"Uptown Goes Downtown Tonight... Rita Chiarelli with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra" - the album is finally here and it's been well worth the wait! This is one of the most ambitious undertakings of my career and it is a record of which I am truly proud. The seeds for this collaborative project were planted almost two years ago when I performed as a guest artist at one of the TBSO cabaret concerts in Thunder Bay. Many of those in the audience told us afterwards that we should have recorded the evening. To hear an interview the conductor, Jason Caslor, and I did with Jeff Goodes on CBC's Fresh Air click here. The world of roots and blues and that of classical music are vastly different and I think as a result, all of us who have been involved with the project have grown artistically. The album consists of eight of my original compositions, two Italian songs, and a version of "The Thrill is Gone." The orchestral arrangements were done by Joe Phillips and the recording was produced by Grammy and JUNO award winner Keith Horner. Visit my on-line store to order the new CD.
In addition to the recording sessions with the TBSO we also performed a concert at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. Thanks to the Ontario Arts Council for their financial support which allowed this concert to happen! The concert was also recorded by CBC for national radio play on Canada Live.
Another highlight of the past year was winning The Canadian Folk Music Award for the best solo World artist of the year for my recording "Cuore ... the Italian Sessions". Thanks to all of my supporters who allowed me to try something different and who gave the new music a chance. I had a great time performing some of the Italian repertoire with Jane Bunnett and other world artists at the Global Divas concert last May. To listen to the tunes from the show click here and type in Global Divas under "key word".
Thanks for visiting my website! Even though we had to take down the message board due to spam I love to get your email . Click on the link at the left to email me and join my mailing list and I'll let you know what I'm up to. These days as it gets harder and harder to make a living in this business we call music I appreciate your loyalty and support. It is your "bums in seats" and CD purchases that allow me to keep making music. Please let your friends know about my site and my music. Send me photos and I'll post them in the gallery. Check out Rita's Ramblins for my thoughts from home and the road. The news section of the site will give you the latest news and press releases, while we've posted reviews of recent shows. Keep checking the upcoming shows to see when I'll be playing in your area next. Thanks to those of you who've emailed me photos.... I'm learning how to post them on the website and I'll keep adding to the photo gallery. Margaret Evans took beautiful photographs during the recording sessions with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra and we'll get those posted in the photo gallery real soon.
