the essential john labelle - John Labelle Theme For Montreal

THE ESSENTIAL JOHN LABELLE
Singer John Labelle doesn't do things by
half. A first in the history of Canadian jazz,
he's recorded an album for big band ‘Don't Say No’, made up entirely of original
compositions. Eschewing pyrotechnics,
Labelle prefers a sparser delivery,
articulate and very effective. His voice is
reminiscent of the vocal fabric of Sinatra:
in other words, it's a voice you don't forget
in a hurry. (Montreal Jazz Festival)
Professional, experienced and constantly in demand, this classy Canadian vocalist hails from Montreal, Canada.
John Labelle has been performing for over 25 years at Five-Star venues, theatres and jazz festivals all around the
world including Shanghai, New York, Washington, Chicago, Hong Kong, Toronto, London as well as on board some
of the world’s most prestigious cruise lines.
John’s smooth as silk vocal style is often compared to Frank Sinatra and Harry Connick Jr. Critically acclaimed as one
of the finest voices of the new millennium, elegant and to the point, his singing brings a new focus to a well-chosen
repertoire of American Jazz Classics. He has performed in front of an audience of 100,000 at the Montreal
International Jazz Festival, five times, sharing the same stage as Tony Bennett, Diana Krall and Michael Bublé.
Direct from the Rat Pack inspired 'The Three Crooners' Theatre Show, John has since featured on the 2013 top-ten
chart album ‘The Montreal Sessions’ with the North America Jazz Alliance on Challenge Records (Europe). He has a
catalogue of eight studio album releases including the latest 'Essential John Labelle - Dancing in the Dark’ a beautiful
example of Labelle's range as a performer.
Achieving the highly sought after Male Vocalist of the Year Award (Jazz Report Magazine), John's recordings are
constantly heard on Jazz Radio throughout Canada, the U.S. and more recently Europe, including a full live concert
televised across North America.
'The Essential John Labelle' showcases this award winning multi-talented singer-songwriter in
swingin’ fashion, as he explores the Great American Popular Songbook in a uniquely personal way.
John Labelle takes his audiences on a musical journey exploring the greatest moments and unforgettable
personalities of the golden age of popular song.
Featuring some of the world’s most requested swingin’ hits of all time from the Rat Pack era; Frank Sinatra, Nat
King Cole, Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, as well as a number of his own self-penned hits from his award winning big
band album 'Don't Say No'.
With a second show that includes firm favourites and timeless classics from Vegas Legends; Elvis Presley, Neil
Diamond, Andy Williams, Engelbert Humperdink, Barry Manilow, Tom Jones as well as cool and current
contemporary sounds of Michael Bublé, Sade and Rod Stewart. Dance or listen at your pleasure!
John Labelle - Rat Pack & Swing, Canadian Jazz Vocalist
Direct from Montreal, Canada now based in Liverpool, England, for info & bookings please contact:
www.johnlabelle.co.uk – UK Tel: 07503 756175 / 0151 286 2500 – Email: [email protected]
JOHN LABELLE – SELECTED PERFORMANCES
‘The Essential John Labelle’ showcases this award
winning multi-talented singer-songwriter in
swingin’ fashion, as he explores the Great
American Popular Songbook in a uniquely personal
way. John Labelle takes his audiences on a musical
journey exploring the greatest moments and
unforgettable personalities of the golden age of
popular song.
Featuring some of the world’s most requested
swingin’ hits of all time from the Rat Pack era;
Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin, Dean
Martin, as well as a number of his own selfpenned hits from his award winning big band
album ‘Don’t Say No’.
Festivals
Montreal International Jazz Festival
(1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2004)
Ottawa Jazz Festival
Winnipeg Jazz Festival
Montreal Fringe Festival
Montreal International Fireworks Competition, with Montreal
Jazz Big Band
La Festival De Lanaudiere, with Montreal Jazz Big Band
Montreal Club Soda
Theatres
Le Lion D'or Theatre, Montreal
Oscar Peterson Concert Hall, Montreal
The Pierre-Peladeau Centre, Montreal
National Arts Centre, Ottawa
Montreal Spectrum, with Jazz Beat All Star Vic Vogel Big Band
Montreal Club Soda, with Montreal Jazz Big Band
Cruise Ships & Hotels
The Park Lane Hotel, Hong Kong (3 month contract)
Cyprus Garden Hotel, Blues and Jazz Club, Shanghai
Cunard Cruise Lines
Color Line Cruises
Fairmont Hotel, Montreal
Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Montreal
Montreal Casino
TV & Radio Shows
BBC Radio Merseyside, Liverpool, England
COOL TV, Canada - In Concert with 'The Three Crooners'
BET TV "Jazzy Vocals & Impressions"
CBC Jazz Beat Radio Canada All Star Vic Vogel Big Band
CBC Home Run
CFCF 12 International TV
TQS 35 International TV "Reddy Reddy Go
SKY TV, UK, Cruising With The Stars
Jazz Venues
Top O' The Senator,Toronto
Upstairs Jazz Bar, Montreal
House of Jazz, Montreal
Biddle's Jazz, Montreal
Smithsonian Jazz Café, Washington DC.
Restaurants
Modavie Jazz Restaurant, Montreal 1998 to 2011
Kaizan Sushi, Restaurant Montreal
Ballroom Dance Events
The Venue, Huyton Suite, Liverpool with the Strictly Dance
Orchestra
Woolton Ballroom Dance Club, Liverpool with the Strictly
Dance Orchestra
Whitby Ballroom Dance Club, Ellesmere Port with the Strictly
Dance Orchestra
Merseyside Big Band Night, Maghull, Merseyside
JOHN LABELLE - REVIEWS
“…he has panache, verve and no shortage of talent. John
Labelle is THE REAL DEAL” COOL 99.1 FM
"When I listen to Labelle, I'm reminded of Sinatra. John has
a wonderful flavour that swings. He also provides an
enchanting atmosphere." BEN 'CASEY' SCOTT, WCLK,
ATLANTA,GEORGIA
"He's got all the right stuff: hip tunes, world-weary tenor
croon, dramatic phrasing, insouciant patter, a band that
swings high and grooves low..." Tom Terrell Jazz Times
"Labelle is one of Canada’s BEST Crooners...he changes
mood when it matters, letting the music breathe and
melodies float on air...he handles interpretations of
delightful warhorses with aplomb" Geoff Chapman, Toronto
Star
“Labelle provides that extra mile. Smooth as a $100 bottle
of Scotch” Mark Tucker, Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
“What a voice!” CBC, Katie Malloch, CBC Jazz Beat
"The reharm of "Dancing in the Dark" is a perfect showcase
for vocalist John Labelle. The vocals of Labelle are stellar be
it with phrasing, tone, inflection and an innate
interpretation of vocal swing, John Labelle brings it every
time!" Critical Jazz (2013)
"With the release of 'I Get a Kick Out of You', which is his
finest recording to date, John Labelle continues to delight
his growing audiences with his heart-felt renditions of
infectious classic songs, revitalizing vintage tunes, and living
his musical dream." Scott Yanow, writer for Jazzizz & Los
Angeles Jazz Scene
Le Journal de Montreal gives John Labelle's Christmas
Collection five out of five! "...an absolutely magnificent
disk, that will make you smile and certainly take you back to
childhood." Christopher Rodriquez, le Journal de Montreal,
Montreal
"A good Jazz singer is like an F-1 engine with lots of power
but just idling. This is the case for Montreal's Labelle...His
sensitive, tender ballads are a contrast to his excellent time
on swinging tempos..." Planet Jazz
“...He bathes standards in soft, confident voicings. In true
crooner fashion, Labelle lets the songs sing for themselves."
Montreal International Jazz Festival
“'If You See Her' is a fine debut album and John Labelle is a
name to look out for. Labelle does what every great singer
must do: take any song, old or new, and display all the musical
and lyrical qualities, feelings and meanings with a fresh style
and voice." Rapport Magazine, San Francisco
"Carrying on the torch from other great crooners like Frank
Sinatra and Tony Bennett, Labelle digs deep to the roots of his
idiom. Back phrasing, swing and ever present charisma are the
hallmarks of his work, which spans the classic peers as one of
the most genuine and stylistically 'in the pocket' jazz singers
around" The Quartet, The Voice of Ottawa
"John has one of the warmest and most sincere voices of the
nineties; I'm honoured to be able to program his music" Ross
Porter, CBC Radio II, After Hours
"If you're a fan of John Labelle, this is for you. All the songs
have been digitally re-mastered, they sound great! The tracks
sound brand-new. Handpicked by John himself! A must for any
music collection." Bill Johansen, Downbeat
"After hearing album after album of standards, it's great to
hear someone who can write and deliver new originals that
will become our standards for tomorrow" Eric Gunner, WGMC
Rochester, New York
Congratulations goes to Montreal Jazz Vocalist Jean Labelle
who has just signed a contract to record under the Jazz
Inspiration label (Toronto) which is distributed by MCA
Records Canada! He will now be recording under the name
John Labelle. He was approached by a Jazz Inspiration
representative after his outdoor concert at the 1995 Festival
International de Jazz de Montreal. But then again...it was only
a matter of time before someone snapped him up! Jazz Vine
"I think it's a great record. It is rare and unique to find a CD of
all originals that will become standards. John Labelle should
NOT be compared to Connick, Bennett, Tormé or Sinatra, but
should take his place among them." Grace Parks, KCLU,
Thousand Oaks, California
JOHN LABELLE – SONG LIST
John has a wide and varied repertoire, and unless
hired to provide background music during a dinner
or drink reception, the sets are generally lively and
up-tempo featuring all the well known Rat Pack
and swing songs that everyone will enjoy.
As an accomplished award winning jazz singersongwriter, John occasionally features some of his
own compositions to add a personal touch to jazz
bookings, and many are included in his theatre
show. Fluently bilingual in English and French,
John can sing or introduce his shows in French if
required.
Each event is different and John is happy to take requests.
Just some of John’s repertoire are listed below:
Rat Pack & Swing
Ain't That A Kick In The Head (Dean Martin)
All The Way (Frank Sinatra)
Bad Bad Leroy Brown (Frank Sinatra)
Best Is Yet To Come (Bublé/Bennett/Sinatra)
But Not For Me (Sammy Davis Jnr)
Call Me Irresponsible (Bublé/Jack Jones)
Cheek To Cheek (Fred Astaire)
Chicago (Frank Sinatra)
Coffee Song (Frank Sinatra)
Come Dance With Me (Sinatra / Bublé)
Come Fly With Me (Frank Sinatra)
Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me (Frank Sinatra)
Fly Me To The Moon (Frank Sinatra)
Foggy Day (Michael Bublé)
For Once In My Life (Frank Sinatra/Stevie Wonder)
Gentle On My Mind (Dean Martin)
Get Me To The Church (Frank Sinatra)
Girl From Ipanema (Frank Sinatra)
Have You Met Miss Jones (Robbie Williams)
Hey There (Rosemary Clooney)
I Get A Kick Out Of You (Frank Sinatra)
I Only Have Eyes For You (Frank Sinatra)
In The Still Of The Night (Bobby Darin)
It Could Happen To You (Sammy Davis Jnr)
It Had To Be You (Harry Connick Jnr)
It Was A Very Good Year (Frank Sinatra)
I've Got You Under My Skin (Frank Sinatra)
La Mer / Beyond The Sea (Bobby Darin/Robbie Williams)
Lady Is A Tramp (Ella Fitzgerald)
Let Me Try Again (Frank Sinatra)
Let There Be Love (Nat 'King' Cole)
Let's Face The Music & Dance (Nat 'King' Cole)
L-O-V-E (Nat King Cole/Michael Bublé)
Mack The Knife (Bobby Darin / Ella Fitzgerald)
Making Whoopee (Frank Sinatra)
Mambo Italiano (Dean Martin)
Manhattan (Ella Fitzgerald)
More (Bobby Darin)
Mrs Robinson (Frank Sinatra)
My Way (Frank Sinatra)
New York, New York (Frank Sinatra)
Nice and Easy ( Frank Sinatra)
Nice Work If You Can Get It ( Frank Sinatra)
Night And Day (Frank Sinatra)
Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square (Bobby Darin)
Old Devil Moon (Frank Sinatra)
Please Be Kind (Frank Sinatra)
Ring A Ding Ding (Frank Sinatra)
Satin Doll (Ella Fiztgerald)
Straighten Up and Fly Right (Nat King Cole/Robbie Williams)
Strangers In The Night (Frank Sinatra)
Summer Wind (Frank Sinatra)
Take The 'A' Train (Duke Ellington)
That Old Black Magic (Frank Sinatra / Sammy Davis Jnr)
That’s Amore (Dean Martin)
That's Life (Frank Sinatra)
They Can't Take That Away From Me (Various artists)
Things (Bobby Darin/Robbie Williams)
Thou Swell (Nat ‘King’ Cole)
Volare (Dean Martin)
Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra)
We’ve Got A World That Swings (Sinatra / Bublé)
What Now My Love? (Frank Sinatra)
Who’s Sorry Now (various)
Witchcraft (Frank Sinatra)
You Do Something To Me (Frank Sinatra)
You Make Me Feel So Young (Frank Sinatra)
Your’e Nobody Until Somebody Loves You (Dean Martin)
JOHN LABELLE – SONG LIST
Latin & Mellow Sounds
Pop & Vegas Legends
Always (Diana Krall)
Are You Lonesome Tonight (Elvis Presley)
Around The World (Nat ‘King’ Cole)
As Time Goes By (from Casablanca)
At Long Last Love (Cole Porter / Frank Sinatra)
Autumn Leaves (Nat King Cole)
Be My Love (Mario Lanza)
Besamé Mucho (Andrea Bocelli / Diana Krall)
Bewiched (Theme)
Cry Me A River (Michael Bublé/Julie London)
Desafinado (Stan Getz)
Dreamer (Jobim)
Fascination (Nat King Cole / Al Martino)
From Russia With Love (Matt Munro)
Gentle Rain (Louis Bonfa)
Georgia (Ray Charles)
Girl From Ipanema (Astrud Gilberto)
I Left My Heart In San Francisco (Tony Bennett)
I Wish You Love (Sinatra / Count Basie)
I’ll Be Seeing You (Rod Stewart)
I’m Glad There Is You (various)
I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (Fred Astaire)
Isn’t It Romantic (Rod Stewart)
It’s Impossible (Perry Como)
London By Night (Matt Munro)
Look of Love (Dusty Springfield)
Love Scene (Tony Bennett)
Meditation (Jobim)
Misty (Johnny Mathis)
Mona Lisa (Nat 'King' Cole)
Moon River (Andy Williams)
My Funny Valentine (Rod Stewart)
Shadow Of Your Smile (Tony Bennett / Sinatra)
Smack Dab In The Middle (Ray Charles)
Smooth Operator (Sade)
Something Stupid (Frank & Nancy Sinatra)
Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Eva Cassidy)
Summertime (Ella Fitzgerald)
Tea For Two (Diana Krall)
Tell Me All About Yourself (Nat ‘King’ Cole)
The Nearness of You (Julie London/various)
The Nearness Of You (Rod Stewart)
There Is No Greater Love (Amy Winehouse)
This Masquerade (George Benson)
Time In A Bottle (Jim Croce)
Unforgettable (Nat 'King'Cole)
Walking My Baby Back Home (Natalie/Nat ‘King’ Cole)
What A Difference A Day Made (Dinah Washington)
What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
When I Fall In Love (Nat 'King' Cole)
Where Or When (Rod Stewart)
Can't Take My Eyes Off You (Andy Williams)
Copacabana (Barry Manilow)
Isn't She Lovely (Stevie Wonder)
It's Not Unusual (Tom Jones)
Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
Just The Way You Look Tonight (Rod Stewart)
Moondance (Van Morrison)
Music To Watch Girls By (Andy Williams)
Papa Loves Mambo (Perry Como)
Quando Quando Quando (E Humperdinck)
Rock and Roll Music (Chuck Berry / Beatles)
Route 66 (Nat King Cole)
Save The Last Dance For Me (Michael Bublé)
Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond)
Viva Las Vegas (Elvis Presley)
When I Take My Sugar To Tea (Nat King Cole)
You Are The Sunshine of My Life (Stevie Wonder)
Christmas
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
I’ll Be Home For Christmas
Rudolf The Red-Nosed Reindeer
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting)
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
White Christmas
Winter Wonderland
John Labelle
Don’t Say No
First Call
I Love Her
It’s So Lovely
My Favorite Time Of Year (Christmas)
Not This Time
You’re Heart Isn’t In It Anymore
JOHN LABELLE – BIOGRAPHY
Beginning in 1996, John began a successful collaboration with
guitarist Greg Clayton, and when not performing elsewhere
John's dedication and love for his music, as well as the
enthusiastic support of loyal fans, kept Labelle and Clayton
performing six nights a week at the Modavie Jazz Bar and
other venues in the Montreal area for the past fifteen years.
With over 400 standard songs and over 2000 performances to
date, Labelle and Clayton are well established favourites on
the Montreal Jazz scene.
John has performed numerous concerts throughout his career.
For eight years he was the male vocalist with the Montreal Big
Band. He has performed to audiences of 100,000 at the
Montreal International Jazz Festival in 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999
and 2004, sharing the same stage as many legendary vocalists
including Tony Bennett, Diana Krall and Michael Bublé.
John Labelle was born in Montreal, Canada and has been a
jazz fan for as long as he can remember. From an early age, he
listened to the great big band vocalists, including Tony
Bennett, Mel Tormé, Rosemary Clooney and Frank Sinatra,
who would later become one of his greatest influences. John's
smooth as silk vocals are often compared to Harry Connick Jr.,
Mel Tormé and Frank Sinatra.
John has been performing as a professional singer for over 25
years. One of John’s first public performances was at the age
of 19 at the famous Biddle’s Jazz Nightclub in Montreal. While
working there John came into contact with many of Montreal’s
top musicians, and quickly gained a good reputation on the
Montreal jazz scene. While still in his teens John went on to
secure a summer contract singing in a four-star golf and ski
resort in Bromont, Quebec with more work to follow.
In 1995, John produced his first album ‘If You See Her’
released on his own label. This recording of standards and one
of his own original songs resulted in an invitation to perform at
the 1995 Montreal International Jazz Festival, where he was
heard by the President of Jazz Inspiration Records who
immediately signed him to a recording contract. ‘If You See
Her’ was re-released on the Jazz Inspiration label and
distributed by MCA Canada.
In 1997, John released his second album on the Jazz
Inspiration label ‘Don’t Say No’ an album of widely praised
original compositions. Produced by Radio Canada's Alain De
Grosbois and featuring the arranging talents of New York's
Bob Parsons, this recording and the tour that followed
resulted in John being named 1998 Male Vocalist of The Year
by Toronto’s The Jazz Report Magazine, a highly sought after
Jazz award.
From 1998 to the present John has continued to hone his craft
while touring on three continents. A few of his many shows
and appearances have included performances in Shanghai,
Hong Kong, Beijing, Chicago, the Blue Note in New York and
the Smithsonian Jazz Café in Washington, DC. More recently
since 2011 John has been entertaining audiences around the
world on some of the largest and most prestigious cruise ships.
John’s recordings are constantly heard on Jazz Radio
throughout Canada, the U.S. and more recently Europe. In
2003 after three years of preparation, John released his third
CD album 'Too Close For Comfort' and the results speak for
themselves. Critically acclaimed as one of the finest voices of
the new millennium, elegant and to the point, his singing
brings a new focus to a well-chosen repertoire of American
Jazz Classics. A further two recordings followed with 'A
Montreal Christmas Collection', featuring two new Labelle
compositions sure to become Christmas standards, and 'I
Get A Kick Out Of You' John's unique interpretations
of many Rat Pack standards.
John has appeared on many TV and Radio shows, including a
live in-studio concert presented in full on COOL TV broadcast
across North America to rave reviews.
Direct from the Rat Pack Inspired 'The Three Crooners'
Theatre Show, in promotion of the successful 'Here Come The
Boys: A Canadian Crooner Collection' for Universal Music
Canada, John has since featured on the 2013 top-ten chart
album ‘The Montreal Sessions’ with the North America Jazz
Alliance on Challenge Records (Europe).
John's has eight studio album releases and continues to wow
his audiences all around the world. In 2014 John released two
new recordings including 'Love Should Swing' a collection of
standards in John's inimitable style and the 'Best of John
Labelle', both beautiful examples of Labelle's range as a
performer.