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“All I Ask for Christmas” Album Release
Pianist and vocalist Peggy Duquesnel will release “All I Ask for Christmas,” a double-disc set comprised of instrumental and vocal renditions of holiday standards and spirited originals.
The album concept is to take familiar Christmas songs and put them with unique arrangements that have a jazz influence, but that are all accessible to a broad audience. In the process of making the album, she decided to do instrumental versions of the vocal songs. Peggy is both a vocalist and an instrumentalist and enjoys playing these songs just as much instrumentally as vocally…– JAZZCORNER NEWS
Duquesnel is having a prolific year. In April, she released “Seems Like I Know You,” a five-song EP that she produced with noted contemporary jazz musicians Jeff Lorber and Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets) on which she exercised her fitness as an adult contemporary singer-songwriter while engaging her light jazz muscles.
The instrumental portion of “All I Ask for Christmas” is a return to the classically-trained pianist’s roots in straight-ahead jazz presented with elements of adult pop, contemporary jazz and inspirational material on this, her seventh full-length outing…– JAZZ HQ
“An elegant and sophisticated riff on Christmas favorites and inspired originals!”
Christmas does seem to come earlier every year but a little holiday heads up on Christmas releases can hopefully save you a little time, trouble and effort this year. Peggy Duquesnel’s All I Ask For Christmas hits the shelves on November 5th and this two disc set is classic Christmas with a slight contemporary twist. A two disc set may seem like too much music for some but this is actually where the release takes off with one instrumental and one vocal disc.
Peggy Duquesnel has an old school voice with style, sophistication and the ability to play catch and release with a note that rivals some of the major label singers that bang out overly commercial and equally as predictable seasonal releases. The band here is first rate including bassist Brian Bromberg and drummer Joe La Barbera while the entire accompanying quartet is on point, spirits are also raised with special guest Rick Braun on flugelhorn. The instrumental disc has the traditional cast of lyrical characters including “Little Drummer Boy” along with “O Christmas Tree” and “What Child Is This.” The vocal disc ventures into some inspired originals including the delightful title track “All I Ask For Christmas.”
Whether you dig your Christmas music straight ahead, contemporary, smooth or perhaps extra chunky there are no disappointments here. Peggy Duquesnel brings her critically acclaimed talents as both vocalist and pianist to fruition with a solid Christmas release destined to be in your regular rotation for years to come!– BRENT BLACK, BOP-N-JAZZ | WWW.CRITICALJAZZ.COM
“Seems Like I Know You” Album Release
“Pianist/vocalist and composer Peggy Duquesnel releases a 5 song EP here that mixes gentle Pop and Jazz with some of the best LA cats around. Along with Jeff Lorber/key, Jimmy Haslip/b, Rick Braun/tp-fh, Michael Thompson and a collection of background vocalists and drummers, she displays excellent depth in lyrics about intriguing aspects of relationships. Her warm and reassuring voice gently glides over the title track, while a funky feel permeates through “When I Think of You” and “Bird on a Leash” (which also features some nice horn work by Braun). Duquensel continues to move forward in presenting music gentle on your mind.”
– George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
“This project is a thoroughly enjoyable offering, and if I wore a hat, I’d certainly be taking it off to Peggy and friends. High marks for arrangements and production as well. The 5 track EP is somewhat of a departure from Peggy’s Jazz and inspirational repertoire,
demonstrating that the lady can deliver on any level she chooses.”– Michele Wilson-Morris, The Entertainment Bank
“With mad skills and a great attitude, Duquesnel is a stock whose arrow is pointing straight up. Duquesnel has some killer skill sets as a contemporary singer songwriter and along the way has got to know the great Jeff Lorber and Jimmy Haslip for co-production help in Seems Like I Know You. Peggy Duquesnel wrote or co-wrote four tunes including the the first radio single “When I Think Of You” which is a little R&B nasty kicked up a notch with horn powered depth of Rick Braun on trumpet and flugelhorn. From a vocal standpoint think “Sunday morning jazz” and you have Peggy nailed. Another gem from this release includes “That’s How It Aways Goes” with Haslip’s bass turning a melancholy sonic sea into an optimistic adventure with the closing tune in a tasty cover of the Carpenter’s “Rainy Days and Mondays.” Duquesnel has a voice as smooth and easy as Sunday morning coffee and the talents of Lorber and Haslip certainly speak for themselves.”
– Brent Black, Critical Jazz
“One truly admirable piece of art.”
“Relaxing and exhilarating at the same time, Duquesnel is a double threat. She can either nab you with her gentle vocals or her suave and competent work on piano. The magnetism of the subtle and well-arranged finale “Bird on a Leash” is, at once, seductive and
classy with Lorber on guitar and Braun’s trumpet complementing the vocals and piano of Duquesnel.
Lorber co-wrote track two, “When I Think of You,” with Duquesnel, a light and snappy number featuring Duquesnel’s serene vocals, Lorber on guitar, the smooth soothing groove of guest trumpeter Rick Braun, and the thick runs of bassist Haslip. The cover of the 1971 Carpenters melodically sweet tune “Rainy Days and Mondays” shows off Duquesnel’s vocals and piano skills handsomely.”– Ronald Jackson, Smooth Jazz Ride
“Summertime Lullaby” Album Release
“LA – based Peggy Duquesnel sings, plays piano and writes in the jazz tradition of guys like Dick Hyman and Ralph Sutton…she brings her clear yet unassuming voice to mature originals like ‘Promised Land’ and the title track.”
– George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
“The title song is an original with a lovely melody and touching lyrics…’In The Quiet Hours’ and ‘Promised Land,’ are two other originals that further demonstrate how well the entertainer matches music and words.”
– Cam Miller, The American Rag
“Peggy Duquesnel sounds like a smokier version of Rosemary Clooney. Her voice is bright and buoyant with burnt honey shadings…”
– Alonzo Weston, St. Joseph News-Press
“Duquesnel’s keyboards are right on time all the way through the album and clearly show her love
of playing.”– Dick Metcalf, Improvijazzation Nation
“She writes some nice tunes, like the title cut. And her choice of standards suit her own vocal
style.”– Grego Applegate Edwards, Gapplegate
“The original tracks on Summertime Lullaby are sensitive and sincere; you can hear for yourself
how much Duquesnel has put into writing the lyrics and composing the music.”– The Muse’s Muse
“Orange County jazz pianist Peggy Duquesnel, who played keyboards in Warwick’s band from 1996 to 1998, recalls that period with fondness. ‘Dionne had a very natural way with the audience, telling little stories, and her singing was so musical,’ she says. ‘She had a great respect for the songwriters, and that came through in performance. It was an honor to work for her.’”
– Kirk Silsbee, Arroyo: Deja Vu
“Her voice is very calming like Janis Siegel, where you not only hear her love for jazz and singing,
but simply a love of music.”– John Book, This is Book’s MusicORNER NEWS
“Her voice is clear and pure and she is unafraid to divide her arrangements between extended
piano solos and the lyrics of the songs she has arranged.”– Grady Harp, Amazon Editorial Review
“Peggy Duquesnel has all the accoutrements needed to make a lasting and positive impression on
listeners’ minds.”– Susan Frances, Jazz Inside
“Duquesnel’s vocals, be they bluesy or joyful are tailored to the many moods of the season. Some of her solo work, such as “Satin Doll” and “Take the ‘A’ Train” manifest themselves as heartfelt tributes to their respective composers, peer to peer, as it were.”
– Bob Gish, Jazz Inside
“Duquesnel knows how to reach her audience and her singing is very appealing. ‘Stay As Sweet As You Are,’ composed by Mack Gordon and Harry Revel has truly sweet lyrics and, for me, was an emotional experience to see and hear live from Duquesnel’s quartet.”
– Glenn A. Mitchell, L.A. Jazz Scene
“This album is a treasure for the discerning ear… It is jazz at its best. Her piano solo makes one’s
foot tap and brings a smile…”– John Gilbert, Jazzreview
“The California-based singer has come up with some smooth arrangements for a clutch of well loved jazz standards, interspersed with four of her own compositions including the languid title track, which sets the scene for a thoroughly enjoyable set.”
– Piers Ford, “The Art of the Torch Singer”
