Southern Maryland Arts & Culture
Gretchen Richie... Jazz Cabaret
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GRETCHEN RICHIE … Jazz Cabaret
Gretchen Richie has had a truly versatile singing career. She's performed in a rock ‘n’ roll band, accompanied herself on guitar in coffee houses with her own folk-inspired compositions, and even performed in a variety of musical theatre productions. She finally settled into jazz and the popular song in 1987, when she formed her Jazz Cabaret group along with her husband and pianist Randy Richie. Gretchen has performed locally at numerous DC-area venues, including Blues Alley in Georgetown. She’s also performed nationally and internationally, including Boca Raton, FL, Palm Springs, CA as well as France. Since 2000, Gretchen has been the featured entertainer at the Café des Artistes in her hometown of Leonardtown, MD. She’s recorded two CDs: ‘Close Your Eyes’, and ‘It Could Happen To You’. Her extensive repertoire focuses on the great popular standard as well as soulful pop tunes. Depending on the engagement, her group ranges from three to five performers. She also offers the following theme shows: |
‘The Music of George Gershwin’
‘The Music of Rodgers & Hart’
‘The Music of Cole Porter’
‘The Songs of Sinatra’
‘Songs of Nat King Cole'
‘Broadway’s Golden Era’
‘Kind of Blues’
‘Songs of the ‘50s & ‘60s’
‘Bossa Nova Night’
‘Songs of Fred Astaire'
‘French Show’
‘Swing Into Spring’
‘Music of the Holidays’
‘16 Most Requested Songs’
‘Songs from WWII’
‘The Music of Rodgers & Hart’
‘The Music of Cole Porter’
‘The Songs of Sinatra’
‘Songs of Nat King Cole'
‘Broadway’s Golden Era’
‘Kind of Blues’
‘Songs of the ‘50s & ‘60s’
‘Bossa Nova Night’
‘Songs of Fred Astaire'
‘French Show’
‘Swing Into Spring’
‘Music of the Holidays’
‘16 Most Requested Songs’
‘Songs from WWII’
Her music has been heard on select jazz radio stations in Washington DC, Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Virginia Beach, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Cleveland, Ohio. And thanks to the internet, she has fans throughout the U.S., Europe, South America and Japan!
What the Critics Say about Gretchen Richie:
"Gretchen doesn't make songs larger than life. Instead she makes them exactly life-size, just the right dimensions to create genuine human warmth. She doesn't take you to the mountaintop--she finds where you are. Her way of doing things gives me something that I don't get from any other singer."
—Jeffrey Chappell - Concert pianist, Recording artist, Journalist and Jazz Studies Director, Goucher College
“…Richie brings to mind smoke-filled jazz clubs with the spotlight on the sultry singer on stage, backed by her small set of musicians. …The music is seductive.”
—Gwyneth J. Saunders, Southern Maryland Weekend
“Gretchen Richie brings the full force of her considerable talent and intelligence to her vocals; her voice can be velvet or brass, a whisper or a lament, depending on the mood of the song.”
—Pat Ullberg, The Calvert Recorder
“It’s not hard to imagine Richie performing these songs…and nearly silencing the room with her unforced delivery and first-rate repertoire."
—Mike Joyce, The Washington Post
“Gretchen is different and refreshing…”
—Jamal Muhammad, WPFW-FM
“Her CD is absolutely marvelous. After I played it on the air several listeners called asking, ‘Who is THAT?’ Makes for some wonderful listening. I’ll play her again…and again!”
—Donnie McKethan, WPFW-FM
“Gretchen demonstrates wide vocal range and proves her ability to conquer difficult songs… Her voice is sweet, clear and unpretentious…(and she) sings as if she is experiencing every word.”
—Diane Gibbs, The Old Town Crier
“Gretchen’s heartfelt evocation of the Great American Songbook instantly transports one to that place where Gershwin and Porter set the agenda and everything is love and lush and let’s face the music and dance…She enthralled the crowded room."
—Dave Nuttycombe, washingtoncitypaper.com
What the Critics Say about Gretchen Richie:
"Gretchen doesn't make songs larger than life. Instead she makes them exactly life-size, just the right dimensions to create genuine human warmth. She doesn't take you to the mountaintop--she finds where you are. Her way of doing things gives me something that I don't get from any other singer."
—Jeffrey Chappell - Concert pianist, Recording artist, Journalist and Jazz Studies Director, Goucher College
“…Richie brings to mind smoke-filled jazz clubs with the spotlight on the sultry singer on stage, backed by her small set of musicians. …The music is seductive.”
—Gwyneth J. Saunders, Southern Maryland Weekend
“Gretchen Richie brings the full force of her considerable talent and intelligence to her vocals; her voice can be velvet or brass, a whisper or a lament, depending on the mood of the song.”
—Pat Ullberg, The Calvert Recorder
“It’s not hard to imagine Richie performing these songs…and nearly silencing the room with her unforced delivery and first-rate repertoire."
—Mike Joyce, The Washington Post
“Gretchen is different and refreshing…”
—Jamal Muhammad, WPFW-FM
“Her CD is absolutely marvelous. After I played it on the air several listeners called asking, ‘Who is THAT?’ Makes for some wonderful listening. I’ll play her again…and again!”
—Donnie McKethan, WPFW-FM
“Gretchen demonstrates wide vocal range and proves her ability to conquer difficult songs… Her voice is sweet, clear and unpretentious…(and she) sings as if she is experiencing every word.”
—Diane Gibbs, The Old Town Crier
“Gretchen’s heartfelt evocation of the Great American Songbook instantly transports one to that place where Gershwin and Porter set the agenda and everything is love and lush and let’s face the music and dance…She enthralled the crowded room."
—Dave Nuttycombe, washingtoncitypaper.com
