Pure Imagination
Charmin & Shapira
Vocalist Charmin Michelle and guitarist Joel Shapira have performed together in various musical settings for close to a decade. Michelle's previous CD releases "Your Eyes", "Destination Moon" and "Hot" have earned her the respect and admiration of both critics and audiences alike, and have put her at the forefront of the Twin Cities jazz vocal scene. Shapira's past CD releases with his acclaimed jazz trio Triplicate, entitled "Triplicate" and "Day & Age", have received enthusiastic reviews and extensive airplay locally and beyond. In their debut collaborative effort "Pure Imagination", Charmin Michelle and Joel Shapira showcase their unique musical insight into the Great American Songbook by exploring it in a highly personalized guitar/vocal duo format. The duo is also joined by three outstanding veterans of the Twin Cities jazz scene: Nathan Norman on drums, Tom Lewis on bass, and Paul Harper on tenor saxophone and flute. The result is a modern approach that highlights Michelle's relaxed sense of swing and the delicate beauty of her voice, and pairs it with Shapira's sensitive accompaniment and formidable soloing skills.
May 8, 2007

musicians

Charmin Michelle
Joel Shapira
Paul Harper
Tom Lewis
Nathan Norman
To purchase Pure Imagination, send Joel an email at joelshapira@msn.com and include the your name, shipping address, and each item you'd like to order. Then visit paypal.me/joelshapiramusic and enter your payment amount.

tracks

1.
On Green Dolphin Street
2.
Ask Me Now
3.
Straight, No Chaser
4.
Night and Day
5.
Pure Imagination
6.
Love For Sale
7.
Dindi
8.
Blue Prelude
9.
A Time For Love
10.
You Go To My Head
11.
Dearly Beloved



Reviews for Pure Imagination

Charmin & Shapira: Pure Delight at the Dakota and More
Andrea Canter
Jazz Police

“She gently seduces the listener time after time, whether the fare is ageless blues, warm bossa, intimate love song, or upbeat novelty. She's a flower, a lovesome thing.” –Tom Surowicz (Star Tribune)

Ginger and Fred, Ike and Tina, even Lucy and Ethel—great entertainment has often come in pairs. Locally, vocalists Charmin Michelle and guitarist Joel Shapira are one of the stellar duos of the decade, a collaboration documented on their 2005 recording, Pure Imagination. On Tuesday night, August 14th, Charmin & Shapira “and friends” perform at the Dakota Jazz Club in downtown Minneapolis. Other duo gigs this month include the Times (August 18th), Fireside Pizza (August 22nd) and Cue at the Guthrie (August 31st).

read more...
Aug. 12, 2007