Product Description Jazz Vocalist, Michelle Walker, has been described as a sultry and soul stirring singer in the styles of Cassandra Wilson, Sarah Vaughan, Betty Carter, Nancy Wilson and Diana Krall. The gifted singer has a way of making the lyrics come alive. In this DEBUT CD RELEASE, she expertly captures the mood of each tune and takes her audiences to harmonic highs. ~ She performs straight-ahead jazz standards written by the great songwriters of the past such as Johnny Mercer, Nat King Cole, Jerome Kearn, and Cole Porter as well as some of the best loved contemporary songs. Review Michelle was chosen as one of his April 2006 Top Ten jazz performances to see live. Others included, Toots Thielemans, Kenny Werner, Paul Bollenback Trio, Dave Liebman, Bucky Pizzarelli and the Yellowjackets. The Washington-bred jazz vocalist has a penchant for choice pop ballads, but it's her soulful voice and thoughtful interpretations that set her apart. Walker's new recording...has seductive charm... Slow Down is more than a title, it's an invitation that's hard to resist...[and it]...illustrates Walker's soulful and often soul-comforting allure. [She has]...a voice naturally tilted toward the blues end of the jazz spectrum --Mike Joyce, Washington PostFor a debut jazz vocals CD, SLOW DOWN is excitingly original in concept and innovative approach, and the vocals of Michelle Walker are topnotch. Michelle Walker has a sensual, restrained, melodic voice that will attract new listeners in the jazz listening audience. Every note is perfectly sounded, every emotion is perfectly visualized as well as vocalized, and her voice is very poignant. --Lee Prosser, Jazz ReviewMichelle Walker essentially entices with her vocal signature of relaxed phrasing and a bluesy frenzy similar to vocal stylings of Lady Day. Slow Down is an original that is truly her own style and innermost story. How wonderful are the things that we artists can create when we stick to our own voices. I'll surely look forward to her next release that shares that same vibe and innermost originality that Michelle expresses through her own niche of writing and arrangement. I demand more writing from Ms. Walker, for her own voice is what sets her apart from the rest. --Lisa Donaldson, Music Monthly About the Artist Born January 9, 1967 in Bohmholder, Germany Occasionally there comes along an artist that commands your attention. A sound that seems to transcends any particular genre. One that causes the listener to pause and take notice. For the modern Jazz world that artist is without question Michelle Walker. Her sound breathes a sense of unexpected familiarity to the listener. Not knowing what pleasures she will bring next to the microphone leaves you with anticipation. Her deep and stirring voice has won the acclaim of a broad audience in the local music scene in the Washington, DC area. She can be seen regularly at some of DC’s local jazz venues. See more