Blog for Maureen Washington

Washington Thrills hometown crowd

2010-01-08T13:59:28-05:00

By Teresa Mallam - Prince George Free Press
Published: November 10, 2009 4:00 PM

Blues jazz diva Maureen Washington was on home turf Sunday night at the Treasure Cove Casino show room. She put on a stellar concert for family, old friends and new fans.

The artist really sparkled on stage (when I told her that, she laughed and said ‘Oh, it’s just the make-up’) but it was more than that. Maybe the Victoria air off the ocean has been good for the former P.G. resident’s complexion but the move south has been good for her soul.

Her career has taken off.

Washington packed in dozens of live performances last year, won over audiences at big events like the 2009 International Victoria Jazz Festival and over the summer, has worked on some new songs.

When a male fan seated at my table said she looked “like a million bucks” to that I would add her wonderful voice is richer than ever.

The artist performed two sets Sunday night with great jazz covers and old blues standards along and original songs like Forget Me Not from her days with popular local swing band BOP. Give It Up, Stormy Monday, Right Stuff, Dance Me To The End of Love and a silky, sweet rendition of Summertime were among the song highlights.

Her talented local “pick-up” back up band included Curtis Abriel on bass and multi-instrumentalist Paul Forster (The Enforsters) on piano and guitar. In a song dedication to her number one fan – her mom – who was seated in the audience, Washington accompanied on piano by Forster, sang a crowd pleasing version of the love song, You Don’t Know Me.

“I don’t usually do this kind of song,” she said of the 1955 Eddie Arnold tune that’s become classic cover material thanks to blues artists like Ray Charles.

“I sang this song at my sister’s wedding,” she said. “Since I was a little girl, my mom has always loved to her me sing. The only problem is, she likes to join in and I have to remind her, ‘Mom this is a concert.” The artist noted she was among friends - some from years past. “I came early so I could kiss and hug a whole lot of people. I miss Prince George – but not the cold. Tonight I’m sitting at a table with two guys who I was in Grade 6 with,” she said between songs.

Washington will make another local appearance at Coldsnap Music Festival. The event runs Jan. 22 to 30 at several local venues.

Songstress makes season special with annual Christmas show

2008-12-22T19:17:44-05:00

Written by Patty Stewart
Citizen columnist
Friday, 19 December 2008

I’m still on Cloud 9 after a night out listening to Maureen Washington. The now Victoria-based songstress wowed the audience at Art Space Monday night with two sets and an encore of sharply arranged Christmas carols, both sacred and saucy, as well as some classy blues and jazz numbers.
Teary classics included I’ll Be Home for Christmas and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas as well as the barnstormer-paced Sleigh Ride. Washington shined, performing the classic Percy Faith number flawlessly.
Modern ballads were also a part of the program, with Joni Mitchell’s The River given a soulful, skillful treatment. It’s a difficult song to master, one that requires tone, range and control and Washington nailed it. On the sultry side, the Prince George born-and-raised singer drew on her inner Eartha Kitt for Santa Baby, and brought down the house with Stormy Monday.
Making the show an ultimate class act was the piano playing of David Sproule. The man can play anything, and proved it again Monday night. He’s an expert backup player, providing solid accompaniment, but he’s also a boogie-woogie blues virtuoso with a tremolo that brings back the honky-tonk days.

Music Grant!

2008-10-21T14:11:57-04:00

Maureen was just awarded a recording grant from Fernwood NRG to record in early 2009!

Blog Buzz

2008-10-21T14:12:33-04:00

With her sultry ear stroking voice, and radiant smile she embodies all that audiences have come to expect in a great Jazz performance. Maureen is currently expanding her music career in several new areas to include a full ensemble, trio, and solo work. Each of these incarnations are garnering great reviews as they entertain throughout BC. The buzz on the street is that she has headed into the studio to start recording her next album. Keep coming here for updates.

CD BABY Reveiw

2008-10-21T14:12:42-04:00

Baby it's Cold Outside.... Review

It's that time of year again, and this modern collection of traditional Christmas songs can make a great soundtrack for your holiday season. Choosing a thematically warm mix of blues and jazz as the basis for these classics proves to be a sophisticated approach, making this a great candidate for background music at your holiday cocktail party. Thanks to some great playing, the songs are loose and free, allowing the rich vocals plenty of space to explore the scope of the framework. While these songs are all instantly recognizable, the superior musicianship adds a uniquely creative aspect to these favorites that can't be underestimated. Focusing mostly on jazzy piano and guitar, the players exemplify a reserved precision that keeps the arrangements true to the original songs but also new and interesting. Certainly a fun way to start the holidays. REVIEW FROM "CD BABY"