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Vocalist and Jazz Educator
"If I’m going to sing like someone else, then I don’t need to sing at all." – Billie Holiday
Janet's singing truly has the personal touch. She has the poise, personality, and musical seasoning to connect with her audience and the ability to emotionally inhabit the lyric of each song she performs. She has performed with world-class jazz musicians in a variety of musical settings - from big band to small group to duo - for a time leading her own jazz quartet. Her mastery in singing the Great American Songbook runs deep. As the daughter of a jazz drummer, she learned to sing a large and diverse repertoire of songs from an early age.
Janet's debut album "Believe in Spring" was released in 2011. The track “Just in Time” was chosen as a "Download Of The Day" on AllAboutJazz.com, The track also received airplay on Atlanta's WCLK Radio, Clark Atlanta University, and on the "Singers Unlimited" on WBGO Radio, 88.3 Jazz in Newark, NJ, one of the most influential jazz stations . Since its release, her CD consistently has a chart position among the top albums in the Metro Atlanta area on Reverbnation.
Comments from fans, musicians, press, and music educators about her CD:
" Beautiful, heartfelt and swinging renditions of timeless songs that take us on a musical and emotional journey. Wonderfully played by the musicians accompanying and fabulously sung by Janet Stevenson. I am now going to get the CD!!"
– Anita Wardell: Winner BBC Best of Jazz, 2006, London, UK
“I wonder as I listen if Portuguese is your first language because while I enjoyed your songs in English, I found "Pra Dizer Adeus" to be stunningly beautiful in delivery, the tones of your voice and more. I also have to say that "Say It Over" and "The Island" are outstanding too. I didn't know them before, but especially liked the arrangements.”
- Suzanne Brooks: Leader of The Jazz Generation , Sacramento, CA (via Reverbnation)
“I really like and appreciate your ballad lyric interpretations. You know how to get into a lyric and not just sing "hip" stuff to be cool… Nice arrangements, great players, and a stellar choice of material… My favorite tracks are 4 & 10. Bravo, not the easiest tunes to vocalize.”
– Ted Howe: composer, pianist & jazz educator, Los Angeles, CA
"I have enjoyed your new CD very much…the cover, song choices, mood of the CD. are all so nice - you sound very relaxed too. Congratulations.”
– Roseanna Vitro: 2011 Grammy nominee & jazz educator, New York, NY
“Backed by Pianist Kevin Bales, Percussionist Marlon Patton and Bassist Robert Dickson, Ms. Stevenson selected a sweet mix of ballad, swing and Latin compositions. Give a listen. Here is to someone who is working to preserve and advance our original American music in many ways. Well done! ”
- Bruce Pulver, Jazz Journalist, Freelance Writer and Arts Supporter - AllAboutJazz.com, Atlanta, GA
