After a decade and a half of tours in Japan, Cleve is returning officially to the New York night club scene.
Mercer Ellington used to introduce Cleve to a Lincoln Center Audience as, “The premiere vocal interpreter of Duke Ellington music."
Cadence Magazine wrote
".he swings, he scats, he cajoles with musical genius and ease". "He is one of the best male jazz singers on the scene today!"
Cleve's vocal maturity, wide range, and fearless improvisational skills combine to give him control, balance, rhythm and smooth tonal qualities that allows him to sing in any given genre. Many liken his voice to the late Nat "King" Cole, others say he reminds them of other well-known singers, but another New York columnist stated that "he has the kind of voice that can drive a reviewer nuts trying to label it." But in fact his voice is unlike that of any other singer, whether past or present.it's all his own.
Full bio can be viewed at Official Website: www.clevedouglass.com
Tennessee Native:
Born in Nashville "Music City, USA", his mother was Marie Brown, then well-known for the unique position as one of a handful of professional female drummers. His mom continued playing the drums right up to the time of Cleve's birth. It has been shown that rhythm is the very first thing developed in childhood and we are sure now that Cleve undoubtedly got a head start.
Training, Background, Styles:
Cleve's earliest training began with intense study of classical vocal technique which bridged into musical theatre then later to jazz and improvisational ("scat") singing. Cleve sings in all genres including jazz, r&b, lounge, nu-jazz, gospel, Motown, country, Latin, Afro, classical and multi-cultural styles. His recordings include the styles of bossa nova, swing, Afro-Cuban, electronic and jazz standards.
Recent Tours /Recordings in Japan / Blue Note
For the past decade, Cleve has been regularly touring and recording in Japan. He is about to begin his thirtieth tour there later this year working with some of that country's finest jazz musicians. His work in Japan has also included tours with African percussionists from Senegal with Cleve as the only "melodic" instrument in the mix. Cleve was featured in a Japanese television documentary and has appeared on NHK television as well.
He has performed two full month-long contracts with The Blue Note in Fukuoka, Japan. Last year he released his third Japan cd entitled "Coffee Time Jazz" with Fiji Islander Michelle Rounds
http://www.myspace.com/michellerounds". This recording of duets pairs the skills of these two dynamic vocal stylists who together sing as if of one mind, one intention. improvising with rhythms, and melodies and innovative arrangements of some familiar tunes but with a fresh new feel of today.
NBC TODAY SHOW
Cleve appeared recently on Weekend Edition of the NBC Today Show with the show's co-host Lester Holt joining him on bass, Tony Romano on guitar and Ken Yamaguchi, percussion. Calls and emails flooded NBC studios following Cleve's appearance on the show.
You Stepped Out of A Dream
My Father's Island
Duke Ellington Birthday Tribute, Chicago, Il
On April 29th, Cleve will headline (second year in a row) the 33rd Annual Duke Ellington Tribute sponsored by Chicago's Jazz Unites, Inc. Last year's event was so successful with Cleve introducing new arrangements of Duke's tunes done by his musical director/guitarist/friend Tony Romano that Jazz Unites has invited Cleve back to celebrate this year on the actual birth date of Duke Ellington.
OTHER PROJECTS
Cleve continues work in the studio and is producing new material. Currently working on house music project with New Acid Wave from Mexico City. This project will also include Cleve's brother, super-bassist, Anthony Joyner (see: Smokey Lonesome).
PLEASE LISTEN TO CLEVE SING THIS NEW TUNE!
href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vc3BlY3RyYXJlY29yZHMuY29tL2F1ZGlvLW1pc2MvbG92ZWdhbWVzLm1wMw==" target="_blank">"Love Games"
a new tune composed by Imani, a brutha from Detroit who now lives and works in Japan.
