Kathryn Taubert: News

Kathryn Taubert is now writing a weekly "blog" for the NAPLES DAILY NEWS, Naples Florida. After featuring a seven-part series of her articles on her trip to Ghana to live with the Ewe Tribe, NEWS editors asked her to stay on as a regular.

You can find her weekly feature series, "Life in The Slow Lane" at http://blogs.naplesnews.com/lifeslowlane

Often tongue-in-cheek, sometimes serious, humorous or a little edgy, her short essays cover a wide variety of topics.

Compared by one reader to the Andy Rooney style of journalism, Kathryn often chooses topics suggested by her readership as well.

Sign up on this mailing list if you wish to get regular notifications on her blog entries as well as performances.

"I'm still singing," Kathryn says. "But I'm much happier being behind the scenes. I was a writer before I was a singer, and although I'll keep my hand in performing musically, I'm much more content with a more relaxed lifestyle these days. Hence the 'Life in the Slow Lane' series."

Starting the week of June 28, The Naples Daily News (www.naplesnews.com) will publish a seven-part feature series on Kathryn's volunteer experiences in a small West African Village in Ghana. Using her "blog" for content, Kathryn's weekly articles from Ghana will be published in both internet and hard copy editions.

"I've been so blessed in so many ways," states Kathryn Taubert, "that I feel a willing obligation to give back," she says of her impending trip to Ghana, West Africa, as part of the International Global Volunteer Network's poverty reduction programs around the world. http://www.volunteer.org.nz/ghana/community/

"I chose Ghana because it will give me the best opportunity to make a significant contribution in the shortest amount of time," she states of her month-long project, scheduled for summer of July 09.

"I am excited to be a part of a program that makes use of the talents of seasoned professionals in a number of fields to help people in developing countries preserve their own cultures, while learning the business processes and procedures necessary to sustain themselves in a global economy."

What most people don't know about Taubert is her extensive professional background in management, performance and productivity consulting, as well as fundraising. Prior to resuming her career in music, she was a management education executive for a Fortune 500 Financial Services conglomerate, and a professional fundraiser for a national voluntary health agency.

"Naples Daily News" (http://www.naplesdailynews.com/) will be serializing her 'blog" on the trip, which she hopes will inspire others to "do something similar," she says.

"You don't need to go to Africa to make a contribution," states Taubert. "I'm going because I wanted to immerse myself in a totally different culture for personal growth as well. To me, it's about learning how others live as well as appreciating our own wonderful lifestyle in the USA."

When asked if she is retiring from music again, Taubert says "Oh no, but I am taking a bit of a sabbatical. I"ve been gradually reducing my performance schedule for the last few months, to get back to some of the other things in life I enjoy, and then refocus my energies in directions which I believe are most consistent with what I believe life is all about," she says.

When asked what that is, she smiles mischievously and says, "I'll keep you posted as things transpire."

Go along with Kathryn in her journey to West Africa at:
www.kathryntaubert.blogspot.com

Thursday, March 26, marked the night that Naples honored it's own Mr. Music, the late Claude Rhea, who passed away suddenly in recent months.
Fans turned out by the hundreds to celebrate the man and his music at Truluck's Seafood, Steak & Crab House in Naples, Florida.

A number of musicians also appeared, two of whom played original compositions dedicated to Claude (Sotiere Kapsalis and Lee Silvan, area pianist-composers). Well-known area R&B musicians "Doc Mambo," Melvin and Gloria (Vergina's Restaurant) also put in appearances.

Kathryn Taubert sang four songs accompanied by Rhea's piano on tape, taken directly from her CDs upon which Claude recorded those songs with her. "This is the last time I'll be able to perform with Claude in the place he made famous in Naples, and the location where most of us knew him best. He will be missed."

The inimitable Claude Rhea, once called Naples, Florida's own "Mr. Music," by Naples Illustrated magazine passed away suddenly in October at 64.
Rhea, whom Kathryn Taubert calls her "Naples Musical Mentor," was taken ill suddenly and died a few weeks later of a massive cerebral hemorrage, leaving a huge gap in the soft jazz scene in this upscale Southwestern Florida enclave of music lovers and year round vacationers.

"I may have walked into the room by myself," says Taubert, "but it was Claude Rhea who opened the door for me," she states recalling how she got back into music several years before, after being in retirement for decades.

"Claude became my musical mentor, colleague and dear friend over the last few years," she states. "I can't tell you how much we'll miss him in SW Florida. At least we still have his music."

Rhea recorded his last CD, "Well-Seasoned," with his original compositions. He also recorded with Kathryn on both her recent CDs, including some of their favorite tunes. His last recording was "How Do You Keep the Music Playing," accompanying Kathryn on her latest CD release, "Somewhere In Time."

"Somewhere In Time," Kathryn's new CD has just been released by D and M Records! Featuring fabulous new arrangements of old standards, her original lyrics to classics such as John Barry's "Somewhere In Time", DeBussy's "Clair de Lune," and David Benoit's "Some Other Sunset," this CD includes haunting ballads, swinging jazz vocal duets, Jobim sambas by some of music's best composers. Featuring also some of the same fine musicians as her 2007 debut CD, "Somewhere In Time" takes music lovers to a whole new level of easy listening jazz, swing, sambas, ballads and classic melodies put to lyrics.

This CD is available for preview and purchase under the "Buy" link, by clicking on the D and M Records link.

Starting Oct 25, 2008, Kathryn & The ALLTHATJAZZ Trio will perform monthly at Bayshore Coffee Company on Bayshore Drive in Naples.
Each month's Jam session, to which local musicians are invited to sit in, will feature a different Trio of some of the ALLTHATJAZZ musicians, known for their versatility as well as talent. The Bayshore Coffee Company has achieved a reputation it's "SO-HO"-like ambience of great food and Saturday night jazz.

No reservations required, although early arrival is suggested to insure a table!
See "Calendar" link in this website for schedule. And check out The Bayshore Coffee Company at www.bayshorecoffee.com

*BEVERLY HILLS, CA - The first annual International Jazz Awards, a global television special, celebrating over 100 years of jazz music, will take place in Beverly Hills, California at the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in early 2009. The nominees, which were selected by a 200 person nominating committee and based on Soundscan's top jazz sellers will honor jazz in the following 24 categories which include Contemporary/Smooth, Traditional, Swing, Brazilian, Latin /Afro-Cuban, Fusion and Dixieland:
Kathryn's vocal performance in the four Latin tunes from her 2007 CD , "Where Can I Go Without You? "has been nominated in the "Outstanding Performance in a Vocal (Female)" in the Latin category in this important event!
for more information, see
http://internationaljazzawards.com/jazz/

Plans are underway for ALLTHATJAZZ to perform in concert at the posh Surf Club Ballroom, NANUARY 9, 2009, for a special evening of dining, dancing, and merely listening. The ALLTHATJAZZ Septet will feature Kathryn and six of of South Florida's finest jazz musicians, playing the old standards with some original vocals, harmonies, and instrumental performances by Kathryn and her talented musician companions.

FIve-time Grammy nominee David Benoit has endorsed Kathryn's lyrics to his wonderful song, "Some Other Sunset."

Hearing Benoit's lovely Latin rhythm on the radio one day, Kathryn wanted to record the tune, but discovered that it had no lyrics! Contacting Benoit's manager with lyrics she wrote just for the song, Kathryn received Benoit's personal approval. "These lyrics are beautiful.
Consider them approved," stated Benoit, a multi-faceted composer, conductor, pianist and song-writer whose work had been heard all over the world, including four performances at Carnegie Hall in NYC.

"I'm truly honored to have David's endorsement of my lyrics," said Kathryn, whose new CD, "Somewhere In Time" is scheduled for release n late 2008.
You can read more about David Benoit and his work at www.benoit.com/benoit.html

D and M Music, parent company of D and M Records with whom Kathryn recently signed a recording contract has opened a "Fan Product Store" for each of its recording artists!

Click on this link (http://www.cafepress.com/dandm) and then Kathryn's photograph to see the items you can order in her name as gifts or keepsakes.
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Kathryn has been been selected as a "Sonicbids Spotlight Artist."
Sonicbids (www.sonicbids.com) is for one of the fastest growing professionally-oriented websites in the world connecting promoters with musicians. Presently, "SonicBids" hosts "Electronic Press Kits" for over 70,000 artists, and connects them with more than 6,000 festivals, music conferences, and clubs in more than 100 countries!

Being selected as a "Spotlight Artist" out of that number is indeed, an honor.

"We dig your music," states the Sonicbids representative, " and even though you can't see it, everyone here is giving you a big round of applause."

Kathryn has just signed on for at least four performances in Southwest Florida with the Music Makers Big Show Band, to perform in different venues in the New Year.
"I'm really excited about this opportunity," Kathryn says. "It's going back to my 'roots' as a big band singer, and Music Makers (http://www.musicmakersshowband.org/about/) is a fabulous group of experienced musicians whose goal is to preserve the music we all love so much."

Kathryn signed a record label contract with D and M Records, a division of Dand M Music of Simi Valley, CA for the production of a new CD of up to 12 tracks of her choosing!

"She is a rare talent with some of the most beautiful songs to grace a stage in a long time," said company co-founder Dave Warren. "D and M is proud to have this amazing talent as part of our family of fine musicians."

Kathryn is asking her friends and fans to help her select the songs, and will include the winners as "contributors" on the cover of the new CD, (working title: "Your Choice"). If you'd like to get in on this project, sign up on Kathryn's mailing list for details and write in the "notes" section your wish to know more about how to participate.

Eugene Foley of Foley Entertainment Consultants (http://www.foleyentertainment.com/home.htm) has given "Where Can I Go Without You?" his highest possible ratings, focusing specifically upon lead vocals and song selection. Mr. Foley's credentials in the music industry are unimpeachable, and a rating in the "5's" not given lightly, according to his written evaluation. "The Man With The Golden Ear" as he is called, has offered to represent Kathryn in her professional efforts. Foley's clients have earned nearly 40 Gold & Platinum Records & three Grammy Awards.
A real kudo from a well-known industry insider.

D&M Music of Sherman Oaks California has chosen the selection "You Turned the Tables On Me", from Kathryn's 2007 CD "Where Can I Go Without You?" to be included in their compilation CD, JazzFest 2008. This exciting CD, which will be distributed to major Jazz festivals throughout the 2008 festival season, features 15 of "today's best new Jazz musicians with fresh, exciting music." You can purchase a copy of this CD or download the individual tunes by going to D&M's website www.stardiskco.com/ and clicking on D&M Music Store.

AllThatJazz is proud to announce a series of "Cool Nights, Hot Jazz" nights for Miromar Lakes beautiful new 20,000 sq.ft. beach club on Lake Como, scheduled for completion in January. Starting Jan 29, this weekly series of jazz nights will feature Kathryn and her AllThatJazz quartet, with special, invited guest-musicians joining in. The third Tuesday of each month will also feature a Jazz Jam, with some of SW Florida's best jazz musicians joining, by invitation only, the ATJ Quartet. This Hot NIghts, Cool Jazz series will be open to the public, by reservation only (see Calendar). Attendance will require a two-drink minimum (that may be applied, instead, to a meal prepared by Miromar's world-class chefs). The monthly Jazz Jams will also feature a specially prepared gourmet meal to accompany the best music in Southwest Florida. These events will not be advertised in local media, as attendance will be limited and expected to fill up fast. Watch your email for Kathryn's alerts so you can book early.