Deborah Pearl - Souvenir of You - New Lyrics to Benny Carter Classics (2011)

"Souvenir of You - New Lyrics to Benny Carter Classics" "Time takes our verses away, but melodies live on, Forever playing your song, At heaven's door and here, a souvenir of you. " - DPearl

A labor of love. I knew and loved Jazz legend Benny Carter (1907-2003). He and his wife Hilma, my friend and mentor, became like surrogate parents to me. Both graduates of Barnard College, generations apart, we grew close in Los Angeles at the local college club. When I did my one woman show, "Chick Singers" they came twice... I played numerous types of singers in this one woman show - among them - a jazz singer. Benny told me - "You could be a jazz singer if you wanted." Entrenched in my writing, I didn't realize what he was saying. Years later after his death, Hilma asked me to look at an unsolicited lyric to one of his tunes. I offered to take a crack at it. That song "People Time," became our first collaboration which has been recorded by other jazz artists. It was the genesis of the CD.

"... a magnificent collaboration - the world will be kicking up it's heels in sheer delight at this great music. And by the way, you can sing your ass off Baby!" - Phil Woods

My passion for lyric writing - telling a story in one page instead of a hundred was ignited writing words to the music of this great man and genius musician. Thanks to Hilma, we recorded his classic melodies as songs that, hopefully, will continue his legacy for generations to come. I hope you enjoy "Souvenir Of you"!~ Deborah