Being well-rounded doesn’t mean losing your musical edge and no one knows this better than Peabody and Emmy award winning vocalist Rondi Charleston. Charleston, a former investigative journalist for ABC’s Primetime Live, has built a full and complete life around dual careers that explore countless other passions.
Rondi began her musical career at 16 when she entered Juilliard to study drama and voice. After graduation, she began singing opera professionally but a restless muse guided her towards her dream of becoming a cultural reporter. She enrolled in the Master’s program at NYU’s School of Journalism and while there, Charleston broke a major cover-up story of a Metro-North train crash. The story caught the attention of ABC News’ Head of Talent who hired Charleston to work as a producer alongside Diane Sawyer on Primetime Live.
Six years later, in 1996, Rondi decided to pursue her lifelong passion to sing jazz. She left her investigative reporting job at ABC, took time to raise her daughter Emma and pursued music full time. She landed performances at such prestigious jazz venues as The Blue Note, The Iridium, Birdland, The Dakota, and most recently at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola.
DVD Features Performances at Dizzy's Club Coca Coca
True to her musical muses, Rondi’s passion for harmony, melody and rhythm continues unaltered with the release of In My Life, a 2-disc set complete with a bonus DVD and a 14-track CD produced by Suzi Reynolds for the Emmamuse record label. The DVD is a first in itself. Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents Rondi Charleston - Live! at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola marks the first time an artist has been recorded at the venue for distribution on DVD.
The concert experience feels like a date with a special someone who gives you a metaphorical kiss. Charleston’s most appealing moments from this sleekly produced set show her finding inspiration in the inherent beauty of the original melodies of “In My Life,” “Beautiful” and the breezy bossa nova titled “Estate.”
Throughout, Rondi demonstrates her knowledge, experience and vocal resources with such sophistication and ease that she impresses the listener all the more. By finding beauty in the original lyrics and having those followed by proven improvisational procedures from pianist/musical director Bruce Barth (who has also worked as Tony Bennett’s musical director and pianist), the songstress reaches her audience with expressive phrasings that are sure to keep your attention.
New CD Is A Melange of Jazz Styles Under the Direction of Bruce Barth
The CD is a melodic tapestry of original songs, pop/rock, and Great American Songbook standards and new arrangements of the classic Beatles tune, “In My Life,” Carol King’s anthem “Beautiful,” and “Until,” Sting’s ballad written for the film Kate and Leopold. An arrangement is only as good as an ensemble’s ability to interpret and express it. One listen to “Until” will convince listeners of Charleston’s astounding interpretive abilities and chemistry with her musical director and bandmates.
Rondi Charleston offers two splendid original songs: “Ancient Steps” which features a compelling solo by guitarist Adam Rogers and “Telescope” a folk/jazz gem.
"Telescope" opens with the bass genius of Sean Smith and the background vocals of Rondi’s daughter Emma. Rondi offers a complete tonal match up from top to bottom of her vocal range. Her ease, intonation and projection responds to the harmonics of flautist Hadar Noiberg and vibist Erik Charleston like a perfectly timed dance between artists directing their futures.
Tribute to Barack Obama
In addition to her latest release, Rondi Charleston recently recorded an anthem of hope to commemorate President Barack Obama’s historic election. A Song for the Ages includes some of the world’s most accomplished musicians including James Genus, Pete Levin, Dave Stryker and Clarence Penn.
Rondi wrote the lyrics over the course of a few nights after being inspired by Obama’s election night acceptance speech. With music by the famed jazz pianist Lynne Arriale, A Song for the Ages was also produced by Suzi Reynolds. For more information about Rondi Charleston, please visit her website at www.rondicharleston.com
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