Jussi Reijonen Launches sayr: salt | thirst — A Meditative Solo String Journey

Acclaimed Finnish guitarist, oud player, and composer Jussi Reijonen unveils sayr: salt | thirst, the first installment in his intimate new series of solo string instrument recordings. Available October 24, 2025 via unmusic, this album offers a haunting meditation on finding stillness amid the chaos of motion, inviting listeners into a deeply personal musical world.

Building on the critical acclaim of his ambitious 2022 large ensemble album Three Seconds | Kolme Toista — hailed as “one of the best recordings of 2022” by All About Jazz — Reijonen’s sayr series explores a more introspective and minimalistic approach. sayr: salt | thirst was recorded in a single, fully improvised take at his home studio on a vintage 1940s Gibson LG-2 steel-string acoustic guitar.

The album is divided into two contrasting arcs, “salt” and “thirst,” mirroring the dualities of life, memory, and transformation. Its sound draws from a rich tapestry of string traditions around the world: from the Finnish kantele and Arabic oud to the Moroccan sintir and West African kora. This evocative blend channels influences such as Hamza El Din, Paco de Lucía, Umm Kulthum, and Ali Farka Touré.

The word “sayr,” rooted in Arabic music, means “course” or “motion.” For Reijonen, it represents a musical pathway unfolding through improvisation in a “memory palace” of sonic experiences. The album reflects his lifelong journey across Northern Finland, the Middle East, East Africa, and the United States — intertwining personal history with sound.

Reijonen shares, “I have found myself drawn to solitary reflection, to the small and simple, to roots and branches. The music is an exploration of motion and stillness — a dance captured beautifully by T.S. Eliot’s poetry.” The album’s improvisational nature reveals emotional landscapes that shift between lament, unease, brightening, and transformation.

sayr is the first in a planned series of improvised solo recordings. Reijonen will record the next installment live on steel-string acoustic guitar and Arabic oud during a concert at Helsinki Music Centre on September 19, 2025, kicking off an international solo tour. This performance will be filmed and recorded for future release.

Born in Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle, Jussi Reijonen’s unique artistry is shaped by his multicultural upbringing in Finland, Jordan, Tanzania, Oman, Lebanon, and the U.S. His work traverses jazz, world, and contemporary music, collaborating with luminaries like Jack DeJohnette and Pepe de Lucía. His previous album, Three Seconds | Kolme Toista, received rave reviews and multiple accolades, establishing him as a leading voice in genre-defying music.

Acclaimed Jazz Vocalist Mark Winkler Releases 22nd Album HOLD ON

Mark Winkler, a celebrated vocalist and prolific lyricist on the Los Angeles jazz scene, is back with his 22nd album, HOLD ON. Known for his collaborations with jazz legends like Dianne Reeves, Randy Crawford, Claire Martin, and Dee Dee Bridgewater, Winkler continues to push creative boundaries with this latest collection of mostly original tunes, complemented by a few well-chosen jazz standards.

Over his extensive recording career, Winkler has worked alongside some of the finest jazz vocalists, including Jackie Ryan, Steve Tyrell, Claire Martin, and Sara Gazarek. His collaborations with Cheryl Bentyne of The Manhattan Transfer and pianist David Benoit earned high praise, with Jersey Jazz calling him “one of the best male vocalists on the jazz scene.” Yet Winkler never rests on past accolades; he constantly evolves, creating fresh musical experiences with each release.

For HOLD ON, Winkler teamed up with six outstanding pianists—including Grammy winner John Beasley, Rich Eames, Tamir Hendelman, Eric Reed, Greg Gordon Smith, and Jamieson Trotter—each bringing a unique style to the album’s rich sonic tapestry. Supported by a top-notch Los Angeles band featuring Gabe Davis (bass), Christian Euman (drums), Bob Sheppard (sax), and others, Winkler’s new album reflects a broad spectrum of jazz sounds and moods.

Unlike many artists who pick songs based solely on aesthetic appeal, Winkler selects material that resonates personally. He explains, “I didn’t think of a particular theme when I chose the material — but after it was completed, I realized the songs all have biographical elements that attracted me.”

The album opens with the title track “Hold On,” co-written with Greg Gordon Smith, which encourages perseverance during difficult times. Other highlights include the witty Dave Frishberg classic “A Little Taste,” and an inventive take on Frank Loesser’s “If I Were a Bell,” arranged by Smith and featuring Hendelman on piano.

Winkler’s love for film noir and campy sci-fi shines in “Cat Women on the Moon,” a cha-cha tribute inspired by 1950s cult classics. His emotional depth comes through in a bossa nova version of “It Was a Very Good Year,” featuring a lush flugelhorn solo by Brian Swartz.

Other original songs such as “My Future’s Just a Memory” and “Train in the Desert” explore themes of aging, loss, and new beginnings, while “My Electric Car” offers an optimistic vision of a cleaner future. The album closes with “I Dream of You Each Night,” inspired by the 1950s gay experience and arranged by Spencer Day with Eric Reed on piano.

Produced by Barbara Brighton, who has worked on nine of Winkler’s albums, HOLD ON is a captivating mix of swing, humor, and heartfelt storytelling. With each song, Winkler invites listeners into his world—an elegant, soulful space where jazz’s timeless spirit thrives.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to his music, HOLD ON offers a rich listening experience filled with fresh originals and classic jazz gems.

HOLD ON Track Highlights:

• Hold On (Original)

• A Little Taste (Dave Frishberg)

• If I Were a Bell (Frank Loesser)

• Cat Women on the Moon (Original)

• It Was a Very Good Year (Bossa Nova Style)

• My Future’s Just a Memory (Original)

• Vienna (Billy Joel Cover)

• Train in the Desert (Original)

• My Electric Car (Original)

• I Dream of You Each Night (Original)

Jon Batiste To Release New Album Featuring Randy Newman — ‘Big Money’

Academy Award® and multi-Grammy® winner Jon Batiste is set to release his highly anticipated new album Big Money on August 22 via Verve/Interscope Records. This bold project marks a significant artistic statement, rooted deeply in American musical traditions from gospel and soul to blues, folk, and rock & roll.

The album’s second single, “Lonely Avenue,” features the legendary Randy Newman and is a standout track that offers a stripped-down, intimate reinterpretation of the Doc Pomus classic made famous by Ray Charles. The official music video, directed by David Henry Gerson, captures Batiste wandering through a quiet, timeworn apartment, drawn toward Newman’s soulful voice from another room. Their meeting at the piano becomes a beautiful moment where music bridges memory, imagination, and connection.

Recorded live in a single take in Newman’s living room, “Lonely Avenue” was born out of an organic conversation about life, family, and music, captured spontaneously on a handheld recorder. Batiste shares, “Ray is my patron saint. Just as the Big Money songs are in conversation with each other, I’m in conversation with Randy and Ray.”

The album’s title track, “Big Money,” is a groove-forward anthem featuring Batiste’s guitar work alongside soaring vocals from The Womack Sisters — granddaughters of soul legend Sam Cooke — who echo the refrain: “Might as well live for something you can feel…something that’s real.”

Co-produced by Jon Batiste and longtime collaborator Dion “No ID” Wilson, Big Money spans nine tracks showcasing a wide range of moods and styles. Highlights include the vintage soul-inspired duet “Lean on My Love” featuring Andra Day, and the genre-defying closer “Angels,” performed by Batiste’s alter ego Billy Bob Bo Bob.

Batiste describes the album as an “explicit Americana blues statement” and part of a larger “repatriation process” in Black American artistry — reclaiming heritage and authorship across genres born from the Black experience.

Coming off a landmark year that included a Super Bowl performance, two GRAMMY® wins for American Symphony, and the success of Beethoven Blues (which topped Billboard’s Classical Albums chart for nine weeks), Big Money promises to be a deeply serious and fun artistic milestone.

Big Money Tracklist:

1. Lean on My Love (feat. Andra Day)

2. Big Money

3. Lonely Avenue (feat. Randy Newman)

4. Petrichor

5. Do It All Again

6. Pinnacle

7. At All

8. Maybe

9. Angels (feat. No ID & Billy Bob Bo Bob)

BLOW GLOBE: John Sturino’s Boundary-Breaking New Jazz Ensemble

Awarded the 2024 Chamber Music America New Jazz Works Grant, BLOW GLOBE is a ten-piece ensemble led by Juilliard-trained drummer and composer John Sturino. This unique group fuses the sounds of jazz, classical chamber music, contemporary electronic, and pop/rock, creating an expansive and vibrant sonic universe.

Featuring a stellar lineup of NYC’s brightest jazz talents — including Nathan Reising (alto sax), Abdias Armenteros (tenor & soprano sax), Garrett Wingfield (bass clarinet & baritone sax), Summer Camargo (trumpet & flugelhorn), Kazunori Tanaka (French horn), and others — BLOW GLOBE channels the energy and diversity of cultures from across the world. The ensemble also regularly features vocalist Mar Vilaseca, whose lush voice brings a haunting, lyrical dimension.

John Sturino’s journey to BLOW GLOBE stems from his desire to create music that reflects his eclectic tastes and embraces a wide range of styles. Inspired by the lush yet intimate soundscapes on Walt Weiskopf’s Song For My Mother, Sturino envisioned an ensemble capable of producing big band richness while maintaining a light, buoyant feel.

“This album is a true celebration of the music that has shaped my own identity and taste,” Sturino says. “From composing to recording and mixing, it’s been a labor of love and exploration.”

• Year Of The Globe
  The opening track captures the album’s ethos — blending diverse sounds, textures, and grooves in a melodic yet straightforward way.

• Renewal
  Originally composed for a group with classical strings and jazz quartet, this piece moves from dark introspection to energetic celebration, featuring standout solos from Abdias Armenteros and Chris McCarthy.

• Only In Dreams (feat. Mar Vilaseca)
  A stunning cover of Weezer’s classic, reimagined with serene vocals and rich jazz textures.

• Slug
  Inspired by Sturino’s life in NYC, this piece contrasts slow physical movement with rapid mental activity, highlighted by Garrett Wingfield’s expressive bass clarinet.

• Bonafides
  A straight-ahead swing with a Latin twist — spotlighting vibrant solos from Summer Camargo and Garrett Wingfield.

• Morning Sun (feat. Mar Vilaseca)
  A joint composition between Vilaseca and Sturino, this track personifies sunlight through music, enriched by soprano sax melodies.

• PLG (Prophets Lefferts Gardens)
  A love letter to Sturino’s Brooklyn neighborhood, this track blends jazz and electronic influences, featuring guitar and trombone solos.

A Juilliard graduate and drummer with a passion for composition, Sturino has spent years crafting a voice that spans genres and traditions. BLOW GLOBE is his boldest statement yet — an ensemble where acoustic instrumentation meets contemporary sounds in a vibrant conversation.

Chasing Calm — Pianist/Composer Michael Ragonese Announces Deeply Personal New Album,

Jazz pianist and composer Michael Ragonese returns this fall with Chasing Calm, his highly anticipated third album — a beautifully introspective project reflecting his ongoing search for stillness, balance, and peace in an often chaotic world.

Set for worldwide release on October 10, 2025, Chasing Calm showcases Ragonese's continued growth as a composer and bandleader, drawing on jazz traditions, classical influences, and his Italian heritage. The music is at once modern and grounded, lyrical and complex, exploring that elusive space between tension and serenity.

Ragonese kicks things off with the release of “Alone Together” on August 8 — a jazz standard reimagined in 9/8 meter. “This arrangement flows differently,” Ragonese says, “but it still feels lyrical and natural. It opened up new rhythmic ideas I hadn’t explored before.”

Featuring his trio with Luca Alemanno on bass and JK Kim on drums, the track sets the tone 

Ragonese describes Chasing Calm as “probably the most personal record I’ve made so far.” Written and recorded in January 2025, the album blends modern jazz, classical harmony, and improvisational dialogue in compelling and innovative ways.

“It’s not about achieving peace,” he explains, “but about the search for it — how my mind is always moving, always thinking, yet striving for presence and focus. The music reflects that in its structure and flow — a balance between clarity and complexity.”

The album features a top-tier lineup:

• Michael Ragonese – piano

• Walter Smith III – saxophones

• Luca Alemanno – bass

• JK Kim – drums

Smith, who appeared on Ragonese’s debut album Day to Day, brings his signature voice to the project, while Alemanno and Kim provide a deeply intuitive rhythm section that balances energy with restraint.

Beyond his work as a performer, Ragonese is also a passionate educator and mentor. He founded the Rags School of Music in 2021 and co-created the Modern Artist program in 2023 to guide high school students toward creative careers.

His most recent initiative, the Libretto Conservatory (in partnership with Libretto Jazz Club), supports college musicians preparing for professional careers. Students from his programs have gone on to earn top honors from DownBeat Magazine and gain acceptance to elite music schools across the country.

“A fresh, transcendent level of expression – high energy, hard swinging and off the charts imaginative improvisational trad jazz.”
– Jonathan Widran, JW Vibe

“Michael Ragonese falls into that category as evidenced by his latest release ‘Stracci’… a propulsive and unpredictable trio.”
– Pierre Giroux, AllAboutJazz

Noah Young Shares New Single “Early Morning” Ahead of Upcoming Album Noah

New Orleans-based bassist and composer Noah Young has released his latest single, “Early Morning,” giving listeners a compelling preview of his forthcoming studio album Noah, due out September 26, 2025. With its cinematic textures and deeply introspective mood, “Early Morning” sets the tone for a bold new chapter in Young’s artistic journey.

Originally conceived as an interlude for Naughty Professor’s 2025 album Voices, the track now emerges as a centerpiece in Young’s solo catalog. The single features a unique soundscape that blends layered upright and electric bass, performed by Young and acclaimed bassist Martin Masakowski. In an inventive twist, all percussion sounds are derived from the upright bass itself—including a distinctive backbeat created by dropping car keys onto its body.

“I think in total there are 6–7 tracks of Martin on upright, and 4–5 tracks of me on electric bass,” Young explains. “The layers of bow, harmonics, and percussion he laid down really put it over the top for me.”

Produced by GRAMMY Award-winner Jamison Ross, Noah showcases Young’s evolving voice in the world of modern instrumental jazz. The album draws inspiration from genre-defying projects by Derrick Hodge and Pino Palladino, pairing emotional storytelling with groove-laden composition and atmospheric production.

“Jamison’s production on Mykal Kilgore’s A Man Born Black made me want him to produce this album,” Young says. “He has a unique touch as both a drummer and a conceptualist. I knew he could help shape the album I was hearing in my head.”

Set to be a deeply personal and meditative work, Noah invites listeners into a sound world built for reflection, movement, and emotional honesty.

Known for his muscular groove, melodic sensibility, and genre-crossing versatility, Young has spent over a decade cementing his place in the New Orleans music community. A founding member of the genre-blending jazz/funk group Naughty Professor, he has also toured and recorded with The Revivalists, Marcus King, Ivan Neville, George Porter Jr., Big Freedia, and many others.

His work has earned him multiple OffBeat Magazine “Best Bassist” nominations, while his solo efforts and global performances have brought him to stages from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival to Jam Cruise and festivals across Europe, North Africa, and Asia.

Young is currently wrapping up a tour of Vermont, with performances at Music in the Alley (Waterbury) and Maple Roots Festival (Montpelier) rounding out his Northeast run.

Stevie Holland Announces New Album Talk to Your Tomatoes: A Lush Blend of Standards, Originals, and Jazz Sophistication

Acclaimed jazz vocalist and songwriter Stevie Holland is back in the spotlight with the announcement of her latest studio album, Talk to Your Tomatoes, a 10-track collection that blends timeless standards, pop gems, and original compositions. Recorded in April 2025 and set for release via 150 Music, the album showcases Holland’s signature vocal elegance and fearless musical exploration.

Known for her seamless transitions between jazz, pop, cabaret, and musical theater, Holland brings fresh life to classics from the Great American Songbook, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and more—while also introducing original works written with her longtime musical partner and award-winning arranger Gary William Friedman.

Talk to Your Tomatoes opens with a vibrant new take on Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner’s “On A Clear Day,” enhanced by a swinging arrangement for strings and horns. The album continues with:

• “Help Me” (Joni Mitchell)

• “When These Two Hearts Collide” (Friedman/Holland)

• “How I Feel” (Friedman/Will Holt, from The Me Nobody Knows)

• “Blossom” (James Taylor)

• “Talk To Your Tomatoes” (Friedman/Holland)

• “'Round Midnight” (Cootie Williams/Thelonious Monk/Bernie Hanighen)

• “You Pull Through” (Friedman/Holland)

• “Pure Imagination” (Leslie Bricusse/Anthony Newley)

• “East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)” (Brooks Bowman)

Backing Holland is a stellar ensemble featuring Matthew Sheens (piano), Matt Aranoff (bass), and Jeff Davis (drums). Celebrated guitarist Ben Monder adds texture and intimacy to three tracks, including a duo interpretation of “'Round Midnight.” Rising star Chet Doxas—a two-time DownBeat Magazine Rising Star—leads the horn section on select tracks, further enriching the sonic landscape.

This new album marks Holland’s sixth release combining jazz standards with original material, following her recent recordings Life Goes On and Before Love Has Gone—the latter selected as a Top Album of the Year by USA TODAY and an Album Pick by AllMusic Guide.

Beyond recordings, Holland has earned critical acclaim in theater. She co-created and starred in Love, Linda: The Life of Mrs. Cole Porter, a one-woman musical that debuted Off-Broadway in 2013–14 and was later filmed for on-demand streaming via Amazon Prime and BroadwayHD. Directed by TONY-winner Richard Maltby, Jr., the production garnered numerous festival awards, including Best Actress in a Feature Film for Holland at the Culver City Film Festival.

Most recently, Holland appeared in March 2025 in the York Theatre’s New2NY Series, performing in Platinum Dreams, a new musical she co-wrote with Friedman. The project is currently in development for a full production slated for 2026.

Holland’s artistry continues to resonate across generations. Whether reimagining familiar songs or introducing thoughtful originals, she brings vocal warmth, lyrical intelligence, and emotional range to everything she touches. Her performances sparkle with jazz precision and theatrical intuition—qualities that have earned her respect among critics and fans alike.

With her signature wit and wisdom, Holland reminds us with a smile: “Don’t forget to Talk to Your Tomatoes.”

Talk to Your Tomatoes will be available on all major streaming platforms. Holland’s full discography is also being reissued digitally across all platforms.

Jazz Icon Randy Brecker Signs with SRG Jazz, New Album Coming in 2026

Seven-time GRAMMY Award-winning trumpeter and flugelhornist Randy Brecker has signed with SRG Jazz, a division of The SRG/ILS Group. This exciting partnership marks the latest chapter in a career that has spanned over six decades and helped shape the sound of jazz, R&B, and rock.

Brecker’s unmistakable horn work has been featured on hundreds of recordings by music legends across multiple genres, including James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Eric Clapton, Frank Zappa, Steely Dan, Parliament/Funkadelic, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, and Frank Sinatra. From mainstream pop to cutting-edge fusion, Brecker’s sound has left an indelible mark on modern music.

The announcement comes with news that Brecker is currently working on a brand-new album, his first since the 2020 collaboration Double Dealin’ with saxophonist Eric Marienthal. Scheduled for release in early 2026, the upcoming project will feature original compositions and all-star collaborations, including one with GRAMMY-winning keyboardist Jeff Lorber, who is also part of the SRG Jazz roster.

“The Brecker Brothers were a major influence,” Lorber shared. “Their signing to Arista back in the day was one of the reasons Jeff Lorber Fusion signed there as well. Randy's music has always been on the cutting edge, and it’s exciting to know there's more coming.”

Randy Brecker first rose to prominence with his appearance on Child Is Father to the Man, the debut album from Blood, Sweat & Tears. Soon after, he performed with jazz luminaries including Horace Silver and Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers before co-founding the fusion band Dreams with his brother Michael Brecker and drummer Billy Cobham.

The brothers later formed the Brecker Brothers, releasing six influential albums between 1975 and 1981 and earning seven Grammy nominations. After a hiatus, the duo resumed their partnership until Michael’s passing in 2007.

Throughout his expansive career, Brecker has performed and recorded with an extraordinary list of artists, including Jaco Pastorius, George Benson, Bob James, Patti Austin, Michael Franks, Donald Fagen, and Todd Rundgren, among many others. His work on albums like Paul Simon’s Graceland and Donald Fagen’s The Nightfly remains legendary.

To date, Brecker has received 21 Grammy nominations and taken home 7 Grammy Awards, solidifying his place among the most influential horn players in modern music history.

SRG Jazz is the jazz division of The SRG/ILS Group, in partnership with Virgin Music (Universal Music Group). The label is known for fostering high-level collaborations and pushing boundaries in contemporary jazz while honoring the tradition and innovation that define the genre.

Samara Joy Releases “Flor de Lis (Upside Down)” Ahead of Brazil Tour Dates — A Lush Tribute to Brazilian Jazz

Five-time GRAMMY® Award winner Samara Joy continues to captivate jazz lovers around the world with the release of her newest single, “Flor de Lis (Upside Down),” a fresh interpretation of the Brazilian classic penned by Djavan nearly 50 years ago. Sung entirely in Portuguese and arranged by Joy’s longtime drummer Evan Sherman, the single beautifully honors Brazil’s enduring impact on the global jazz tradition.

Originally released in 1976 on Djavan’s debut album A Voz, o Violão, a Música de Djavan, “Flor de Lis” is beloved throughout Brazil and beyond for its lyrical beauty and emotional depth. Samara Joy’s version infuses the song with her signature warmth and sophistication, retaining its poetic melancholy while elevating the arrangement to new levels of sonic elegance.

“Although it’s a heartbreaking story, the poetic lyrics and beautiful melody resonated with me immediately,” says Joy. “Hearing the audience in Rio sing along with me during my first trip there over a year ago made me realize how deeply this song is woven into Brazil’s musical fabric.”

The single’s cover art is a stunning painting by acclaimed Brazilian illustrator Anna Cunha, further emphasizing the song’s cultural roots and emotional resonance.

Since winning Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 2023 GRAMMYs, Samara Joy’s star has only risen higher. Her most recent album, Portrait, earned her two more GRAMMYs this past February—Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best Jazz Performance—bringing her total to five.

Co-produced with Brian Lynch, Portrait reveals Joy’s expanding artistry—not only as a vocalist but as a lyricist, arranger, and bandleader.

This year, she’s also celebrated:

• Her first NAACP Image Award (Outstanding Jazz Album – Portrait)

• A featured appearance on Sesame Street

• A spotlight in ELLE Magazine’s Women in Music issue

• Inclusion in EBONY’s STAMPED: The Headliners 2025, among cultural icons like The Weeknd, FKA Twigs, and Coco Jones

Catch Samara Joy live on tour at one of the following cities, beginning with her much-anticipated performances in Brazil this summer:

South America Tour

• July 31 – São Paulo, Brazil – Teatro Cultura Artística

• August 2 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Vivo Rio

U.S. & International Tour

• September 26–27 – Beaverton, OR – Patricia Reser Center for the Arts

• September 29 – Seattle, WA – Moore Theatre

• October 1 – San Diego, CA – Humphreys Concerts by the Bay

• November 11 – Philadelphia, PA – Miller Theater

• November 14 – Carmel, IN – The Palladium

• November 15 – Madison, WI – Wisconsin Union Theater

• November 18 – Chesterfield, MO – The Factory

• November 19 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall

• November 21 – St. Paul, MN – The Fitzgerald Theater

• November 22 – Kansas City, MO – Folly Theater

• January 24, 2026 – Grand Cayman – McBride’s World at Sea

• May 16, 2026 – New York, NY – Geffen Hall

Stella Cole Announces New Album It’s Magic — A Golden Era Revival for the TikTok Age

At just 26, Stella Cole is redefining what it means to be a jazz vocalist in the digital age. Described by Jazziz as a “rising star vocalist,” Cole has captivated millions by breathing fresh life into songs that span decades. With over 1.7 million social media followers and critical praise from icons like James Taylor, David Foster, and Michael Bublé, she’s bridging generations with her unique blend of classic charm and modern appeal.

Now, Cole is preparing for the release of her most ambitious project yet: It’s Magic, due out August 22 via Decca Records US.

Produced by Grammy Award-winner Matt Pierson (best known for his work with Samara Joy and Brad Mehldau), It’s Magic features lush string arrangements by Alan Broadbent, a Grammy-winning pianist and arranger celebrated for his work with Diana Krall and Natalie Cole.

The album explores the tender, cinematic landscape of the Great American Songbook, reinterpreting timeless standards with both reverence and originality.

“She’s authentic and faithful to the traditions in which these songs have been heard for all these years, but with a personal charisma that transcends the generations.”

Tracklist:

1. Till There Was You

2. Say It

3. It’s Magic

4. Stairway to the Stars

5. Alfie

6. As Time Goes By

7. The Touch of Your Lips

8. Imagination

9. My Ideal

10. Fools Rush In

The album’s lead single is a warm, heartfelt version of “Till There Was You”, a song first made famous in The Music Man and later popularized by The Beatles. Cole’s version is both wistful and refined, with 

Raised in rural Illinois on a steady stream of classic musicals like Singin’ in the Rain and The Wizard of Oz, Cole’s musical foundation is built on cinematic glamour and melodic storytelling. Her inspirations—Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Nat “King” Cole—echo in her phrasing, but the presentation is undeniably modern.

She's often described as Laufey meets Bublé, but with a voice that’s unmistakably her own.

From viral performances with Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox (like a retro-twist on Miley Cyrus’s “Flowers” and Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl”) to collaborations with Tony-winner Darren Criss, Cole’s online success is matched by her stage presence.

She’s performed at Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, and appeared on major platforms like:

• The TODAY Show

• Live with Kelly and Mark

• Tamron Hall

Her upcoming tour dates span major U.S. cities from Napa to Boston, bringing these timeless tunes to a live audience eager for elegance, depth, and soul.

In an age of fast-paced music and digital singles, Stella Cole’s It’s Magic offers a slow dance back in time. With orchestral elegance, vocal finesse, and youthful passion, this album reminds us of the timeless beauty of love songs—and introduces them to a new, streaming-hungry generation.