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Shirley Crabbe

Native New Yorker and 2019 New York Bistro Award winner, Shirley Crabbe has been hailed as possessing a voice that “must surely appeal to all who love good jazz singing.” Her “almost Ella Fitzgerald–like vibe glows…” says Downbeat Magazine's John Ephland on her 2011 debut recording HOME featuring the legendary saxophonist Houston Person. Her 2018 Top 50 album BRIDGES (2018) has received rave reviews and spotlights her collaborations with renowned pianists Donald Vega, and David Budway. Shirley has been a guest on syndicated radio programs such as “Jazz Inspired” hosted by Judy Carmichael, and Steve Cuden's "StoryBeat" to name a few, and currently performs at jazz clubs, festivals and concert series in the US. She is the recipient of the 2009 Rockland County Executive Performing Artist Award, 2008 Stanton Bronze Medalist at the American Traditions Vocal Competition. In 2010, she was a top 5 finalist at Jazzmobile’s “Best of the Best” Jazz Vocalist Competition held in New York City. Shirley holds music degrees from Manhattan School of Music and Northwestern University.

Awards

2019 NY Bistro Award, Outstanding Recording: Bridges 2010 Top 5 Finalist NY Jazz Mobile Best of the Best Vocal Competition 2009 Arts Council of Rockland Performing Artist Award 2009 Stanton Bronze Medal Winner: American Traditions Vocal Competition

Shirley Crabbe: Home

by Edward Blanco
October 30, 2011

In 2006, jazz singer Shirley Crabbe suffered from a vocal cord injury, not knowing if she would ever be able to sing again. Home is her long-awaited debut, documenting a successful return appropriately acknowledged in the opening Leonard Bernstein piece “Lucky To Be Me." Her remarkable performance gives no clue to the nature of her prior condition, revealing instead a voice that caresses lyrics of ballads with emotion and projects swinging tunes with power. Inspired by the singing of the ...

Performance / Tour

Bistro Award Winning Jazz Vocalist Shirley Crabbe, With David Budway On Piano, To Appear As Part Of The Overture Concert Series At Rockland Conservatory Of Music

Source: Lampkin Publicity Service
February 17, 2019

Bistro Award winning Jazz Vocalist Shirley Crabbe, with David Budway on piano, to appear as part of the Overture Concert Series at Rockland Conservatory of Music on Saturday, March 2nd, Show Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm Rockland Conservatory of Music 45 S Main St Pearl River, NY 10965 Recently announced as a Bistro Award winner in the Outstanding Record Category (The Bistro Awards is a 34-year-old organization recognizing, encouraging, nurturing, and educating cabaret, jazz, and comedy artists; it is ...
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Recording

Exquisite Vocalist Shirley Crabbe Sings Of Personal Connection On "Bridges," Available April 30, 2018

Source: Mouthpiece Music
April 28, 2018

Some vocalists excel at lyric interpretation. They know how to tell the story of a song with subtlety and nuance. Other singers have such beautiful voices that they’d be a pleasure to listen to if they sang the periodic table set to a Brahms lullaby. It’s not easy to say which is Shirley Crabbe's strength, since she possesses both those talents in equal measure. Now, Bridges, her newest CD and follow-up to her 2011 debut release Home, re-affirms Crabbe’s position ...
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Performance / Tour

Jazz Vocalists Shirley Crabbe and Dexter Porter to Perform Live at the Metropolitan Room, February 5th, 2010

Source: Michael Ricci
January 6, 2010

Jazz Vocalists Shirley Crabbe and Dexter Porter to perform live at the Metropolitan Room, February 5th, 2010 New York, NY - Jazz vocalists Shirley Crabbe and Dexter Porter are joining forces in February to bring a night of unique jazz sounds to the Metropolitan Room. Long-time friends and no strangers to the New York jazz scene, their mutual love for standards have inspired Shirley and Dexter to team up and bring their favorite sounds to the stage. The performers originally ...
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"Armed with classical training from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, a passion for jazz and a second chance, Shirley Crabbe is the newest songbird to arrive on the jazz scene, coming Home with a well-conceived and highly- engaging debut sure to propel this gifted artist to a new level of attention". — Edward Blanco, All About Jazz

"Crabbe sings with soulful aplomb, investing the lyric with a mournful and deeply knowing emotionality." — Nick Bewsey - Jazz in Space

“Vocalist Shirley Crabbe has a big, wide-open optimistic style that's reminiscent of a young, excited Sarah Vaughan. This is a gorgeous album from a lovely singer”… — Marc Meyers, JazzWax.com