Here is a list of some of the most authentic voices I’ve heard:
Peter Eldridge – A phenomenal singer/songwriter who is a founding member of the Grammy award winning group New York Voices. A lyrical master, I have been a fan of Peter’s original songs for years. His unique sound and writing make him a musical talent in a league with James Taylor and Carole King. Peter has several solo projects to his credit and is also an instructor at the esteemed Mahnattan School in NYC.
Ann Hampton Callaway – Ann has been using her authentic voice from the beginning. An accomplished songwriter, Ann penned several songs recorded by the likes of Barbara Striesand and Carole King - to name a few. As a performer, her warm voice can tell a story like no other. Listen to her sing and you will know the definition of authenticity. Read her lyrics and you’ll feel it. She’s one of my personal favorites.
Shirley Horn – Shirley Horn was a master pianist and vocalist who embarked on a career in jazz, even though she’d had other intentions. Those of us who have listened to her velvet tones are grateful that she followed the route she did. She was most noted for her ability to accompany herself with nearly incomparable independence and ability on the piano while singing, and for her rich, lush, smoky, alto voice.
Stephen Sondheim – A musical visionary, Stephen Sondheim has been making his authentic voice heard since his first notable collaboration with Leondard Bernstein on “West Side Story.” For me, I think it was my introduction to the music of “Evening Primrose” that made me a fan of Sondheim’s music and lyrics. The quirky, unique setting of the story and the depth of the characters reaches out to me to this day.