine.com