4 Stars From Downbeat + All About Jazz For Hard Swinging Trio Duchess’s ‘Laughing Out Life’ Out This Week On Anzic

New York’s beloved hard-swinging vocal trio Duchess will release their new album ‘Laughing At Life’ tomorrow, February 10th on Anzic Records. The album puts a fresh Duchess spin on deep classic cuts from Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, Duke Ellington, Ray Charles and more, shooting them through with a modern insouciance in a package that’s utterly up-to-date. The 14-track collection, featuring contributions from Wycliffe Gordon and Anat Cohen, is streaming exclusively on WBGO a day ahead of its release. Listen here: http://wbgo.org/post/radar-duchess-laughing-life#stream/0

Praise for ‘Laughing At Life’:

“Sunny dispositions, sophisticated vocals delivered without pretension, wonderful arrangements, strong interpretive sills, and excellent instrumental performances….a winner from start to finish” –All About Jazz / 4 STARS

“For a good time, call Duchess” – Downbeat / 4 STARS

“What they sing is harder than it sounds. Much harder. And always swinging……they articulate each note of the melody, each word of the lyric, often almost supersonically.” –WBGO

In addition to the new album, the trio recently launched their very own original podcast called “Harmony and Hijinks” – where they explore the idea of harmony and their love of cocktails, cuisine, fellow performers, chefs, and more in a carefree, hilarious continuation of Duchess live in concert. Episodes will feature Cecile McLorin Salvant, Janis Siegel, GRAMMY-nominated singer Jane Monheit and more. Listen here: www.harmonyandhijinks.com

Duchess has performed at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Monterey Jazz Festival, Jazz Standard, Toronto and Ottowa Jazz Festivals, and shared stages with Christian McBride, Kat Edmonson, Wycliffe Gordon, Jeff Goldblum, and more. The ladies kick off a Midwestern tour in support of the new album next week, and will perform 8 sets over 4 nights at the prohibition-era jazz club 55 BAR in New York’s West Village in celebration of their new release, from February 22-25. Full dates below.

DUCHESS TOUR:

Feb 16 – Cleveland - Nighttown

Feb 17 – Chicago – Winter’s Jazz Club – 3 SETS 

Feb 18 – Akron – Blujazz + free masterclass at 6PM

Feb 22-25 – NYC – 55 Bar – 8 SETS, CD RELEASE SHOWS

March 23-25 – Toronto – The Jazz Bistro

www.duchesstrio.com  |  www.anzicrecords.com