Photo Flash: Michael Feinstein, Stars of GREY'S ANATOMY and More Celebrate Freda Payne's Birthday, New Album
As iconic in 2014 for her timeless beauty and sex appeal as she is her artistic versatility as an all around entertainer, Freda Payne remains among music's and show business' brightest shining star survivors. When she is singing her heartbeat music - jazz - love, awe and yearning only grow stronger. Her new album, Come Back To Me Love (her first for Artistry Music) marks not only a return to the big band and strings-laden classics from her mid-`60s beginnings with Impulse!, but also marks a return to her hometown of Detroit. That makes this 14-song album featuring Grammy Award-winner Bill Cunliffe's musical arrangements a beautiful homecoming.
The well-loved entertainer kicked off the release of Come Back To Me Love with a performance at Catalina Jazz Club last weekend. Michael Feinstein, Quincy Jones and several stars from GREY'S ANATOMY appeared at the gig to help Payne celebrate both the album release and her birthday. Check out photos below!
The 14-song album was arranged by Cunliffe and includes the breezy, vibes-kissed Kenny Rankin waltz "Haven't We Met" as well as the lonely evening fireplace musings of "Lately." Then there's the classic "Midnight Sun," which takes Payne back to a trip to Norway years ago, and "Save Your Love for Me" that she recalls being performed by Nancy Wilson and Cannonball Adderley years ago. There are also a number of contemporary pop songs with strings.
Though best known for her 1970 R&B crossover hit "Band of Gold" (which spent 20 weeks on Billboard's "Top 100 Singles" chart, peaking at No. 3, and was No. 1 for 6 weeks in Great Britain), Freda Payne has always been a jazz singer dating back to her performance at age 14 with The Jimmy Wilkins Big Band. With her Artistry Music debut, Come Back to Me Love - on which every instrumental solo sounds like it was played by someone who had a crush on her at one time or another - Ms. Freda Charcelia Payne won't just be swinging on a star...she'll be clutching that golden Victrola for this, her return to jazz and Detroit.
Photo Credit: The Stander Group Inc.
Michael Feinstein and Freda Payne
James Pickens, Jr., Freda Payne, Quincy Jones and Justin Chambers (Grey's Anatomy)
Sherri Payne, Freda Payne and Quincy Jones sending a Birthday blessing
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