Carol McCartney

Whether it’s a concert hall or nightclub, Carol McCartney’s impassioned and impeccable vocal style has made her a favourite among audiences and players alike. She has performed at all the major jazz clubs in Toronto and also has toured in the U.S. and Canada.

In the fall of 1980, Carol enrolled in the Sheridan Music Theatre Program without having any prior formal training. She often remembers Christina James, a faculty member, who recognized her natural abilities and high potential during many hours of vocal lessons. Carol starred as Sandy Olsen in Sheridan Theatre’s production of Grease, directed by Professor Rod Maxwell. Carol remembers being the “tallest Sandy in history!”

Carol recently recorded a CD –– Live at The Courthouse, September 19, 2007: A Night In Tunisia. Arranged by John Sherwood, it includes some of Canada’s jazz greats sitting in with Carol on some classic standards. Peter Appleyard, Guido Basso, Reg Schwager, Dave Young, Terry Clarke, Bob Brough, Chase Sanborn, Geoff Young and John MacLeod all make appearances.

Carol first met many of these jazz greats through Peter Appleyard; she’s worked with him since the early ‘80s. Mr. Appleyard, an original member of the Benny Goodman Septet, played a large role in Carol’s early years as a singer and she continues to make guest appearances on Peter’s concert and club dates, both in Canada and the U.S.

On these dates she has worked alongside many jazz legends, including Mel Lewis, Ed Bickert, Major Holly, Bucky Pizzarelli, and the late Slam Stewart.

Carol is often the featured vocalist for one of Canada’s premiere big bands, The Rex Hotel Orchestra, led by trumpeter/arranger John MacLeod. Appearing frequently with this 20-piece jazz orchestra, she performs to standing-room only audiences at The Rex Hotel, and in 2006 at the TD-Canada Trust Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival.

In 2007, she joined clarinet prodigy Dave Bennett and his septet on a U.S. tour of shows both symphonic and small group. Upcoming engagements can be found on her MySpace site: www.myspace.com/carolmccartney

Carol can also be heard on Bob Brough’s original CD Like a Spring Day, released in 2005; on trumpeter Chase Sanborn’s critically acclaimed CD’s Sweet & Low and Cut to the Chase; and on the JUNO-nominated recording Taking Flight with big band Freeflight.

National radio appearances include Ross Porter’s After Hours and Katie Malloch’s Jazz Beat, where she was featured with the Bob Brough Quartet.