Search - Jon Secada :: Expressions

Expressions
Jon Secada
Expressions
Genres: Jazz, Latin Music
 
  •  Track Listings (15) - Disc #1

The voice is unmistakable. That velvety croon, with — tinges of R&B and jazz that can swiftly go from humor--one can almost hear the smile--to — unabashed, suave romance, has become a trademark for Grammy Award winning s...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Jon Secada
Title: Expressions
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Secada Productions
Original Release Date: 1/1/2009
Re-Release Date: 9/22/2009
Genres: Jazz, Latin Music
Styles: Latin Jazz, Latin Pop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 016581640023

Synopsis

Product Description
The voice is unmistakable. That velvety croon, with
tinges of R&B and jazz that can swiftly go from humor--one can almost hear the smile--to
unabashed, suave romance, has become a trademark for Grammy Award winning singer and
songwriter, Jon Secada. On September 22, 2009, Secada returns to his roots (no, not his Latin
roots, his Jazz roots) with the release of Expressions: The Jazz Album (The Orchard), which
will coincide with the kick-off of a week-long engagement at Feinstein's at Loews Regency in
New York, a national PBS television special with Jim Brickman (Beautiful World) and, his
fourth season starring on Latin American Idol.

Jon Secada is known by millions as an international superstar who has sold over 20 million
records worldwide, written and produced his own hits as well as those for such artists as Gloria
Estefan, Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez. What many do not know is that Jon received his
Master's Degree in Jazz Vocal Performance from the University of Miami and finds much of his
musical inspiration and passion for this album from such vocalists at Tony Bennett, Frank
Sinatra, Johnny Hartman and Joe Williams.

Expressions: The Jazz Album is a stunning collection of new songs, classic standards and
Secada hits - all with a twist and Jon's own jazz-flavored arrangements. Songs include the
evergreen favorites Chances Are and What A Wonderful World, the Secada hits Angel and
Just Another Day and, some new tunes including Find Me In Your Dreams, a touching
tribute to his children. In addition, Jon is joined by such legendary and respected musicians as
Mike Levine (piano), Alex Berti (bass) and Lee Levin (drums), as well as featured guest
performances by Dave Koz (tenor saxophone), Ed Calle (tenor and soprano saxophone) and
Jason Carder (trumpet).

After starting his career as a songwriter and background vocalist for superstar Gloria Estefan,
Jon's 1992 self-titled debut album sold more than six million copies worldwide and was certified
triple platinum in the U.S.A, where it reached No. 15 on the Billboard 200 chart. He later scored
a Top 5 hit with the single Just Another Day, and three more top 30 hits, Angel, I'm Free,
and Do You Believe in Us? The Spanish-language version of the album, Otro Dia Mas Sin
Verte, became the Number One Latin album of 1992 and earned Jon his first Grammy Award,
for Best Latin Pop Album. This landmark success was followed in 1994 by Jon's second album,
Heart Soul and Voice, which went Platinum in the U.S.A. and spun off the Top 10 hit If You
Go and a Top 30 hit Mental Picture. His third album, Amor, was released in 1995 and
earned the singer his second Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Performance.

Jon, a musician who is always on the cutting edge, is followed by more than 300,000 members
on Twitter, and can be seen live during a week-long preview of material from Expressions at
the intimate club, Feinstein's at Loews Regency, in New York from September 15 through
September 19, 2009
 

CD Reviews

Perfect Self-EXPRESSION
Gordon Mahon | Washington D.C | 09/26/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Following Jon Secada's music and career over the years, I believe he has recorded the album he has wanted to produce for a longtime. It makes sense considering that he studied and obtained a Master's Degree in Jazz Vocal Performance at the University of Miami. Since that time he has had a couple of occasions to exercise his jazz vocal skills: (1) Amor (1995) [Grammy Award], (2) Dave Grusin Presents West Side Story (1997) ["Somewhere"]. Now finally in 2009, Mr. Secada has given us an exceptionally entertaining and beautiful jazz album. This is not a smooth jazz album; this is a true straight-ahead jazz album (think Joe Williams, Mel Torme, and Kurt Elling). "Expressions", a live recording- which gives it a very warm and intimate jazz club feel, is book-ended by a beautiful track, "I Do Love You" with a smooth scat performance by Secada. Jazz standards "Body and Soul" and "What a Wonderful World" are performed with sincerity and the vocal ability of a seasoned jazz vocalist. Pop classics "Chances Are" and "Alone Again (Naturally)" are given the jazz treatment with Secada adding his imprint to them. Secada's own compositions: "Wishes", "Find Me In Your Dreams", "Angel", "Just Another Day", "Letter From A Friend", "Rainbows", "I Found A Reason" and "When Night Time Falls" are excellent jazz compositions and interpretations. Listeners will recognize, "Angel" and "Just Another Day" lyrically, but the arrangements and interpretations by Secada distance them from the originals and keep them in line with the straight-ahead jazz theme of the album. Overall this is a wonderful, solid, and well produced jazz project, one that Mr. Sinatra, whom Secada recorded a duet with, would have been proud. I will end this review with a suggestion: Expressions (Jon Secada) - Grammy Award for Jazz Vocal Album of the Year."
A Beautiful Album
Lisa C. | Rhode Island | 09/28/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is clearly one of Mr. Secada's finest, and one he must be very proud of. The lyrics are heartfelt, and his voice conveys every emotion - the joy and innocence of Wishes; the blase nonchalance of I Don't Care Much; shock, anger and helplessness in Letter to a Friend. His heart-wrenching rendition of Alone Again (Naturally) puts Gilbert O'Sullivan's original to shame. As someone who's followed Mr. Secada's career from the very beginning, I was excited to hear such beautiful jazz versions of Just Another Day and my personal favorite, the very touching Angel, as well as an English version of his Estoy Tranquilo from his 1995 album Amor (I Found a Reason). As with Amor, I fully expect Mr. Secada will win a Grammy for this work!"
What a pleasant surprise ...
MusicLover#1 | Maryland, USA | 11/16/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am a Jon Secada fan. Great singer and songwriter. Having grown up in South Florida and known folks who went to the University of Miami for music, I knew he was a jazz vocal major at a seriously talented music school. But he was a great R&B/Pop singer and songwriter b7y the time I bought his records. I stumbled upon his CD in the Amazon Nov $5 downloads. I love jazz vocals; Al Jarreau & Kurt Elling to name two. But could I hear Jon Secada without the flourish and shine and vocal runs of R&B/pop. Well at first it was hard to reorient my ears, no longer expecting the R&B/pop vocals. Then I heard him melding with the wonderful piano, bass, drums and soloists. By the time I hit the songs he wrote "Find Me In Your Dreams" and "Wishes," I started to get it, really get it. When I got to him reworking his own hits, "Angel" and "Another Day," with jazz arrangements, I realized that this is better than good, it is special. The best songs for me are the ones that he co-wrote, especially "I Found a Reason." But Jon does very nice things with jazz standards like Body & Soul and modern standards like Alone Again (Naturally). From Norah Jones-style jazz to straight-ahead jazz, fans of jazz and Jon Secada will not be disappointed. Adventurous enough for jazz fans and familiar enough for Jon's R&B/pop fans (try Angel or I Found a Reason). So glad I checked this out, and hope you do to, mostly so he will make another CD mixing standards and his own songs."