Carol Welsman jazzes you up with a swinging pep talk in her cool rendition of Pick Yourself Up — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
As the latest preview of her upcoming 14th album — appropriately titled 14 — the Canadian jazz singer gifts us with a warm, infectious interpretation of Pick Yourself Up, a standard that was written nearly 100 years ago but remains relevant and timeless. Since Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers introduced the song in 1936’s Swing Time, it has been recorded by a cavalcade of greats, including Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O’Day, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé and Gregory Porter. But Welsman used another legend’s 1962 rendition as her template.
“It’s a beautiful arrangement by George Shearing, which he recorded with Nat King Cole years ago,” notes Welsman. “It was so inspiring, I lifted it note for note and we reproduced it as a trio featuring Pierre Côté on guitar, Rémi-Jean LeBlanc on bass and yours truly on piano and vocals.” And from the first familiar and self-assured notes, Welsman’s lovingly faithful take on the track displays her keen ability to put a personal frame around a jazz masterwork.
Following the six-time Juno nominee’s May release Come Fly With Me, Pick Yourself Up is the second of three preview singles from 14, which arrives Sept. 9. Co-produced by internationally renowned composer, and arranger Romano Musumurra, 14 features Welsman’s exquisite and intimate piano/vocal work alongside the simple, straightforward accompaniment of guitar, bass, and occasional drums. “It is truly a jazz album,” states Welsman.
Music is definitely in the Toronto-born, L.A.-based artist’s blood. She is the granddaughter of Frank Welsman, founder and first conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and she’s a “distinguished alumnus” of the Berklee College of Music. Welsman speaks French, Italian, and Spanish fluently — and has recorded in all three languages. She’s also an accomplished and prolific songwriter whose work has been recorded by the likes of Celine Dion, Ray Charles and Chrissie Hynde. On stage, Welsman has performed internationally in trio, big band, and pops orchestra formats and has played for/with such luminaries as Stevie Wonder, Gordon Lightfoot, Herbie Hancock and former President Bill Clinton.
Enjoy Pick Yourself Up above, sample more of Carol Welsman’s work below and find her at her website, Twitter and Facebook.
