Jazz singer and songwriter Carol Heffler of West Windsor presents the first public appearance of her new CD, “Exactly” on Saturday, February 26 at 8 p.m. at Lambertville Station. Performing with Heffler on the CD are members of the Carol Heffler Quintet: John Bianculli, on piano; Angelo DiBraccio, saxaphone; Steve Varner, bass; and Dave Mohn, drums. At the CD release party she will perform three of her new songs as well as new arrangements of standards including “Willow Weep for Me” and “Lullaby of Birdland.”
Born in Maryland, Heffler grew up in Summit, New Jersey, and began studying jazz piano at age 15. A graduate of Hood College with a degree in music, she received a masters in music degree from University of Massachusetts Amherst. She was awarded Best Female Jazz Vocalist by the International Association of Jazz Educators. Her master’s thesis “The Vocal Jazz Style of Eddie Jefferson,” became a featured article and solo transcription in Jazz Magazine.
Along the way, she formed her first trio while studying at University of Michigan. While in Boston, she performed with her jazz quintet, and opened for Mercer Ellington and Wood Herman orchestras.
Drawn to New York City, she collaborated with song and jingle writer Marilyn Harris. Heffler sang commercials for Nestea, Nestles, Impulse perfume, and Dimension shampoo. In 1981, her song “Strong Steady Love” was published by Shapiro and Bernstein and recorded by the Markley Band on Accord Records.
Her recording, “Sea Dreams,” a recording or original songs and jazz, was released in 1993. Her first CD, “Pull of the Moon,” was released in 1998. On it, she is joined by a jazz quartet featuring pianist John Bianculli. The new CD, “Exactly,” is a combination of original songs and covers by artists including James Taylor, Sade, and Leon Russell. It is available at CDbaby.com and will be sold in Tower Records and Barnes and Noble.
The Carol Heffler Quintet, formed in November, 2002, has performed at Red Bank Blues and Jazz Festival, Grounds for Sculpture, Odettes in New Hope, Nassau Park Pavilion, Lambertville Station, and at Cornelia Street Cafe and Chez Suzette in New York City.
For information, photos of Heffler’s past, and her schedule, visit www.carolheffler.net.
Carol Heffler, Lambertville Station, 11 Bridge Street, Lambertville, 609-397-4400. 8 p.m.
