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Content from KIOS staff relating to jazz, blues, and all kinds of music.

Last Call Artist Spotlight: Gretchen Parlato

Vocalist Gretchen Parlato will perform in Omaha at the 1200 Club at the Holland on May 11th. This is the first Omaha concert for the rising vocal star, whose 2011 effort "The Lost And Found" was the #1 Jazz CD of the year as awarded by this program. Click on the link to listen to an interview with Gretchen Parlato.(Recording Engineer: Mike Hansen.)

For more information about Parlato's concert in Omaha you may visit omahaperformingarts.org

Here is the review of the record from our archives:

GRETCHEN PARLATO/THE LOST AND FOUND/OBLIQ SOUND

This is the breakout jazz record of 2011. Compelling artistry from a vocalist who has emerged in the last few years. The Lost and Found is superb. Gretchen Parlato's souful, intimate, intriguing voice is refreshing in its personal touch. In a program which mixes soft electronic balladry with danceable funk and brilliantly performed covers of Wayne Shorter and Miles Davis numbers, Parlato shines. Her voice is very compelling on three originals, How We Love, Better Than, and Circling. On these selections she is able to do what a jazz vocalist must do, make the listener feel as if he/she is the only one whom the vocalist is singing to. Parlato's vocal artistry is aided by Taylor Eigsti on keyboards, Derrick Hodge on bass and Kendrick Scott on drums, with other artists on some tracks. Gretchen Parlato is the daughter of Dave Parlato, bass player for Frank Zappa on several noteworthy Zappa recordings. Parlato was accepted in 2001 into the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance and was the first vocalist ever admitted into the program. Parlato won first place in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. in 2004. Her self-titled first album, Gretchen Parlato, was released in 2005 and named #5 Best Progressive Jazz CDs of 2005 by Jazz Nation and got 5 stars in Down Beat's Blindfold Test by Richard Bona in July 2007. That same year she was named #3 Rising Star Female Vocalist in DownBeat's 55th Annual Critics Poll. Since that time her abilities have been showcased to enthusiastic audiences worldwide. Her latest disc is further confirmation of her rich, deep talent. In addition to her touring and recording, Parlato also offers clinics and workshops for aspiring jazz vocalists.

For more information you may visithttp://www.gretchenparlato.com/

Chris Cooke has been a voice on public radio in Omaha since 1989. Working at KVNO-FM during college, Cooke hosted a weekend progressive jazz show on the station in addition to working as an on-air announcer. In November 1992, Cooke signed on at KIOS-FM and has been there ever since. He has hosted the Tuesday and Thursday editions of Jazz in the Afternoon since 1996 and has hosted Last Call since that year. A long time fan of jazz music, Cooke enjoys talking with the musicians who make jazz music and presenting those conversations with listeners. When not hosting or listening to jazz, on record or in person, Cooke maintains a busy schedule as a self-employed web design consultant.