Reviews
DownBeat Magazine, July 2019 Issue by J. Poet
1⁄2All About Jazz, Interview July 2019 by R.J.Deluke
Get to know Karina's musical journey though a lovely, warm and casual interview by Stephanie Patton at KCAW on her show " After Hours" by clicking on this link:
https://www.kcaw.org/wp-content/uploads/Programming/Monday%2010%20to%20Midnight.mp3?1559263349
Jazz Weekly
LATIN WOMEN OF SONG by George W. Harris
Rich voiced Karina Corradini gives a heartfelt tribute to the spirit and heart of saxist Zane Musa, who tragically died back in 2015. He’s included on this album, and his warm alto and tenor is a haunting dream throughout, playing a rich supporting role along with Mahesh Balasooriya/p, Christian McBride-Renee Camacho/b, Marvin “Smitty” Smith/dr, Munyungo Jackson/perc and Nolan Shaheed/tp. Corradini mixes snappy swingers with luscious Latin with deft. Her work with McBride on “You Turned the Tables On Me” is rich and resigned, while her teamwork with Musa during “All Of You” is a sensuous delight.” Her voice oozes with Musa on “If You Went Away” and is warm as the Caribbean ocean for “Tu Mi Delirio.” She swings and saunters with engaging ease.
The Jazz Page
Raves wrote
https://thejazzpage.com/album/karina-corradini-bridge-to-infinity/
Singer Karina Corradini delivers an impressive debut recording with Bridge to Infinity. The multilingual production covers a vast degree of musical territory quite wonderfully and boasts a stellar lineup of sidemen. The production features the talents of Christian McBride and Rene Camacho on bass, Nolan Shaheed on trumpet, Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums, Mahesh Balasooriya on piano, Munyungo Jackson on percussion and Zane Musa on saxophone. The project is also a tribute to Musa who passed away prior to the release of the effort. Corradini is a solid talent who has overcome many obstacles and has a bright musical future.
WEMU's music director and morning jazz host Linda John who was named National Jazz Programmer of the Year twice, reviews " Bridge to Infinity".
Karina Corradini – Many Bridges Crossed
Literally and figuratively, singer Karina Corradini has crossed many bridges. She made the journey from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Los Angeles. She has bridged the divide between pop music and jazz as well as Latin and Brazilian music with jazz. With Bridge to Infinity: Tribute to Zane Musa, Karina Corradini crosses a major bridge – she takes her music out internationally with her debut CD available on her website www.karinacorradini.com.
While Flora Purim is from Brazil, I cannot resist a favorable comparison to Flora for Karina Corradini. Karina exudes similar strength, restrained use of vibrato, supple phrasing, well-considered risks and natural sense of swing. One couldn’t help but swing accompanied by this ace band: bassist-arranger-producer Christian McBride, fellow bassist Rene Camacho, drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith, percussionist Munyungo Jackson, pianist Mahesh Balasooriya, trumpeter Nolan Shaheed and recently deceased saxophonist Zane Musa. I’m so sad that I’m only now learning about Zane Musa through Corradini’s debut CD. He’s a consummate, original bebopper and a warm, breathy, convincing balladeer. Throughout the disc you sense the mutual appreciation Corradini and Musa shared. It’s top quality from start to finish. My personal favorites are the rare Jimmy Van Heusen ballad I Could Have Told You, the bright and bouncy treatment of Dori Caymmi’s Doralice, the unbridled swing of Until I Met You (Corner Pocket) and When the Time Is Right penned by Howlett “Smitty” Smith. This is the first time anyone has recorded this gem and I hope it is not the last. I hope you’ll join me in welcoming Karina Corradini as she crosses yet another bridge with Bridge to Infinity: Tribute to Zane Musa.
FROM VISIONARY TO INFINITY: JAZZ IS THE CATALYST
BY Dee Dee McNeil/Jazz Journalist
March 6, 2019
Musicalmemoir's Blog review of "Bridge to Infinity"
During March, I continue to celebrate Women’s History Month by including several reviews of women in jazz. I’m also including some very talented men who have new recordings on the market. Daniel Szabo gives us a taste of his visionary work by arranging new music for jazz trio and chamber ensemble. Karina Corradini tributes the late Zane Musa with her “Bridge to Infinity” album. Cathy Segal-Garcia joins Larry Koonse and Josh Nelson as they travel to “Dreamsville.” Kevin Hays and Chiara Izzi meld pop, smooth jazz and world music on their CD, “Across the Sea.” Quinsin Nachoff’s Flux group colors way outside the lines with “Path of Totality.” Cyrille Aimee celebrates the music of Sondheim and Settings for Three sits us down at the table of Drew Gress, Phil Haynes and David Liebman for some delicious be-bop and straight-ahead. This column reviews the artistic diversity of jazz and music in general, while introducing you to new artists and seasoned veterans.
KARINA CORRADINI – “BRIDGE TO INFINITY” A tribute to Zane Musa
Independent Label
Karina Corradini, vocals/producer; Mahesh Balasooriya, piano; Christian McBride, producer/bassist; Rene Camacho, bass; Marty “Smitty” Smith, drums; Munyungo Jackson, percussion; Zane Musa, saxophone; Nolan Shaheed, trumpet.
Right from the first cut on this album, “You Turned the Tables On Me,” Karina Corradini, shows that she can ‘swing’ with the best of them. This vocalist has surrounded herself with a host of marvelous musicians including Christian McBride on bass (who co-produced this album), Mahesh Balasooriya on piano, Nolan Shaheed on trumpet and Munyungo Jackson on percussion. She is tributing her beloved friend, reedman Zane Musa, who left Earth much too early. Zane Musa put his saxophone blessings on this recording before his passing. Ms. Corradini sings a number of great old standards, with rich arrangements and great sincerity. Her lyrics are tinged with just the hint of an accent and I wondered where she’s from. When she sings, “What A Difference A Day Makes” in Portuguese, I hear her Brazilian roots shine through and flower. But I discover (from her publicist) that she is not Brazilian at all, but instead is a mixture of Argentinian and Italian, born in San Isidro, Argentina. Still, she delivers a lovely rendition in both English and Portuguese. I enjoyed the slow, swaying Samba rendition of “I Could Have Told You,” with Munyungo Jackson’s warm, percussive additions highlighting the rhythm and an outstanding solo by Mahesh Balasooriya on the eighty-eight keys.
On “Doralice” by great composer, Dorival Caymmi, Karina Corradini is back to Portuguese and the up-temp, happy excitement of Brazilian music is infectious on “Cai Dentro.” Marvin “Smitty” Smith is the catalyst that pushes the music ahead on trap drums and locks a tight groove with Christian McBride on the bass. Ms. Corradini used the arrangements of Eric Bulling, who penned them for Ella Fitzgerald’s album, “Ella Braca Jobim.” When Karina Corradini settles down to deliver the beautiful ballad, “If You Went Away,” her delivery makes me want to fall in love again. This is an elegant, sincere vocalist who knows how to sell lyrics and deliver them with the tone and emotional fortitude that keeps an audience engaged and captivated.
En Español:
KARINA CORRADINI - "BRIDGE TO INFINITY" Un homenaje a Zane Musa
Independent Label
Karina Corradini, vocalista / productora; Mahesh Balasooriya, piano; Christian McBride, productor / bajista; René Camacho, bajo; Marty "Smitty" Smith, tambores; Munyungo Jackson, percusión; Zane Musa, saxofon; Nolan Shaheed, trompeta.
Desde el primer corte de este álbum, "You Turned the Tables On Me", Karina Corradini, demuestra que puede "balancearse" con los mejores. Esta vocalista se ha rodeado de una gran cantidad de maravillosos músicos que incluyen a Christian McBride en el bajo (que co-produjo este álbum), Mahesh Balasooriya en el piano, Nolan Shaheed en la trompeta y Munyungo Jackson en la percusión. Ella está rindiendo homenaje a su querido amigo, el increíble, Zane Musa, quien abandonó la Tierra demasiado pronto. Zane Musa puso sus bendiciones de saxofón en esta grabación antes de su muerte. La Sra. Corradini canta una serie de grandes estándares antiguos, con arreglos ricos y gran sinceridad. Sus letras están teñidas con un toque de acento y me pregunté de dónde es. Cuando canta, "Cuando Vuelva a tu lado" en portugués, escucho sus raíces brasileñas brillar y florecer. Pero descubro (por su publicista) que ella no es brasileña en absoluto, sino que es una mezcla de argentina e italiana, nacida en San Isidro, Argentina. Aún así, ella entrega una hermosa interpretación en inglés y portugués. Disfruté de la lenta y ondulante interpretación en samba de "I could Have Told YOU", con las adiciones de percusión y percusión de Munyungo Jackson destacando el ritmo y un destacado solo de Mahesh Balasooriya en las ochenta y ocho teclas. En "Doralice", del gran compositor, Dorival Caymmi, Karina Corradini regresa al portugués y la emoción de la música brasileña de ritmo rápido , alegre y contagioso en "Cai Dentro". Marvin "Smitty" Smith es el catalizador que impulsa la música hacia adelante atrapa los tambores y bloquea un ritmo estrecho con Christian McBride en el bajo. La Sra. Corradini utilizó los arreglos de Eric Bulling, quien los escribió para el álbum de Ella Fitzgerald, "Ella Abraça Jobim". Cuando Karina Corradini se establece para entregar la hermosa balada, "If You Went Away", su entrega me da ganas de volverme a enamorarme. Esta es un vocalista elegante y sincera que sabe cómo vender letras y entregarlas con el tono y la fortaleza emocional que mantiene a un público atento y cautivado.