Goldstar Member Tips

• N. Barry Greenhouse on Where to Eat
  Order as little as possible
• N. Barry Greenhouse on Where to Park
  Take public transportation
• N. Barry Greenhouse on What to Wear
  Casual

Goldstar Member Reviews

N. Barry Greenhouse

Luba Mason is an incredible talent in a number of performing realms, based on the show my wife and I saw at the Blue Note. She has a spectacular voice and knows how to use it to put over songs she has written and standards she has interpreted in original ways. She moves well with a sultry appearance that enhances the songs she has chosen. Even gave her piano player a break by accompanying herself on one or two numbers, and appeared comfortable when singing in Portuguese. Ruben Blades joining her on stage for a brief turn was a bonus, adding humor and warmth to the evening as well as his easy going musical contributions,

Written on Jul 15 2009

report as inappropriate

• 0 Good To Know
• 0 I Like Your Writing
• 0 I Went And I Agree

More Information About Luba Mason and Friends: Krazy Love CD Release

Website

http://www.bluenote.net/newyork/schedule/moreinfo.cgi?id=7311

Description

Luba Mason, vocals
Ruben Blades, vocals
Jimmy Haslip, electric bass
Dario Eskenazi, piano
Sandro Albert, guitar
Marco Costa, drums  

As a jazz vocalist and wife of Latin superstar Ruben Blades, Luba Mason has embarked on an exquisite journey of the soul with her new CD, Krazy Love. A rich musical travelogue that explores the arc of modern day relationships and infuses them with Luba's love for the music of Brazil, Krazy Love continues the critically-acclaimed Mason's foray into the realm of contemporary crossover jazz vocals. Krazy Love has been released by Sunnyside Records.

"A powerfully emotional song interpreter" (All Music Guide), Mason is blessed with "a celestial voice" (Los Angeles Times) and genuine incandescence that draws unsolicited attraction when she enters a room. It's not simply the tall blonde's Slovak beauty, but her electrifying musical blending of Latin and Jazz rhythms mixed with the raw emotionality of Folk and Pop.

In her new CD, Krazy Love, Luba executes a "cool, Brazilian mood" with an intimate acoustic sound. Enhanced by well-known Brazilian musician Renato Neto on piano & keyboards (also pianist for the legendary musician, Prince), Luba is joined by top-notch bassist Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets), percussionist Cassio Duarte, Sandro Albert on guitar and Marco Costa on drums, with guest performances by the world renowned Hubert Laws as well as her husband, Latin great Ruben Blades. In addition to co-producing the album, Luba's blossoming writing talents are premiered in 8 original songs alongside two covers, creating a distinctive yet personal sound and style to this unique blend of melodies.

From the title track, "Krazy Love," which sets the tone for the CD to Luba's childhood memories of growing up in her parent's home on "This House"; from the flirtatious vibes of romance on the duet (with Ruben) "And It Is with You I Go" to the feelings of betrayal on the songs "From Me To You" and "A Summer Night"; from the fantasies expressed on "Lovely" to the celebratory mode of "Xmas In July," Luba's CD is a personal and heartfelt exploration of love in all its various stages.

A native New Yorker and first generation American, Luba spent her early youth devoted to training in classical voice, piano and dance. The training paid off with her early acceptance to Circle in the Square Theatre School and New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, straight out of school, Luba was plucked by Tommy Tune to sing and dance on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning The Will Rogers Follies.

She went on to impress director Trevor Nunn, who cast her in the American premiere of Sunset Blvd., but it was director/impresario Des McAnuff who placed Luba front and center as sex bomb Hedy LaRue next to Matthew Broderick's J. Pierpont Finch in the celebrated Broadway revival of How to Succeed in Business.... A featured role in Paul Simon's The Capeman preceded Luba's return to center stage as she starred in the Broadway production of Jekyll and Hyde, and then as Velma Kelly opposite Brooke Shields' Roxy Hart in the smash musical Chicago.

Tapped by Ruben Blades (her cast mate in The Capeman) as a guest vocalist for his 2003 Grammy Award-winning CD Mundo, Luba's seamless segue from the New York stage to the Hollywood scene gave her the chance to tackle dramatic roles in guest-starring parts on Law and Order, NYPD Blue, and New York Undercover, and most recently opposite Jeff Goldblum in Raines.