Jazz vocalist Anita Wardell has been acclaimed for the unique artistry she … Read Full Bio ↴Jazz vocalist Anita Wardell has been acclaimed for the unique artistry she brings to scat and be-bop singing. Raves from peers and critics alike have cemented her reputation as one of Britain 's finest vocalists.
Born in Guildford, UK, Anita emigrated to Australia with her family as child. Enraptured by movie musicals on TV, she soaked up the classics by Rodgers and Hammerstein and Cole Porter. Equipped with a portable tape player, she would record the songs off the set and listen to them countless times. She often explored her father's collection of big band albums by Duke Ellington, Count Basie and many more. During her teens, works by the likes of Clifford Brown, Miles Davis and Charlie Parker exposed her to the complexities of modern jazz while she learned her vocal craft from greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Mark Murphy, Carmen McRae, Betty Carter and Jon Hendricks.
Attending Adelaide University in South Australia, Anita worked toward a performance in jazz and improvised music and worked regularly on the Australian jazz circuit. Performing with a host of local and international artists, including American saxophonist Richie Cole at the Kiama Jazz Festival and supporting the legendary Sarah Vaughan at the Sydney Opera House, her classroom studies were supplemented by real-life experience. Her recording career began when she joined the Adelaide Connection, formed in 1979-80. Founded by Adelaide native John McKenzie, who directed the group until the early 90s, the Connection enjoyed visits from distinguished guest artists and arrangers like Dr. Kirby Shaw, Phil Mattson, Don Burrows and James Morrison. Anita joined the group at its inception and credits the experience for teaching her how to "blend in with other singers and really listen!" Adelaide Connection recorded two albums (Makin' Whoopee and Nice and Easy) and toured throughout Australia.
Anita returned to London in 1989, continuing her studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, completing a yearlong course in jazz and studio music. Now touring extensively throughout the UK and Europe, Anita played festival and club dates with appearances at the venerable London jazz club Ronnie Scotts, the Royal Festival Hall, National Theatre and a yearly stint at the Paradise Festival in Cyprus each September.
In 1995, Anita went into the studio with pianist Liam Noble to record an album's worth of material with the hopes of finding a label to release it. After shopping the CD around, they signed a deal with FMR Records. Why Do You Cry? was released to great praise. Pioneer Mark Murphy proclaimed Anita, "a gift from Australia", adding "what hits me is how expressive her ballad singing is. Then she has the courage to scat a ballad or two, not unlike a young lady disciple of the Ben Webster school."
Singer Norma Winstone praises her "…unexpected vulnerability, which makes her reading of the ballads both beautiful and touching. Her honesty shines in this well-chosen collection of songs…" Jazzwise Magazine called her "energetic and inventive" while The Guardian proclaimed her "a model of the Jazz singer's art." Nearly universal praise was lavished for her timing, clarity, improvisational skills and emotional resonance.
A BBC documentary for Channel Four found Anita in the company of Kurt Elling and Dee Dee Bridgewater in a salute to Ella Fitzgerald entitled "Jazz Heroes". "I really enjoyed working on the Ella Tribute," Anita says. "Having grown up listening and transcribing Ella solos, I felt so excited to be asked to talk about one of my great inspirations. Scat is a big part of what I do and so to be able to comment on scat syllables, style and phrasing was a great experience for me."
Anita continued to work throughout the UK with her trio: pianist Robin Aspland, bassist Jeremy Brown and drummer Gene Calderazzo. Aspland has worked with George Coleman, Bobby Watson, Steve Grossman, Van Morrison, Georgie Fame and is the pianist for Curtis Stigers when he tours England . Calderazzo hails from New York where he worked with legends Joe Henderson, Lionel Hampton and Michael Brecker. Moving to London in 1995, he has become one of the most demanded jazz drummers in Europe . Brown studied at the Royal Academy of Music and has become a very sought-after sideman throughout the UK .
Anita and her trio returned to the studio in 1999 and recorded Straight Ahead, released on 33 Jazz. Critics praised her "vibrant delivery," finding in her style the "sweetness of Ella, the creativity of Mark Murphy whilst using her laughter, sadness and technique to tell a story like no other (Amazon). Japan 's most popular jazz publication, Swing Journal, gave its endorsement, writing, "…she's the real thing who can fluently scat and vocalese!"
Her latest CD, Until the Stars Fade, finds Anita returning to her first love, tackling Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein and Rogers and Hart. She and her trio deftly interpret well-known standards in a fresh way, whether it's playful scatting on an energetic "Get out of Town" or a tender reading of "Make Someone Happy". Throughout the disc, her vocalese rivals the storied lyricists in its expressiveness. It's no wonder The Guardian calls her "one of Britain 's most exciting talents."
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Born in Guildford, UK, Anita emigrated to Australia with her family as child. Enraptured by movie musicals on TV, she soaked up the classics by Rodgers and Hammerstein and Cole Porter. Equipped with a portable tape player, she would record the songs off the set and listen to them countless times. She often explored her father's collection of big band albums by Duke Ellington, Count Basie and many more. During her teens, works by the likes of Clifford Brown, Miles Davis and Charlie Parker exposed her to the complexities of modern jazz while she learned her vocal craft from greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Mark Murphy, Carmen McRae, Betty Carter and Jon Hendricks.
Attending Adelaide University in South Australia, Anita worked toward a performance in jazz and improvised music and worked regularly on the Australian jazz circuit. Performing with a host of local and international artists, including American saxophonist Richie Cole at the Kiama Jazz Festival and supporting the legendary Sarah Vaughan at the Sydney Opera House, her classroom studies were supplemented by real-life experience. Her recording career began when she joined the Adelaide Connection, formed in 1979-80. Founded by Adelaide native John McKenzie, who directed the group until the early 90s, the Connection enjoyed visits from distinguished guest artists and arrangers like Dr. Kirby Shaw, Phil Mattson, Don Burrows and James Morrison. Anita joined the group at its inception and credits the experience for teaching her how to "blend in with other singers and really listen!" Adelaide Connection recorded two albums (Makin' Whoopee and Nice and Easy) and toured throughout Australia.
Anita returned to London in 1989, continuing her studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, completing a yearlong course in jazz and studio music. Now touring extensively throughout the UK and Europe, Anita played festival and club dates with appearances at the venerable London jazz club Ronnie Scotts, the Royal Festival Hall, National Theatre and a yearly stint at the Paradise Festival in Cyprus each September.
In 1995, Anita went into the studio with pianist Liam Noble to record an album's worth of material with the hopes of finding a label to release it. After shopping the CD around, they signed a deal with FMR Records. Why Do You Cry? was released to great praise. Pioneer Mark Murphy proclaimed Anita, "a gift from Australia", adding "what hits me is how expressive her ballad singing is. Then she has the courage to scat a ballad or two, not unlike a young lady disciple of the Ben Webster school."
Singer Norma Winstone praises her "…unexpected vulnerability, which makes her reading of the ballads both beautiful and touching. Her honesty shines in this well-chosen collection of songs…" Jazzwise Magazine called her "energetic and inventive" while The Guardian proclaimed her "a model of the Jazz singer's art." Nearly universal praise was lavished for her timing, clarity, improvisational skills and emotional resonance.
A BBC documentary for Channel Four found Anita in the company of Kurt Elling and Dee Dee Bridgewater in a salute to Ella Fitzgerald entitled "Jazz Heroes". "I really enjoyed working on the Ella Tribute," Anita says. "Having grown up listening and transcribing Ella solos, I felt so excited to be asked to talk about one of my great inspirations. Scat is a big part of what I do and so to be able to comment on scat syllables, style and phrasing was a great experience for me."
Anita continued to work throughout the UK with her trio: pianist Robin Aspland, bassist Jeremy Brown and drummer Gene Calderazzo. Aspland has worked with George Coleman, Bobby Watson, Steve Grossman, Van Morrison, Georgie Fame and is the pianist for Curtis Stigers when he tours England . Calderazzo hails from New York where he worked with legends Joe Henderson, Lionel Hampton and Michael Brecker. Moving to London in 1995, he has become one of the most demanded jazz drummers in Europe . Brown studied at the Royal Academy of Music and has become a very sought-after sideman throughout the UK .
Anita and her trio returned to the studio in 1999 and recorded Straight Ahead, released on 33 Jazz. Critics praised her "vibrant delivery," finding in her style the "sweetness of Ella, the creativity of Mark Murphy whilst using her laughter, sadness and technique to tell a story like no other (Amazon). Japan 's most popular jazz publication, Swing Journal, gave its endorsement, writing, "…she's the real thing who can fluently scat and vocalese!"
Her latest CD, Until the Stars Fade, finds Anita returning to her first love, tackling Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein and Rogers and Hart. She and her trio deftly interpret well-known standards in a fresh way, whether it's playful scatting on an energetic "Get out of Town" or a tender reading of "Make Someone Happy". Throughout the disc, her vocalese rivals the storied lyricists in its expressiveness. It's no wonder The Guardian calls her "one of Britain 's most exciting talents."
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Devil May Care
Anita Wardell Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Devil May Care' by these artists:
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra No cares for me I'm happy as I can be…
Bing Crosby Here goes, looks like I'm falling Call me "Devil May Care" I…
Bob Dorough No cares for me I'm happy as I can be I've…
Bob Dorough & Dave Frishberg No cares for me I'm happy as I can be…
Bruce Robison The coffee is cold, the story is old, The letter…
Connie Lansberg No cares for me I'm happy as I can be I've learned…
Diana Krall No cares for me I'm happy as I can be…
Dick Todd No cares for me I'm happy as I can be…
Fae Why am I so obsessive I never learn my lesson But it's…
Frank Sinatra Here goes Looks like I'm falling Call me devil-may care I kn…
Frank Sinatra & The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra Here goes, Looks like I'm falling, Call me devil-may car…
Frank Sinatra & Tommy Dorsey Here goes Looks like I'm falling Call me devil-may care I kn…
Frank Sinatra and Tommy Dorsey Orchestra Here goes, Looks like I'm falling, Call me devil-may car…
Frank Sinatra with Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra Here goes, looks like I 'm falling, call me devil-may…
Frank Sinatra with Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra No cares for me I'm happy as I can be…
Frank Sinatra; Tommy Dorsey Here goes, Looks like I'm falling, Call me devil-may car…
Gil Evans No cares for me I'm happy as I can be…
Glenn Miller Here goes, looks like I'm falling Call me "Devil May…
Glenn Miller & His Orchestra Here goes, looks like I'm falling Call me "Devil May…
Glenn Miller & His Orchestra Feat. Ray Eberle Here goes, looks like I'm falling Call me "Devil May…
God Forsaken It is quiet in my heart This place, can't take it By…
Half Moon Run You was always saying that the devil may care That you're…
Jack Teagarden and His Orchestra No cares for me I'm happy as I can be…
JayteKz You I will kill you, you thought you You and your…
Melodic Death -- Susperia In the midst of the madness, all hope lost Chances of…
Miles Davis No cares for me I'm happy as I can be…
Mindless Faith DEVIL MAY CARE There′s a crowd to be deceived Another marty…
R. Scott Here goes, looks like I'm falling Call me "Devil May Care" I…
Raise Hell Nothing you offer is fine with me I live my…
Raul Midón No blues for me I'm happy as I can be I learn…
Son Volt Four on the floor with a halftime break Eight bars then…
Susperia In the midst of the madness, all hope lost Chances of…
Ted Weems & His Band No cares for me I'm happy as I can be…
The Glenn Miller Orchestra Here goes, looks like I'm falling Call me "Devil May…
Tom Wopat No cares for me I'm happy as I can be I've…
Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra Here goes Looks like I'm falling Call me devil-may care I kn…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Anita Wardell:
Autumn leaves The falling leaves drift by the window The autumn leaves of…
Blue Moon Blue moon you saw me standing alone Without a dream in…
But Not for Me Old man sunshine listen you Never tell me dreams come true J…
East of the Sun East of the sun and west of the moon We'll build…
I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues I gotta right to sing the blues I gotta right to…
The Meaning Of The Blues Do you know what it means to walk alone? And what…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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