It’s Monday, & the final day 2012. What better way to celebrate than with this month’s edition of Any Woman’s Blues?
The featured artist for December is Natalia Zukerman, an exciting up & coming performer who is comfortable in any number of genres, & blends them all in her strong songwriting. But blues—& slide guitar, which is always near to my heart—is a sound & form that underlies much of her work, as you will hear in evidence in the two video selections.
Natalia Zukerman comes from Manhattan, & she was raised in a musical family: both her parents are virtuoso performers (her father is violinist/conductor Pinchas Zukerman & her mother is flutist Eugenia Zukerman), while her sister Arianna is an opera singer. Given her background, it’s not at all surprising that Zukerman draws from a number of genres & styles when she composes, utilizing not only blues, but also rock, bluegrass, jazz & classical.
She is a talented singer & songwriter, but make no mistake: her guitar chops are also impressive. The New Yorker proclaimed, “Natalia’s voice could send an orchid into bloom while her guitar playing can open a beer bottle with its teeth.” Her playing is indeed gritty when need be, but she is able to wield a full dynamic palette in her fingerstyle playing.
To date, Natalia Zukerman has released five cds, beginning with her 2001 debut, Mortal Child on Talisman. She followed that up in 2003 with On a Clear Day & Only One in 2006, both on Talisman, then moved to Weasel Records for her 2008 release, Brand New Frame (title track is the second video below) & the 2011 Gas Station Roses (first video is the title track.)
Natalia Zukerman also plays lap steel guitar & electric guitar as well as her acoustic Guild. She’s definitely a significant talent & someone to watch for—in fact, she’s starting to announce dates for her 2013 tour, so check her out if she passes through your town—I certainly will!
In the meantime, enjoy some great songwriting, singing, & guitar playing on these two videos.
Photo of Natalia Zukerman links to its source
Interesting! I've never heard her before, and this was a real treat. Thanks, John!
ReplyDeleteShe's new to me, and she's great! Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteHi Roy & Richard: Thanks to you both, & happy to be able to introduce you to Natalia Zukerman's music!
ReplyDeleteWe're so excited that Natalia will be performing a solo concert in Batavia, NY at Genesee Community College on Thursday, February 14, 2013. Call (585) 345-6814 for ticket info.
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