Roberta Donnay

March 3, 2023

Music Man by Robert Nicosia

“Donnay has created a wonderful sound and when combined with her superb phrasing makes anything she sings perfect for the listener.”

http://www.musicmanblog.com/

January 2, 2023

Jazz History Online by Thomas Cunniffe

“Donnay effectively fuses her own style with Dearie’s, finding a delicate center point where both elements are still clearly recognized. A lovely tribute to a classic singer.”

https://jazzhistoryonline.com/2022s-best-of-the-rest-vocal-cd-reviews/

December 19, 2022

Jazziz: The Week in Jazz

https://www.jazziz.com/samara-joy-terri-lyne-carrington-snarky-puppy-more-the-week-in-jazz/

Roberta Donnay, BLOSSOM-ing! (Village Jazz Cafe): Vocalist Roberta Donnay celebrates Blossom Dearie, one of the most iconic jazz voices of the second half of the 20th century. BLOSSOM-ing! finds Donnay reimagining 16 songs closely associated with Dearie, adding her own sassy, bluesy interpretations, alongside some of Northern California’s finest musicians.

December 15, 2022

Music Log by Michael Doherty

“There is something so adorable and seductive about Roberta Donnay’s delivery that I just melt. Roberta Donnay’s vocal performance has an endearing honesty.”

https://michaelsmusiclog.blogspot.com/2022/12/roberta-donnay-blossom-ing-2022-cd.html

December 15, 2022

JazzTimes by Andrew Gilbert

“With her small, pliable, deceptively sweet sound, Donnay possesses an ideal instrument to evoke the wit of Blossom Dearie… a particularly felicitous pairing.”

https://jazztimes.com/reviews/albums/roberta-donnay-blossom-ing-village-jazz-cafe/

December 12, 2022

JazzWeekly by George Harris

“If anyone is qualified to give tribute to the quirky but swinging Blossom Dearie, it is the quirky but swinging ex-Hot Lick Roberta Donnay. She knows how to have fun on some well-chosen and delivered Dearie delights.”

https://www.jazzweekly.com/2022/12/women-of-the-wordroberta-donnay-blossoming-samara-joy-linger-awhile/

December 6, 2022

L.A. Jazz Scene by Scott Yanow

“In addition to her excellent bluesy singing, Roberta Donnay proved to be quite humorous, ad-libbing plenty of funny comments between songs. She did full justice to Dearie’s musical legacy, in addition to showing the audience a fun time.”

https://lajazzscene.buzz/

December 5, 2022

Scott Yanow’s Best of 2022 CDs – Blossom-ing!

December 1, 2022

DownBeat Magazine by J. Poet

“Roberta Donnay has an intimate vocal style, with a warm low end… Donnay’s treatment of more obscure tunes shine as showcases for her delivery and the subtle piano work of Mike Greensill.”

November 14, 2022

LA Jazz Scene by Scott Yanow

“A very enjoyable release by a top-notch jazz singer paying homage to a unique voice. Like Maria Muldaur, Donnay brings a bluesy style and a sweet voice to everything that she performs, no matter what the idiom.”

https://lajazzscene.buzz/waxing-poetic-reviews/

November 3, 2022

Bebop Spoken Here (UK) by Lance Liddle

“Blossom lived in France for some years - and Roberta's voice could have made her the toast of present day Pigalle had she chosen to relocate to Paris. If you loved Blossom you'll love this and, if you also love Roberta you'll love it even more! A gem.”

https://lance-bebopspokenhere.blogspot.com/2022/10/album-review-roberta-donnay-blossom-ing.html#more

November 3, 2022

All About Jazz by Pierre Giroux

“Vocalist Roberta Donnay is celebrating the irrepressible Dearie with a tribute album entitled Blossom-ing Donnay's interpretations captures her fundamental quality… an evocative celebration of a unique interpreter of words and music.”

https://www.allaboutjazz.com/blossom-ing-roberta-donnay-self-produced__14752

October 31, 2022

Culture Mania (Netherlands) by Patrick van de Wiele

“A perfect way to commemorate Blossom Dearie with a light approach. A tribute that captures Dearie's essence in 16 songs!”

https://www.cultuurmania.com/music

October 30, 2022

Broadway World by Ricky Pope

“She has captured Blossom Dearie's gift for playful storytelling and interplay between vocalist and instrumentalist. Her album is a joy to listen to from start to finish.”

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/ALBUM-REVIEW-Roberta-Donnay-BLOSSOM-ING-is-a-Delightful-Way-to-Spend-a-Rainy-Afternoon-20221029

October 27, 2022

Sound Advice/Talkin’ Broadway by Rob Lester

“Donnay successfully channels the late lady's sweet, small sound and implied-smile style… a dialed-back Donnay here has a tender tone. Without feeling forced or like an impersonator relying on disrespectful exaggeration, the timbre captures the endearing Dearie voice, which was often described as airy and "little girl"-like. It's nice to see (and hear) that the school of singing taught by class act Blossom Dearie, has alumni.”

https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/sound/october2722.html

October 27, 2022

All About Jazz by Jack Bowers ****

“Every song is admirable in its own way, and Donnay makes them breathe with warmth and awareness. Like Dearie's, her voice is well-suited to the music, and her interpretations are earnest and persuasive.”

https://www.allaboutjazz.com/blossom-ing-roberta-donnay-self-produced

October 26, 2022

JW Vibe by Jonathan Widran

“A magnificent tribute album… it’s simply hard to imagine any other contemporary singer doing justice to the legacy of Dearie. There’s plenty of glorious blossoming to be discovered.”

https://www.jwvibe.com/single-post/roberta-donnay-blossom-ing

October 26, 2022

Making a Scene by Jim Hynes

“Donnay does a great job of capturing Dearie’s light, breezy, endearing style while adding her own sassy blues approach to these songs. Listen to Donnay’s relaxed, poised phrasing on “Someone to Watch Over Me” as just one example to gain an appreciation for her skilled jazz vocals or her alluring, whispery take on “A Paris.” For the playful, sexy approach, head for ‘Peel Me a Grape.’”

https://www.makingascene.org/roberta-donnay-blossom-ing/?fbclid=IwAR2BD0VNO5NXUz7BivNfHPq9mQwY4wIbC01gpw5bYauEbcToDCjoO2xoK0M

October 25, 2022

Sounds of Timeless Jazz by Paula Edelstein

“Roberta Donnay not only pays a great tribute to Blossom Dearie but fulfills her own ambitions as one of today’s most admired interpreters of Dearie’s repertoire.”

http://www.soundsoftimelessjazz.com/

October 22, 2022

Jazziz Magazine New Release Cheat Sheet by Michael Fagien

Roberta Donnay, BLOSSOM-ing! (Village Jazz Cafe)

Vocalist Roberta Donnay celebrates Blossom Dearie, one of the most unique jazz voices of the second half of the 20th century. On BLOSSOM-ing!, Donnay reimagines 16 songs closely associated with Dearie, while adding her own sassy, bluesy interpretations, alongside some of Northern California’s finest jazz musicians.

https://www.jazziz.com/lujo-asiatico-louis-armstrong-tom-skinner-more-new-release-cheat-sheet/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=JAZZIZ+Daily%3A+New+Release+Cheat+Sheet&utm_campaign=JAZZIZ+Daily%3A+October+21%2C+2022+%28New+Release+Cheat+Sheet%29&vgo_ee=pASgBCTFsc1z%2BqHOzXPc8uN1wFiBc%2BKNGiN7DD0gcdw%3D

October 20, 2022

Sunday Jazz with Marty Friedman

Roberta Donnay

Is it obvious from the title of her new CD, BLOSSOM-ing, that Ms. Donnay pays tribute to Blossom Dearie? She chose 16 songs associated with Dearie for the album, written by various composers and lyricists: Peel Me A Grape, Spring In Manhattan, The Party’s Over, Moonlight Savings Time, Just One Of Those Things, Someone To Watch Over Me. And there's at least one more - Inside a Silent Tear - my favorite of the bunch. It kicks off the New for You hour at 9am ET. I noticed this song is getting covered a lot lately, as it should. Add this version to the list of well-done covers.

https://www.martyfriedmanjazz.com/2022/10/the-sunday-jazz-brunch-presents-best.html

October 20, 2022

Jersey Jazz by Joe Lang (November issue)

“Those who have enjoyed Blossom Dearie should find this tribute a fitting one indeed, and hopefully, become inclined to search out Donnay’s other recordings.” (no link yet)

FULL REVIEW:

Blossom Dearie has been an inspiration for many vocalists.  Her voice was unique, but it was the way that she conveyed the lyrics that she sang and her choice of material, especially her propensity for unearthing gems that had been too often overlooked, that put her in a special place.  Bay-area vocalist ROBERTA DONNAY has recorded many vintage pop songs with her group, The Prohibition Mob.  On Blossom-ing (Village Jazz Café – 2502), Donnay celebrates songs associated with Blossom Dearie.  As was typical of a Dearie performance, there is a mixture of familiar standards like “Just One of Those Things,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “The Party’s Over” and “Put on a Happy Face;” good songs that too often fly under the radar such as “Moonlight Savings Time,” “If I Were a Bell,” “You Fascinate Me So,” “I Wish You Love” and “It Amazes Me;” rarely sung jewels, “Peel Me a Grape,” “Spring in Manhattan” and “Unless It’s You;” and songs which Dearie had a hand in writing, “Inside a Silent Tear” and “A Paris.”  Donnay has a voice that suggests, but does not channel Dearie.  She has certainly learned a lot about how to evoke the spirit of each lyric that she sings from Dearie’s interpretations.  Those who have enjoyed Blossom Dearie should find this tribute a fitting one indeed, and hopefully, become inclined to search out Donnay’s other recordings.  (robertadonnay.com)

October 15, 2022

Musical Memoirs by Dee Dee McNeil

“Blossom-ing! is a fresh labor of love for Donnay, who features a similar vocal style as her predecessor, but adds her own sassy tone and bluesy interpretation to this repertoire. Roberta Donnay is simply unique in her style, solid in her presentation and honest in her delivery.”

https://musicalmemoirs.wordpress.com/

October 15, 2022

The Jazz Owl by Travis Rogers, Jr.

“Emotional and sultry, witty and warm, and everything you could wish to hear in a vocal jazz album. This is a work of extraordinary charm and beauty.”

http://travisrogersjr.weebly.com/music-reviews/roberta-donnay-is-blossom-ing

October 5, 2022

Jazziz Magazine – 10 Albums You Need to Know for October 2022

Roberta Donnay, BLOSSOM-ing! (Village Jazz Cafe)

Release date: October 21

Vocalist Roberta Donnay celebrates Blossom Dearie, one of the most unique jazz voices of the second half of the 20th century. On BLOSSOM-ing!, Donnay reimagines 16 songs closely associated with Dearie, while adding her own sassy, bluesy interpretations, alongside some of Northern California’s finest jazz musicians.

https://www.jazziz.com/10-albums-you-need-to-know-october-2022/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=JAZZIZ+Daily%3A+10+Albums+You+Need+to+Know+for+October+2022&utm_campaign=JAZZIZ+Daily+October+5%2C+2022+%2810+Albums+You+Need+to+Know%29&vgo_ee=MqymJNx2jOKsM3brCi3b20zkASpiHornD%2Fz2wZTd1jg%3D

September 22, 2022

Keys & Chords Announcement

https://www.keysandchords.com/news-blog/vocalist-roberta-donnay-celebrates-blossom-dearie-on-her-10th-album-with-blossom-ing