New Jazz Singer Sophie Milman
Swings into Spanos Theatre Oct. 16

SAN LUIS OBISPO -- Sophie Milman and her swinging quartet performs at the Spanos Theatre at 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2008.

“Milman jumps to the front of the post-Diana Krall pack of jazz singers who are as wise and witty as they are musically astute.” (Jazz Times)

“A stunning vocalist…Milman sings in a throaty, emotional alto with just a touch of vibrato that swings, soars, seduces, and sighs with conversational phrasing, a natural flow and excellent pitch.” (The Seattle Times)

For the past year, Milman and her infectious voice have been enchanting audiences with sold-out concert dates across the U.S., Asia, Europe, and Canada.

A critically-acclaimed star on the rise, Billboard’s “jazz gem” continues to ride the wave of success with recently winning the 2008 Juno Award (Canada’s version of a Grammy) for “Vocal Jazz Album of the Year” for her 2006 release, Make Someone Happy.

Her critically-acclaimed release’s soulful renditions of modern classics and favorites (“Fever,” “It Might As Well Be Spring,” “People Will Say We’re In Love”) are all executed with the utmost originality and a distinctive style.

At 24, Milman’s voice and musicality bear passion and wisdom beyond her years, perhaps informed by her colorful and, at times, dramatic past.

Milman emigrated with her family from Russia to Israel at the age of seven and was uprooted again at age 16 to seek a new life in Canada. Her professional transformation into glamorous jazz singer began and after only a few public engagements, she was offered a record contract.

Her 2004 self-titled debut CD sold almost 100,000 copies worldwide, hit the Billboard “Top 5” in Canada and the “Top 15” in the U.S. The release also topped the iTunes jazz charts in five different territories.

That first CD earned Milman a 2006 Juno Award nomination for “Vocal Jazz Album of the Year” and her growing popularity landed her stage appearances with international musical superstars like Aaron Neville and the Neville Brothers, Chick Corea, and Jesse Cook.

Milman is currently touring with her quartet in support of her award-winning album.

“While my first album (Sophie Milman) dealt with my youth spent migrating through different countries and cultures and the passion for jazz that helped see me through it, Make Someone Happy is about my life transformed over the last three years,” Milman explains.

“This album reflects intense feelings and a time spent trying to make everyone happy – family, friends, loved ones, and my fans.”

With so much already accomplished, Sophie Milman is clearly “a star in the making…the sky’s the limit for this exceptional young artist.” (Los Angeles Times)

General public tickets for the SOPHIE MILMAN performance are $34 with student discounts available on all seats.

All tickets may be purchased at the Performing Arts Ticket Office, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. To order by phone, call 805/756-2787; to order by fax: 805/756-6088. Order on-line at www.calpolyarts.org.

###

New Jazz Singer Sophie Milman Swings into Spanos Theatre Oct. 16

New Jazz Singer Sophie Milman
Swings into Spanos Theatre Oct. 16