Discover RENDEZVOUS, my quartet cover band.
For bookings
Call Linda at 503-901-5135 or email Linda Lee Michelet
Meet Linda Lee Michelet
It's easy to come away with the notion that a lot of love and care went into Linda Lee Michelet's new CD. Joe Millward's arrangements for both a sterling jazz ensemble and some subtle strings are perfect for Michelet's vocals. It's no secret that the singer admires some of the greats of the past, namely Peggy Lee, Anita O'Day, and Nancy Wilson, among others. And, Millward did some very cool research resulting in a complete recording history of each tune. Who sang it and when, album name and year, and accompanying artists. It's all here and it enhances Michelet's renditions of these great tunes.
I also like the fact that Michelet doesn't simply choose the "greatest hits" of these singers. Instead, in many cases, she reprises lesser known gems like Peggy Lee's One Kiss, New York City Blues, Things Are Swingin', Ridin' High, and Boston Beans. In the case of Nancy Wilson, it's Old Country, He's My Guy, and Never will I Marry.
Tenor great David Evans and trumpet/flugelhorn star Paul Mazzio are especially effective soloists, but it's Ms. Michelet's vocals that are tasty, bright, and breezy throughout. And, that's a lot of love.
— George Fendel,
Jazz Society of Oregon
I can remember Linda calling me to see if we would interested in hosting her doing a tribute to Peggy Lee. Then 6 months later, there she was singing the great songs of Peggy and doing it extraordinarily well.
In the the past 1/2 dozen years she has studied the great singers and learned a lot. Her new recording "One Kiss' may seem like a tribute to the great singers of the 40s and 50s. The album strays from the hits and does more obscure tunes of Anita O'Day, Nancy Wilson, Peggy Lee and others.
However, it's also a delightful showcase of the talent this wonderful singer has. Plus she's backed by a phenomenal band that truly has an understanding of this music and repertoire. 2011 should be Linda's year.
— Terry Currier,
Music Millennium
Michelet dives into the '50s and '60s with a great sense of melody on this small big band disc. She takes the tunes of three great melodicists, Peggy Lee, Nancy Wilson and Anita O'Day, and lovingly recreates them, keeping the tunes much as they were recorded originally, but with a tight, smaller band.... Michelet's buoyant voice is easy on the ears. Her delivery is warm, inviting and true to the melodies.
Kyle O’Brien,
Jazz Society of Oregon
"Linda Lee Michelet is a local, torchy, saloon-style singer who brings a touch of class to her jazz renderings via both her song stylings and her elegant work garb.... Fasten your seatbelt. You won't believe what comes out of her mouth and what flows from her heart & soul."
— Richard Lazere Ph.D.,
Jazz Society of Oregon
"... Having written and or produced for some great Portland singers and musicians — including Michael Allen Harrison, Curtis Salgado, Shirley Nanette, Julie Ann Johnson, and Ellen Whyte — I think you are in the same league. I am very picky when it comes to vocalists, but my 'sista', as they say in the hood "Girl, you can sang" (and I do mean SANG) ... Just keep believing in your dreams — sometimes they really do come true."
— Calvin Walker
Director of Development,
KMHD 89.1 Jazz Radio
LINDA LEE TAKES HER LISTENERS on a musical journey rediscovering some of the legendary female singers of American Jazz... She is "Portland's own honey-voiced siren"
— Patrick
Russell
Online MusicNet