In the great tradition of multitalented stars, Broadway's newest diva Ashley Brown will make her solo record debut with her jazz vocal album, "Speak Low". Speak Low will be released nationwide on January 12, 2010 via Ghostlight Records and Sony distribution. Speak Low is the title track on a thoughtfully curated collection of American Songbook standards that also includes a sexy and imaginative medley of two great standards, "Smile" and "Make Someone Happy". The album is filled with passionate, seductive interpretations of a wide range of songs covering jazz and Broadway standards. Speak Low is a collection of Ashley's personal favorites and will consist of new arrangements of such well known classics as "My Funny Valentine", "I'll Be Seeing You", "My Only Love" and "The Very Thought of You."
The creative team includes Emmy Award-winning conductor, pianist, composer, and arranger Lee Musiker (Tony Bennett, Barbara Cook), World Renowned Keyboardist, Arranger & Composer Yaron Gershovsky (Manhattan Transfer), and 2008 Grammy nominee and Sony artist, Eldar. Speak Low is produced by Grammy nominated Sony Masterworks producer, David Lai (South Pacific, Allegro).
Brown is currently playing the title character in the United States national tour of Mary Poppins after originating the role on Broadway for which she received Outer Critics, Drama League and Drama Desk nominations for Best Actress. "Even for those of us who spend our lives working in the performing arts there are those moments when an artist simply takes your breath away and makes you think, ‘now THAT'S how it's done!' Ashley Brown is one such artist," said Thomas Schumacher, producer and president of Disney Theatrical Productions. "Ashley is a class act; charming, witty, smart, stunning and possessing a voIce That makes you understand the true meaning of heaven."
Brown has one of the most celebrated voices on Broadway and in the concert and cabaret worlds today. As a concert artist, she has performed with many of the most prestigious orchestras in the U.S. including the Boston Pops (with Keith Lockhart), the New York Philharmonic (with Marvin Hamlisch), The Pittsburgh Symphony opposite Shirley Jones (with Marvin Hamlisch), the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, the Cincinnati Pops (with Erich Kunzel), the Indianapolis Symphony (twice with Jack Everly), and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra (with John Mauceri) at Disney Hall.
Upcoming concerts in 2010 are Baltimore Symphony, Ottawa Symphony, Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, and Pensacola Symphony and a show at Feinstein's Regency.
Speak Low will be available for download on iTunes November 10th and hit stores in selected markets on January 12th.
For more information on Ashley Brown please visit www.ashleybrownonline.com.
